If you are in Japan this summer, we highly recommend you attend at least one 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals. Here are our top 20 recommend Tokyo Summer Festivals. Festivals are one of our favorite summer activities with the family. Despite the heat and humidity, throw on your yukata and head to a Tokyo Summer Festival. I love the noise, sights, and smells at Japanese summer festivals. All of your senses are bombarded at once screaming “Japan.” Also checkout our favorite Tokyo firework festivals this summer.
The list will be updated with more details as the summer progresses. The list below is in order of the Tokyo Summer Festival date.
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2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Top Tokyo Summer Festivals Matsuri – 夏祭り
July 6 – 8, 2019: Iriya Asagao Matsuri (入谷朝顔まつり Morning Glory Festival) (Shitaya, Taito-ku) – More than 100 vendors are on hand to sell their Irya plants and flowers to you at this annual event. The Iriya is a very popular summer flower in Japan; a symbol of the goddess of childbirth and children. Over 400,000 visitors will come to shop and have fun searching for flowers, food stalls, and other merchandise.
Address:Iriya Kishimojin, 1-12-16 Shitaya, Taito-Ku
Date: July 6 – July 8, 2019
Time: July 6 & 7 – 17:00 – 21:00, July 8 12:00 – 21:30
Access: Train to Uguisudani Station (JR Yamanote Line or Keihin Tohoku Line) then a 5 min walk or Metro to Iriya Station (Hibiya Line) then a 1 min walk
Website: http://www.asagao-maturi.com/
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 1 – 7, 2019: Tokyo Daijingu Tanabata Kigansai (Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku) – Enjoy the festival from July 1 to 7 to celebrate Tanabata. Make a wish on a tanzaku slip for 300 yen and hang it a nearby bamboo. The bamboo with beautiful colored slips of paper will be illuminated on Tanabata night, July 7th. A beautiful sight.
Address:Tokyo Daijingu, 2-4-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo (東京都千代田区富士見2-4-1)
Date: July 1 – July 7, 2019 (illumination on July 7)
Time: 14:30 – 22:00
Website: http://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/saiten/ (Japanese language only)
Access: 3 min walk from JR Iidabashi Station; 5 min walk from Tokyo Metro Tozai Line / Namboku Line / Yurakucho Line / Toei Oedo Line Iidabashi Station
***** Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 1 – 7, 2019 : Zojoji Tanabata Festival (Shiba, Minato-ku) – Grab a friend or bring your family and appreciate the hundreds of candles displayed on July 7th. Join Zojoji as they celebrate the Tanabata festival, the night when two lovers separated by the Milky Way meet. Write your dream and wishes on colorful tanzaku and enjoy the matsuri stalls or the romantic atmosphere.
Address: Zojoji Temple,4-7-35 Shiba-koen, Shiba-Koen
Date: July 1 – July 7, 2019 (Candles are lit up on July 6 & July 7 after sunset)
Time: 09:00 – 21:00
Access:Metro to Shiba-Koen Station (Mita Line) A4 exit or Daimon Station (Asakusa Line, Oedo Line) A6 exit
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***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 2 – Aug 5, 2019: Fuurin Matsuri (Nishiarai, Adachi-ku)– A fuurinmeans wind chime in Japanese. Summer is a time when Japanese families place glass, metal and ceramic 
fuurinsin their gardens to hear the beautiful ting-a-lings of summer breezes. At the Adachi Nishiarai Daishi temple fuurin craft people from across Japan set up booths to sell their creations. There are thousands of fuurinon display and if the breeze is blowing the sound is amazing. Highly recommend the beauty of sight and sound.
Event: Monday, July 2nd– Sunday, August 5, 2019; 10:00 – 16:00, Sundays until 17:00
Address:Nishiarai Daishi, 1-15-1 Nishiarai, Adachi-ku, Tokyo
Phone:03-3890-2345
Website:www.nishiaraidaishi.or.jp
Access: 5 min walk from Daishimae Station on the Tobu Daishi Line
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 6 & 7, 2019: Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri (Kappabashi, Asakusa) – This festival is a fun event which runs between the Asakusa shrines and Kappabashi Dori (Kitchen town) so you can spend a fun full day in the area. The streets are lined with colorful streamers from July 3 – 9, but the main vendors, performers, and parades are on Saturday and Sunday.
