Things to do in Tokyo this week

Goodbye rainy season, hello summer heat: the serious scorch has arrived in Tokyo, which means it's also time for yukata, fireworks and dancing in the streets. One of the best ways to make the city's steamy nights a little more bearable is to visit some of the summer festivals taking place all across Tokyo. The celebrations start annually around Tanabata (July 7) and continue with events dedicated to everything from sunflowers to Bon-Odori and Awa-Odori dances.

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.)

Explore the inside of the majestic Japan National Stadium designed by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma with this summer-only nighttime tour between 5.30pm and 9pm. You’ll be able to enjoy views of the stadium from the north-side bleachers on the fourth floor.

It’s not strictly a tour per se, as you can move around freely and take photos in designated areas. Drop by the beer terrace on the fourth floor, where you can enjoy draft beer, sours and highballs, plus a variety of snacks such as edamame and sausages.

Tickets are only ¥500 and can be purchased here.

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.

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.

This stellar a cappella performance at Tokyu Theatre Orb in Shibuya’s Hikarie shopping mall presents a series of Disney’s biggest hits. The six-member group don’t only sing but also produce melodies and sounds of different instruments using only their vocal cords.

The stage is set up with three large screens to show scenes from popular Disney movies to match each of the 31 songs. With performances in English and Japanese, the show features Coco’s ‘The World Es Mi Familia’, Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’ and ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?’, Lion King’s ‘Circle of Life’, Encanto’s ‘We Don't Talk About Bruno’, and many more.

The a capella group even sing medleys of songs from Disneyland theme park’s most beloved rides – think Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s a Small World, and the Haunted Mansion.

Tickets start at ¥5,800 and can be purchased here.

Tokyo Skytree is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year with special light-ups on weekdays between August 16 and 31. Along with its three regular light-ups, the iconic tower has put on many special light shows since opening in 2012, themed on the different seasons, characters, movies and more.

Out of the 150 versions, Tokyo Skytree will reintroduce 23 of them in August. Don’t miss the light-ups inspired by ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015) on August 17 and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) on August 18 as well as the one commemorating Barbie’s 60th anniversary in 2019 on August 22.

There’s also a bright yellow Pikachu light-up on August 24, and five different Evangelion-themed light-shows alternating throughout the evening of August 29. See the full schedule here (in Japanese only).

The special light-ups run from 7.15pm to 12 midnight, Monday to Friday. 

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.

Atre Takeshiba shopping mall is hosting a music party at its waterfront public square every Friday from August 5 to October 28 – and the event is free. You can take in spectacular view of Tokyo Bay from this urban oasis while listening to groovy house music, jazz, soul and R&B music played by local DJs including DJ 8Man, DJ Watari, Eita Godo, Rina, Ren Yokoi, Shintaro and many more. There are plenty of restaurants with terrace seating and takeout options so you can comfortably relax outdoors.

If you’re looking to sip on ice-cold beer, Brauertafel is offering a range of craft beers and alcoholic cider, some of which aren’t available elsewhere in Japan. For cocktails, we recommend Bank 30 for its fruity gin tonic and mojito – get a side of tapas while you’re at it.

Harry Potter isn’t the only franchise to open a pop-up café in Tokyo this summer. To celebrate four seasons of ‘Stranger Things’, Il Pronto Bar at Shibuya Fukuras is launching a special pop-up café in collaboration with Netflix, which will open from July 6 through September 4. The menu for the collab café, called Stranger Pronto, will be modelled on classic American diner dishes that have appeared in the series. There are 13 limited-time dishes, including El’s very first hamburger (¥1,650) and an ice cream sundae (¥1,100) inspired by Dustin’s love of chocolate.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ‘Sailor Moon’ franchise and the city is pulling out all the stops to celebrate these iconic ‘90s superheroes. The exclusive events include this vast exhibition that’s set to run through the end of the year at the Roppongi Museum, boasting over 600 pieces of ‘Sailor Moon’ costumes, storyboards and memorabilia. 

