10 best summer festivals in Tokyo in 2022

Enoshima is one of the most popular island getaways for Tokyoites and it's hosting a free projection mapping event throughout August, inspired by the little island’s folktale Enoshima Engi.

Called the Enoshima Lanterns 2022, the digital light show starts at the island’s Zuishinmon Gate, where it depicts a scene from Enoshima Engi, which tells the love story between an evil-doing five-headed dragon and a beautiful goddess. Make sure to watch the entire scene until the end as it includes a digital fireworks display.

The staircase leading up to Enoshima Shrine, which is dedicated to the aforementioned goddess, is lit up with blue and yellow lights. At the shrine grounds, the project mapping show here goes deeper into the love between the dragon and the goddess.

In addition to the digital light show, the shrine grounds and the upper area surrounding the Samuel Cocking Garden and the Enoshima Sea Candle lighthouse are lit up with 1,000 traditional lanterns illustrating scenes from Enoshima Engi.

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.

This massive summer festival takes place at Okachimachi Station over two days in August. The festivities start with free kid-friendly activities from 11am, where primary school students and younger children can paint little tumbler dolls and observe rhinoceros beetles.

Throughout the day, you can fuel up on local specialities from Fukushima prefecture, including namie yakisoba, Fukushima beef sirloin skewers, grilled seafood, grilled horse meat and more. There’s also a sake tasting corner.

The Bon Odori dance sessions, which are accompanied by taiko drums, start at 4.30pm. Songs range from classic Bon Odori music to anime opening tracks and J-pop hits. There’s also a special Bon Odori session for kids, who will be allowed to dance on the yagura turret.

Don’t miss the live performances by Japanese singers Leon Niihama and Ren Monzai as well as dancer Akane Kikaku.

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.  

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.)

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).

Kawachi Ondo is a folk song originated in what is now the Osaka region and later spread all over the country. The lyrics can be modified to touch on anything from epic tales to current events, and the best singers are able to improvise freely.

This Kinshicho festival is where to get a comprehensive introduction to the art of Kawachi Ondo. The event is free but limited to 500 participants. Reserve your spot via the event website on Monday August 15 at 8am.