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.
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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