Address: Kappabashi-Dori, Asakusa
Date: Saturday, July 6 – Sunday, July 7, 2019
Time: Sat 10:00 – 20:00 and Sun 10:00-19:00
Access:Asakusa Station (Ginza Line, Asakusa Line), JR (Tobu Skytree Line, Tsukuba Express)
Website: http://shitamachi-tanabata.com/ (Japanese link)
***** Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 5 – 7, 2019: Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri (Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa-Ken) – This is one of the 
largest Tanabata festivals in the Kanto area. It is well known for the huge size of the tanbata decorations, lively parade and illuminations. I have never had the chance to attend, but my friends speak highly of the event.
Dates and hours: Friday, July 5 – Sunday, July 7, 2019; Runs from around noon to 21:00 on Saturday and until 20:00 on Sunday
Address: Whole city around JR Hiratsuka Station north exit mall (Beniyacho, Hiratsuka-shi, akasityou play a key role.)
Official website: http://www.tanabata-hiratsuka.com/
Access:2 min walk from JR Hiratsuka Station north exit
It is approximately 60 minutes by … JR Tokaido Main Line from Tokyo Station.
It is approximately 65 minutes by … JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 9 – 10, 2019: Asakusa Hozuki-Ichi (Asakusa, Taito-ku) – Senso-Ji is of the oldest temples and a great place to celebrate July 10th. It is believed that if you make a prayer on July 10th at this temple that it is worth 46,000 other prayer days. Needless to say, this temple is very busy on July 10th. You will also find over 250 vendors selling ground cherry pod plants (Hozuki-Ichi) and wind chimes; both symbols of summer in Japan.
Address: Senso-ji Temple, 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo
Date: Tuesday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Time: 8:00 – 20:00
Access: 8 min walk from Asakusa Station Metro (Ginza Line, Asakusa Line), JR (Tobu Skytree Line, Tsukuba Express)
Website: http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 13 – 16, 2019: Mitama Matsuri (Kudansita, Chiyoda-ku) – One of the most attended festivals in Tokyo. This festival is to honor the dead each year, and over 30,000 lanterns are displayed. This festival does not offer food or drink but has a great line-up of traditional dances, music performances.
Address: Yasukuni Shrine,3-1-1 Kudan-kita, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Date: Saturday, July 13 – Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Time:18:00 – 21:00 (Lanterns will light up during this time)
Access:Kudanshita Station Metro (Hanzomon Line, Shinjuku Line and Tozai Line) then a 10 min walk
Website: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/schedule/mitama.html (English Link)
**** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 13-14, 2019: Setagaya Firefly Festival and Sagiso Market (Kamimachi, Setagaya-ku)– If you have attended the twice-annual Setagaya Boroichi, you will know where you are going. This entire market street is taken over by food, game, and merchandise vendors. You will also be able to see the local flowers and fireflies as a special treat during the festival. The fireflies are brought into the grounds of the feudal lord Daikanyashiki’s house (during the Edo period) and fly around for the two evenings. An excellent opportunity to see the grounds and fireflies from 19:00-21:00 both evenings.
Address:Boroichi-dori, Kamimachi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Date:Saturday, July 13 – Sunday, July 14, 2019
Time:13:00 – 21:00
Access: 10 min walk from Kamimachi Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line
Website: Japanese event page http://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 13 – August 12, 2019: Ueno Summer Festival 2019 (Ueno)– This is a summer festival not to be missed. While you are in Ueno I highly recommend you visit the National Museum of Nature and Science. The festival is throughout the park and includes music, food booths, plant sales and all kinds of antiques for sale. You can also enjoy the beautiful lanterns that are set a float on Shinobazu Pond. Put on your Yukata one summer day and enjoy.
