August 2022 events in Tokyo

Late August is always a good time for dancing in the streets, with many major festivals happening around this time of year. The Yosakoi dance originated in Kochi prefecture in 1954, where it was intended to help revitalise the struggling post-war economy. Tokyo's very own Super Yosakoi festival, while relatively new, has been going on for over two decades now.

The massive event sees 79-odd teams of brightly attired dancers trying to outdo each other as they strut their stuff to the rhythm of the naruko – a type of clapper that the people of Kochi originally used to scare birds away from their fields.

Before the pandemic, this popular Awa-Odori dance festival saw about 10,000 dancers pile out onto the streets of Koenji. The event this year, however, will be held indoors instead. Different dance teams will perform four shows at Za Koenji theatre’s two halls over the weekend of August 27-28.

The tradition of Awa-Odori can be traced back to Tokushima in Shikoku. Legend has it that the local daimyo plied his citizens with booze to celebrate the completion of the local castle in 1586, leading to a citywide outbreak of dancing in the streets. Whatever the accuracy of that tale, the enthusiasm was contagious, and Koenji has been holding a street dance fest of its own since 1957.

It’s ¥5,500 per show and tickets go on sale on August 2. As there are two halls with shows running concurrently, different dance troupes perform at the same time, so check the schedule before you book.  

Yukata-clad spectators crowd the streets of Harajuku and Aoyama during the mesmerising Jingu Gaien Fireworks, a display that ranks as one of Tokyo's top summer festivals. Now in its 41st year, the event will boast 12,000 fireworks.

The cluster of sports stadiums to the south of Sendagaya Station offer the best vantage points, albeit at a significant premium. Expect to pay between ¥4,000 and ¥9,000 for a seat, with the priciest ones at the main stage of the event: Meiji Jingu Stadium.

Tickets include a programme of J-pop performances in the run-up to the fireworks themselves – one of the acts is hip hop band Funky Monkey Baby’s. Alternatively, just wander around the surrounding area until you find somewhere you can see the action for free.

Tickets go on sale on July 1 at 10am. In case of stormy weather, the festival will be postponed to August 21. 

Every Saturday, Sunday and holiday at 7.45pm, you can enjoy spectacular fireworks at Seibuen Amusement Park. The hanabi (fireworks) is part of the park’s Daihi Matsuri, a daily summer event with dance performances by staff dressed in Japanese attire.

The celebration takes place in Leoland, an area in Seibuen inspired by characters from the anime ‘Astro Boy’ and ‘Kimba the White Lion’. To avoid being sandwiched in the crowd, you can reserve a table from ¥6,000 per group of six.

(You might be able to catch the fireworks outside the theme park. So keep an eye out if you’re in the area.)

What this music festival lacks in terms of a picturesque setting, it more than makes up for in convenience. While other festivals boast views of rolling hills or stunning lakes, Summer Sonic has easy access from the city, an abundance of clean toilets and a cracking lineup – sometimes that’s all you need.

After cancelling the 2020 due to the pandemic, and holding a smaller scale sister festival, Supersonic, in 2021, the full Summer Sonic is finally returning this year with an impressive lineup of international and local artists. This two-day summer fest has announced that American rapper Post Malone and English rock band The 1975 will be headlining the show. Alongside them will be a range of artists including pop icon Carly Rae Jepsen (celebrating ten years since her breakout hit ‘Call Me Maybe’), K-pop girl group 2NE1, hip hop hitmaker Megan Thee Stallion, punk band The Offspring, Japanese rock band One Ok Rock and much more. More artists will be announced over the next few months in the lead up to the festival on August 20 and 21.

While the schedule hasn’t been released yet, pre-sale tickets exclusively for Creativeman members will go on sale from February 18 via the membership website. So there’s still time to sign up as a member to get access to the pre-sale. Details on ticket sales for the general public will be announced soon. 

Held as a warm-up for Summer Sonic each year, the all-night Sonicmania party caters to dance kids who aren't as well served by the main festival itself. After a four-year hiatus, this year's edition is back at Makuhari Messe featuring both international and local artists. You’ll get to see appearances by UK rock bands including Kasabian and Primal Scream, synth-pop band The Human League, Japan's very own '90s dance warhorses Denki Groove and DJs like Madeon and Boys Noize with their electronic house tunes.

The line-up is expected to expand with more artists in the following weeks, so check the website to keep up with the latest information.

Music festivals are making a comeback this summer with a host of international artists. J-Pop and K-Pop fans are not left out, too, with the Super Music Festival happening in Odaiba on August 20 and 21.

On the lineup are over 70 artists including famous K-pop idols like Everglow, Wei, Momoland and MustB. Representing Japan are pop artists Che Nelle and Keiji Kawasima as well as anime singers such as Yurika and Rica Matsumoto. 

The music festival will incorporate all aspects of Japanese pop culture from anime and cosplay to Awa Odori dances. There’s even a supercar exhibition featuring around ten exotic vehicles you can take photos with. The festival venue is divided into eight areas, with plenty of activity booths and food trucks to keep you entertained in between performances. 

Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Pia.

The Disney on Ice musical is touring Japan with several shows being held across the country. This year’s performance marks the 35th anniversary of the wholesome, family-friendly show since its debut in Japan in 1986.

Disney on Ice sees a number of the franchise’s most popular characters in skates, singing and dancing on the ice rink. The story begins with Tinker Bell’s capture by pirates. Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy then embark on a journey to rescue her by travelling through different Disney stories such as Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, Moana and Coco, as well as Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and Frozen.

Unlike your usual theatre shows, here you are encouraged to take photos and videos throughout the performance and share them on social media. The next shows in Greater Tokyo are scheduled for August 18 to 22 in Yokohama, September 17 to 19 in Saitama, and September 23 to 25 in Makuhari.

Known as a 'love shrine', Kawagoe Hikawa in Saitama prefecture attracts plenty of hopeful singles seeking help in finding the partner of their dreams. This relatively new summer festival is another chance to do just that, as the hot summer night atmosphere and pretty light-ups (6.30pm-8pm) ensure that love is in the air.

About 1,500 colourful fuurin (wind chimes) adorn the shrine grounds. There are also stalls selling food and drinks. Of note is the shrine café, where you’ll find wind chime-inspired ice cream (¥400).

Summer time is festival time, as such Shibuya Yokocho food alley at Miyashita Park is offering all kinds of matsuri (festival) games and activities throughout July and August. You can enjoy goldfish and yoyo scooping, draw an omikuji fortune slip, fuel up on cotton candy, and more. So come dress up in a yukata and join in the festivities for free. (Note: goldfish scooping is only available from July 16 to 18).

Between July 11 and 24, the restaurants here will offer otoko-ume sour, a popular alcoholic beverage made from umeboshi (dried plums). And then from August 22, Kochi prefecture’s sake brewery Suigei Shuzo will be introducing a new way of enjoying nihonshu by adding squeezed lemon, orange or grapefruit to its signature rice wine.

The eateries are open from 11am to 5am from Monday to Saturday and the day before holidays, and from 11am to 11pm on Sundays and holidays.