Beginning with the original manga drawings of series creator Naoko Takeuchi and leading up to an immersive room complete with special effect images and coloured lasers, this dazzling showcase is so extensive that it may as well be its own museum, hence the exhibition title.

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.

Fitted with 360-degree digital dome theatres, Konica Minolta Planetaria is an excellent place to go if you wanted a break from Tokyo's brightly lit nighttime skyline and gaze up at a star-filled galaxy. Constellations, however, aren’t the only thing that get projected onto these immersive dome ceilings.

This summer, the planetarium in Yurakucho is putting on a special tribute to legendary rock band Queen. The programme, which begins in July and runs through late November, features 80 minutes of the British band’s greatest hits, concert footage and commentary from Queen’s legendary lead guitarist Brian May.

The 360-degree experience is one that a number of planetariums around the world have hosted following its 2001 debut in Germany, but it’s taken a while for the immersive spectacle to reach Japan. In honour of the band and its legacy, the planetarium's cafe will be serving an exclusive beverage created for the event called 'Delilah', made with the Twinings Earl Grey tea that Freddie Mercury liked to drink at Garden Lodge. 

Tickets can be purchased up to three days before a screening. Screening dates for August onwards will be announced at a later time.

Summer in Japan is hot, humid and heavy. So what could be more refreshing than some wonderful kakigori shaved ice desserts? The annual Omotesando Hills Adult Kakigori Festival, which runs from June 24 to August 31, will have some unique versions of this icy treat. Don't worry about the festival's slightly odd name – it's all about showcasing grown-up versions of this classic childhood treat.

Seven stores featured in the festival will offer special frosted creations with surprising flavour combinations. At Yasaiya-mei you can enjoy a kakigori made with freshly ground wasabi and muskmelon (¥2,000). The shaved ice is placed inside one half of a melon, while a large dollop of melon-and-wasabi-flavoured espuma sits on top.

Bar à vin Partager, on the other hand, serves a kakigori topped with Japan’s famous shine muscat grapes, grape syrup and a shiso leave-flavoured mousse (¥2,300). The surprise, however, is a gorgonzola cheese cream hidden inside the mountain of shaved ice. 

Other exclusive kakigori variations include one made with ground Himalayan rock salt and condensed milk. It’s topped with raspberry sauce and filled with nata de coco jelly (¥2,300). Coffee lovers will enjoy a shaved ice that’s made with espresso from Vietnamese coffee beans, boasting a smokey yet fruity flavour (¥750). It turns into a frappe when mixed with regular and condensed milk. 

Note: some of the festival kakigori are limited to between 10 and 30 servings per day, depending on the store and day of the week. Hours vary by store, see the website for details.

Enjoy a late night stroll under an artificial Milky Way at Tokyo Tower’s main deck. As an alternative solution for constellation lovers, Tokyo Tower has recreated the Milky Way using 21,000 LED lights, so you can gaze up at the (artificial) stars in the middle of the city.

Every 15 minutes the blue LED lights that represent the starry sky turn pink and gold, while the Milky Way changes from white to a rainbow of seven colours. This optical special effect makes the Tokyo skyline look even more mesmerising, as if our beloved city is under a magical starry night.

The event takes place daily from 9.30am until 10pm (until 10.30pm on Sat).

As the days get longer and warmer, it’s time to go on a leisurely cruise at Tokyo Bay and take in the balmy sea breeze. This scenic cruise departs from Takeshiba Terminal at 7.15pm every night until September 11 (weather permitting), and does a lap of the bay all the way to Haneda Airport.

Tickets for just the cruise are priced reasonably at ¥1,500 per person (primary school students ¥500). However, we recommend going for the restaurant plan that comes with a bento meal and unlimited drinks, starting from ¥4,000. On the boat, you can enjoy yukata dance and music performances – you'll find the entertainment schedule here.

