Tokyo offers a variety of exciting events and festivals throughout the year. This calendar lists the main annual events in the city, with estimated dates when necessary.
Table of Contents
January
Emperor’s New Year Greeting
Date: January 2
Location: Imperial Palace
Description: A rare event where the Emperor makes a public appearance and greets citizens, a tradition welcoming the new year.
Tokyo Auto Salon
Date: Early January (between January 8 and 10)
Location: Makuhari Messe
Description: One of the largest modified car shows in the world, featuring tuned vehicles and automotive products.
Sumo Basho – New Year
Date: January 8 to 22
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Description: The first sumo tournament of the year, attracting fans from all over Japan to watch matches between the top wrestlers.
February
Ume Tree Season (Plum Trees)
Date: Early February to early March
Location: Parks and temples throughout the city
Description: The plum tree season blooms at the end of winter, announcing the arrival of spring with beautiful landscapes.
Tokyo Marathon
Date: Late February
Location: Various points around the city
Description: One of the most popular marathons in the world, bringing together professional and amateur runners to compete on the streets of Tokyo.
March
Saint Patrick’s Parade
Date: Around March 15
Location: Omotesando
Description: A celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, featuring a colorful parade honoring Irish culture in the heart of Tokyo.
Sakura Season (Cherry Blossoms)
Date: Late March to mid-April
Location: Parks in Tokyo (Ueno, Shinjuku Gyoen, etc.)
Description: The famous cherry blossom season, attracting millions of people to admire the beauty of the light pink flowers.
April
Earth Day in Tokyo
Date: Mid-April
Location: Yoyogi Park
Description: An event dedicated to environmental awareness, featuring workshops, organic food stalls, and sustainability-focused activities.
Nakizumo – Crying Baby Festival
Date: Late April (around the 29th)
Location: Sensoji Temple
Description: A traditional competition where babies are placed face to face to see who cries the loudest, in a ritual for good luck.
May
Meiji Shrine – Spring Festival
Date: May 2 to 3
Location: Meiji Shrine
Description: A traditional festival celebrating the arrival of spring with Shinto ceremonies and traditional dance performances.
Sumo Basho – Summer
Date: May 8 to 22
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Description: The second major sumo tournament of the year, offering more exciting matches at the traditional Ryogoku stadium.
Sanja Matsuri
Date: Third weekend of May
Location: Sensoji Temple
Description: One of the grandest festivals in Tokyo, featuring processions of portable shrines (mikoshi) through the streets of Asakusa.
June
Rainy Season (Tsuyu)
Date: Early June to mid-July
Location: Tokyo and surrounding areas
Description: The rainy season in Tokyo, marked by periods of heavy rainfall leading up to summer.
Sanno Matsuri
Date: First half of June (event held in even years)
Location: Hie Shrine
Description: A historic festival celebrating prosperity and peace in Tokyo, with traditional parades throughout the city.
July
Beach Season in Tokyo
Date: July 18 to August 31
Location: Tokyo Bay Beaches
Description: The official beach season in Tokyo, featuring seaside events, water sports, and family-friendly activities.
Sumidagawa Hanabi (Fireworks)
Date: Last Saturday of July
Location: Asakusa
Description: One of the largest fireworks festivals in Japan, lighting up the Tokyo sky with thousands of spectacular fireworks.
Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri
Date: Late July
Location: Shinjuku
Description: A traditional dance festival inspired by Okinawan rituals, with groups performing in the bustling streets of Shinjuku.
August
Edogawa Hanabi (Fireworks)
Date: Early August
Location: Shinozaki Park
Description: A fireworks display that lights up the sky in the Edogawa area, creating a magical night along the river.
Itabashi Hanabi
Date: Early August
Location: Itabashi
Description: Another major fireworks show, known for its colorful displays and the participation of thousands of spectators.
Sendai Tanabata Matsuri
Date: August 6 to 8
Location: Sendai
Description: The Tanabata festival celebrates the meeting of the stars Altair and Vega, with colorful decorations filling the streets.
Summer Sonic
Date: Second half of August
Location: Makuhari Messe
Description: One of the largest music festivals in Japan, featuring international and local acts presenting a mix of musical genres.
Asakusa Samba Carnival
Date: Last Saturday of August
Location: Asakusa
Description: A vibrant samba parade that transforms Asakusa into a Brazilian carnival, with music, dance, and colorful costumes.
September
Sumo Basho – Autumn
Date: September 10 to 24
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Description: The third major sumo tournament of the year, marking the start of autumn with epic battles between the best wrestlers.
Hibiya Oktoberfest
Date: Mid-September
Location: Hibiya Park
Description: A festival inspired by the traditional German Oktoberfest, featuring craft beers and typical foods.
Tokyo Game Show
Date: Late September
Location: Makuhari Messe
Description: The largest video game fair in Japan, showcasing the latest releases in the gaming industry.
October
Yosakoi Tokyo Contest
Date: Early October
Location: Ikebukuro
Description: A Yosakoi dance competition that mixes traditional elements with modern choreography, attracting teams from all over Japan.
CEATEC
Date: First week of October
Location: Makuhari Messe
Description: The CEATEC technology fair showcases the latest innovations in technology, electronics, and AI.
Shibuya Halloween
Date: October 31
Location: Shibuya
Description: One of the largest Halloween events in Japan, where thousands of people dress up and take to the streets of Shibuya for a night of celebration.
November
Autumn in Tokyo (colored leaves)
Date: Early November to mid-December
Location: Parks in Tokyo
Description: The season of colorful autumn leaves, with stunning landscapes in parks such as Shinjuku Gyoen and Rikugien Park.
Meiji Shrine – Autumn Festival
Date: November 1 to 3
Location: Meiji Shrine
Description: An autumn festival celebrating the harvest and prosperity, featuring cultural performances and traditional rituals.
Christmas Lights
Date: Early November to early January
Location: Various areas of the city (Roppongi, Shibuya, Ginza)
Description: The streets of Tokyo light up with impressive Christmas decorations, creating a magical atmosphere throughout the city.
December
Chichibu Night Matsuri
Date: December 2 to 3
Location: Chichibu
Description: One of the largest night festivals in Japan, known for its procession of illuminated floats and fireworks.
Emperor’s Birthday
Date: December 23
Location: Imperial Palace
Description: A celebration in honor of the Emperor’s birthday, with special events at the Imperial Palace.
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