Event:Saturday, July 13th – Sunday, August 12, 2019
Time:Everyday 9:00 – 20:00
Address:Shinobazu Pond area, 2-Ueno Koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Phone:03-3832-0084Website:www.city.taito.lg.jp/index/event/kanko/uenonathumathuri.html
Access:5 min walk from Ueno Station (Park Exit) on the JR Line, Ginza Line and Hibiya Line
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 16 -July 18, 2019: Yutenji Temple Matsuri (Yutenji)– Yutenji Temple holds their annual Yutenji Mitama Matsuri (祐天寺み魂まつり) on July 16, 17 & 18, 2019. Parents and children from the neighbouring school, Yutenji kindergarten, participate by dancing in colourful yukatas every year. Stop by the grounds late afternoon to learn about the eight different Temple structures and buildings then stay late for the dance festival, food stalls and games. Don a yukata and join in the fun!
Event: Tuesday, July 16th – Thursday, July 18th, 2019. You can read all about the Yutenji Temple and Festival here.
Time: 10:00 – 20:00
Address: 5-24-53 Nakameguro, Meguro, Tokyo (東京都目黒区中目黒５丁目２４－５３)
Phone: 03-3712-0819
Access: A 5 min walk from Yutenji Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line (Google Map)
Website: http://www.yutenji.or.jp/ (in Japanese)
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 24-27, 2019: Kagurazaka Matsuri (神楽坂まつり) (Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku) – This is a festival that you will definitely want to wear a yukata. If you wear a yukata the first two nights (Wednesday or Thursday), you can pick-up a lantern at Bishamonten (Zenkokuji) temple and join a group to tour the area. On Friday and Saturday, the festival becomes a bit busier and exciting as dancing begins and restaurants join in with great food and beverages discounted for visitors in yukata.
Event:Wednesday, July 24 – Saturday, July 27th, 2019
Time: July 25 & 26 17:30 – 22:00 is Ground Cherry Fair; July 26 & 27 17:00 – 21:00 is Awa Dori
Address: Bishamonten Zenkokuji, Kagurazaka
Website:http://kagurazaka6.jimdo.com
Access: The festival held in the Kagurazaka 1-6 neighbourhoods accessible via the Ushigome Kagurazaka station on the Oedo Line or Iidabashi Station on the Chuo-sobu, Tozai, Namboku or Oedo Lines.
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
July 27, 2019: Shinjuku Eisa Festival Kagurazaka Matsuri (新宿エイサーまつり) (Shinjuku) – Eisa dance is a traditional dance of Okinawa, which was originally conducted for the worship of ancestral spirits during the Obon period. However post WWII Eisa dancing has changed to focus more on youth and cultural competition in Okinawa where young groups of Eisa performers show great creatively in their music and dance. At the Shinjuku Festival, you can see close to 25 dance groups perform. Great way to experience Okinawa culture.
Event: Saturday, July 27th, 2019
Time:12:00 – 20:00
Address: Shinjuku station east exit area
Website: http://www.shinjuku-eisa.com/ (In Japanese)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shinjuku.eisa/
2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Top Tokyo Summer Festivals Matsuri – 夏祭り
August 2 – 4, 2019: Hachijoji Festival (八王子まつり)– This is one of the largest festivals in Tokyo with over 750,000
people attending. The main highlights include the close to 20 floats and portal shrines. During the progression of floats and shines rival teams compete with cheers and music. A lot of power, sweat and passion in this festival so watch your little ones.
Date:Friday, August 2nd – Sunday, August 4th, 2019
Time:Friday from 18:30 ~, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 – 20:00
Website: http://www.hachiojimatsuri.jp
Access:Area around the north side of Hachioji Station
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
August 7 – 10, 2019: Tsukiji Honganji Temple Noryo Bon-odori (Tsukiji) – This four day matsuri is one of the most popular due to the amazing Taiko performances and dances. The festival is held on the grounds of the Tsukiji Honganji Temple and overflows into the outer markets of Tsukiji. Although the fish market has been moved this festival will continue strong.
Date: Wednesday, August 7th – Saturday, August 10 2019
Time: Wed-Frifrom 19:00 ~21:00, Saturday 18:00 – 20:30
Address: 3-15-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Website: http://www.hachiojimatsuri.jp
Access:Area around the north side of Hachioji Station
***** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
August 17 – August 18, 2019; The 54th Shimokitazawa Ichibangai Awa-Odori (Shimokitazawa) – Great food, music and Awa Dori Dance. I believe this is one of the best neighborhood festivals in Japan. Do not take your stroller or pets since it is a very busy festival in narrow streets. Enjoy Shimokitazawa which is an artsy and young neighborhood.