Come dressed in a yukata and you’ll get ¥500 off from Sunday to Thursday (excluding holidays). Plus, book your spot online by July 28 to get an additional ¥500 discount.

Step into an enchanted digital forest in this collaborative exhibition between teamLab and Galaxy. This interactive experience is based on the concept of catching different digital animals to study them before releasing them back into their habitat. Rather than using butterfly nets or jars to catch, however, visitors of this digital art space can use an app on their smartphone to collect different animals in the mystical forest. 

Be gentle when approaching these critters! If you try to touch them they might run and disappear into the forest. Instead, aim your phone camera at them so they’ll appear on your screen. You can also work together with other exhibition visitors and create an observation net at your feet by surrounding the animals projected on the floor and shepherding them to the centre of the space. 

While the exhibit is free, reservations are required so as to avoid overcrowding the venue. Each session is an hour long, with the exhibition open from 11am until 7pm daily. You can book a timeslot via the event website.

The end date of this event is yet to be announced. 

teamLab has installed a new work at Volvo Studio Aoyama. The exhibit, which is open to the public for free, is made up of expansive screens featuring blooming flowers that change daily according to the season. The artwork also adapts to the time of day, becoming brighter at sunrise and dimmer as the sun sets.

Interestingly, the artwork is not a pre-recorded video or image. Instead, it's created by a unique computer programme that changes the images continuously in real time. As such, each second is unique and can never be duplicated or seen again.

Good news is that you don’t need a reservation to enjoy this digital artwork. Just drop by Volvo Studio Aoyama whenever you’re in the area. More information on the exhibition here.

Take your kids to this outdoor water play area at the Sagamiko Resort Pleasure Forest amusement park. Kids up to primary school age can enjoy seven inflatable wading pools shaped as elephants, crocodiles, giraffes and other fun animals. Most of the pools even feature slides, with the biggest one measuring 15-metres in length and can be used by up to six kids at the same time. Smaller children will love the elephant pool that comes with a water fountain sprouting from the elephant’s trunk.

The water park is open from 9am to 4pm.

As the weather warms up, bars, hotels and even department stores in Tokyo are opening their roofs and terraces to the public – and with this, the beer garden season officially begins. As we say every year, it just wouldn't be summer without an evening spent idly sipping frosty pints or cool cocktails out in the open air. With the state of emergency completely lifted, many of us have been looking forward to finally spend some quality time with family and friends out in public, and we can finally do that...

Tokyo Midtown Hibiya’s summer event is making it more comfortable for you to spend time outdoors. The Hibiya Step Plaza will feature seating made from recycled wooden pallets, which are decorated with plants and flowers. Come evening, the staircase at the plaza is lit up with blue lights, with the area enveloped in cooling mist from 6pm to 11pm. You can even sip on fruity cocktails such as rosehip cassis sour and kiwi mojito, available from several of the shopping mall’s restaurants from 5pm to 8pm daily (until September 30).

The event at Hibiya Step Plaza takes place from July 22 to August 28; cocktails are available throughout summer until September 30.

Spend an evening in Yokohama Bay Quarter marvelling at colourful paper lanterns – you’ll feel like you have been transported to the heritage town of Hoi An in Vietnam. Whether it’s during the day or at night, there are plenty of opportunities to get your Instagram shots here. And from June 15 to August 31, there will be food trucks outside serving iced cold beer, sandwiches and meals for you to enjoy on-the-go while taking in the postcard view.

Hotel Gajoen, known for its halls adorned with marvellous Japanese art, is hosting an art illumination exhibition at its famed Hyakudan Kaidan (100-step staircase), which is a registered tangible cultural property of Tokyo. 

The theme ‘Light and Shadow: One Hundred Stories’ is inspired by the tradition of telling ghost stories in the summer to send a chill down your spin. The installations at each room use light and shadow to illustrate the stories, which progress as you walk further into the maze.

You’ll see lanterns carved with ornate patterns and figures of ghosts, as well as illustrations of yokai (Japanese demons) in hidden places. Legend says that real ghosts will appear to greet you after you finish all 100 stories.

Spooky tales aside, there’s no shortage of photo opportunities here, including the goldfish paper lanterns and bamboo lanterns by Akarinowa that adorn the entrance to the Hyakudan Kaidan Staircase. Entry costs ¥1,500 (students ¥800) per person, which you can purchase at the door, or get an early bird ticket online by July 1 for ¥1,200 (students ¥800).

It’s been a century since the birth of contemporary Japanese artist Taro Okamoto, and the Okamoto Taro Memorial Museum is out to celebrate the late artist's anniversary in style. This exhibition not only commemorates Okamoto’s 84 years of life, but also the projects and artistic initiatives that arose since his passing in 1996.

The first half of the exhibition will feature a retrospective display of Okamoto’s works created between the 1940s and the 1980s. The second half, on the other hand, will explore his legacy and impact as an artist.

Look forward to seeing masterpieces like the untitled 1947 painting and ‘Mother and Child’ (1981) in the very studio where Okamoto created them, now known as the Okamoto Taro Memorial Museum.

Good news for art lovers – it turns out we won’t have to wait until July to experience Van Gogh in immersive digital form after all. In addition to the Immersive Museum’s Impressionism exhibition coming to Nihonbashi in July, a digital art exhibition dedicated solely to Vincent Van Gogh is opening at the Kadokawa Culture Museum in Saitama this June. The exhibition will run from June 18 through November 27, in the same 1,100sqm space that hosted last year’s Dreamed Japan, Images of a Floating World digital ukiyo-e showcase.

For this Van Gogh special, moving imagery will be projected from floor to ceiling to give visitors exploring the space the illusion of walking into – and becoming a part of – the Dutch Post-Impressionist master's revered paintings. Expect to be immersed in some of Van Gogh’s most famous pieces including 'The Starry Night', 'Sunflowers' and 'Cypresses', to name a few. There will be accompanying music to evoke the beautifully poetic and complicated inner world of the artist. 

General admission is ¥2,200 for those who buy their tickets online (available now), while same-day tickets will be sold for ¥2,400 at the door. Tickets for high school students and junior high school students are ¥1,800 (same-day ¥2,000), while tickets for elementary school students are ¥1,100 (same-day ¥1,300).

Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel is heralded as one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century. Her classic French couture lines quickly became the pinnacle of sophistication among young women when she first started her career, and even today, the Chanel house stands strong as one of the world’s leading fashion brands.

This worldwide touring exhibition, which has been reedited for Japan, provides fashion lovers with an up-close look at some of the brand’s trademark styles and items, ranging from decades of Chanel suits to the classic Chanel No. 5 perfume. The event is the first comprehensive Chanel retrospective to hit Japan in 32 years, so couture lovers will want to take their time browsing the many aspects of the designer and the brand that is Chanel.

While many countries in the West celebrate all things spooky during Halloween, the season for ghost stories in Japan is in summer. This tradition is connected to Obon, the Buddhist festival of the dead, which happens annually in mid-August. During this time it’s believed that ancestral spirits return to visit their families. The other common belief is that a scary ghost story provides enough chills to cool you down during the humid summer.

Perhaps it’s the combination of both beliefs that this exhibition is held annually in August at Zenshian temple to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Sanyutei Encho. Encho was a rakugo (traditional comic storytelling) performer during the 19th century, who collected a large number of yurei-ga as reference to create his popular horror classics. Yurei-ga are prints or paintings depicting ghosts, demons and other supernatural creatures, and most of the 30 artworks on display here are his personal collection from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The exhibition takes place daily from 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm).