Event Dates: Saturday & Sunday, August 17 & 18, 2019; 18:30 – 20:30
Address: Held in the small streets around the station. Shimokitazawa area , Shimokitazawa
Website: http://www.shimokita1ban.com/en/awaodori
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August 24-25, 2019: Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi Festival (Harajuku/Omotesando) – The Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri festival is a two day festival in the center of fashion forward Harajuku and Omotesando. Over 5,000 dancers from 100 teams come to Japan to dance.
Address: Matsuri takes place around Harajuku and Omotesando, Shibuya-ku
Event dates and time: Saturday, August 24th, 2019 10:00 – 20:00, Sunday, August 25th, 2019 10:00 -17:30
Website:http://www.super-yosakoi.tokyo/ (Japanese language only)
Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/spyosakoi/
Access: 1 min walk from Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line or Chiyoda Line; 2 min walk from the Meiji-jingumae Harajuku Station on the Fukutoshin Line
**** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
August 24-25, 2019: Koenji Awa-Odori (Kenji, Suginami-ku) – This festival is short (3 hours), but filled with 
extreme energy both Saturday and Sunday night. This year is the 62nd Koenji Awadori which has over 10,000 dancers both professional and everyday fun folk having a great time. Over one million people are said to attend this festival so be ready for a crowd. Enjoy an energetic evening dancing away.
Address: Koenjiminami 2, 3, 6 4-chomes, and Koenjikita 2 & 3-chomes, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (held in shopping streets north and south of JR Koenji Station)
Event date and time: Saturday, August 24th – Sunday, August 25th; 17:00 – 20:00 each day
Website: http://koenji-awaodori.com/index.html(Japanese language only, there is an English tab but no content)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TokyoKoenjiAwaodori/
Access:Koenji Station in on the JR Chuo and Sobu Lines.
**** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
August 24-25, 2019: Azabu-Juban Noryo Festival 2019 (Azabu Juban, Minato-ku) – This is one of my favorite annual festivals. The main Azabu shopping street and side streets are closed down to traffic and filled with festival goers enjoying local restaurant specialties. Ajiro Park (aka the slide park) is filled with games for the kids and musical live entertainment each night. Dress the family in Yukata and enjoy. This festival is so crowded that I highly advise not to bring strollers or pets. If you want to avoid the crazy time of 18:00 – 21:00 go when it opens from 15:00 – 17:00.
Address: main shopping street and side streets
Dates and times: Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th; 15:00 – 21:00 both days
Website: www.azabujuban.or.jp
Access: Azabu Juban station on the Namboku or Oedo Lines
*** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
August 31, 2019: Asakusa Samba Matsuri (浅草サンバ) (Asakusa)– If you love Samba, this is the place to be Saturday, August 25th! Brazil and Japan are deeply intertwined since millions of Japanese migrated to Brazil in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. If you ever want to learn more about Japan migration history check out the Japan Overseas Migration Museumin Yokohama. The Asakusa Samba Matsuri is celebrating the 37th year and is one of the biggest summer festivals in Japan. Over one half a million people come to see 16 teams compete for the grand award. The parade of samba dancers, floats and drummers travel down Kaminarimon Dori in front of the huge Asakusa shrine gate (Kaminarimon Gate). I find the best place to access and view is closer to Tawaramachi Station on the Ginza Line (always thinking about kids 
with easy in and easy out).
Address: Kaminarimon Dori in Asakusa
Event dates and times: Saturday, August 31st, 2019; 13:00 – 18:00
Website: http://www.asakusa-samba.org/ (Japanese language only)
Access:Asakusa Station on the Tobu Skytree Line, Toei Asakusa Line or Ginza Line, or Tawaramachi on the Ginza Line.
**** 2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Best Japanese Festivals – 夏祭り*****
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2019 Tokyo Summer Festivals – Top Tokyo Summer Festivals Matsuri – 夏祭り
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