This exhibition at the Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Postwar Repatriates, otherwise known as Heiwakinen, looks back on the traumatic aftermath of World War II through postcards sent by Japanese soldiers from the battlfield. There are over 400 postcards to pore over from the museum's private collection, with some depicting young women dressed in kimono while others include nationalist imagery of Japanese soldiers fighting in war zones.

The postcards reflect a bitter time in history that the world is still recovering from, but provide a distinct perspective on what life looked like for Japanese soldiers during some of the nation's darkest days. Some of which were even painted on the battlefield by military painters. Some of the cards are beautiful while others evoke deeply troubling emotions, but each of the pieces have something to teach us about the cost of war and the value of peace. 

From China to Dubai, this travelling showcase has been touring the world and it’s finally landing in Tokyo this summer. The special exhibition, held at Roppongi Midtown's open lawn, is here to celebrate the luxury fashion house’s 160-year-long history. 

Expect to browse through Louis Vuitton's historical archives from the La Maison Heritage Collection as well as some of the latest ready-to-wear creations via an immersive digital experience. You’ll also be able to examine a selection of the brand's most iconic bags including the Speedy, Steamer and Twist styles. There's even a dedicated room for you to learn more about Louis Vuitton's iconic monogram. 

Advance reservations are required – book your spot via Line.

Now showing at Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo is this magnificent installation by Chicago-born Rashid Johnson, a photographer and sculptor who is often identified as part of the post-Black movement.

From ceramic pots to shea butter and walkie-talkies to African-American history books, the variety of materials Johnson uses in his ‘Plateaus’ (2014) installation is a reflection of Johnson's multifaceted upbringing that made him the artist that he is today. 

According to Johnson, the pyramid-like framework he uses as the foundation of this piece is not intended to symbolise a hierarchy, but rather a unique synthesis of things he draws inspiration from. 

After a brief hiatus, the Yayoi Kusama Museum has reopened, and with it comes an exhibition of the artist's new and recent works which have never been displayed in Japan, or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

This showcase consists of a diverse range of Kusama's works that are reminiscent of surrealism, including several pieces she created at the beginning of her career. Highlights include the artist's rarely seen Nihonga (Japanese-style paintings) art, as well as her immersive room titled 'I'm Here, but Nothing'. 

Through her work, Kusama is able to share her innermost perceptions of the universe and the world around her, which in turn makes viewers more aware of the immensity of the universe around them and the vastness of the unknown.

Note that tickets are not available at the door. Timed tickets are only available on the museum website (¥1,100 adults, ¥600 children 6-18). 

Step into the mystical world of yokai (Japanese monsters and spirits) created by the late manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. This exhibition seeks to explore the inspirations behind the ‘Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro’ author’s otherworldly imaginations.

Besides 100 of Mizuki’s artworks, you’ll also find yokai-related materials from his own collection such as ‘Gazu Hyakki Yagyo’ (‘The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons’) by Edo-era (1603-1868) painter Sekien Toriyama, and ‘Yokai Dangi’ (‘The Monologue of the Monsters’) by early Showa-era (1926-1989) folklorist Kunio Yanagita. 

Remember to download the Street Museum app (Android/iOS) for a cool AR experience at the exhibition. With it you’ll spot different monsters popping up on your screen. Once you’re done exploring the spiritual world, drop by The Sun & The Moon café on the same floor to enjoy food and drinks inspired by Mizuki’s yokai.

The exhibition takes place daily from 10am to 10pm (last entry 9pm).

After a year and a half of renovations, The National Museum of Western Art – famously designed by French architect and painter Le Corbusier – finally reopened on April 9. The permanent collection boasts works ranging from Renaissance masterpieces to paintings from the early 20th century – most notably one of Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ completed in 1916. 

This temporary exhibition celebrating the museum's reopening is held in collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands and the Folkwang Museum in Essen, Germany. Highlights include the ‘Woman Before the Setting Sun’ painting by Caspar David Friedrich.