Tokyo Annual Event Calendar
2010
2011
March, 2010
3 - 4 March
Jindaiji Temple (Chofu-shi - Tsutsujigaoka Sta.)
Jindaiji Temple Daruma (Daruma Doll) Ichi Fair
Welcoming spring to Tokyo, this fair is known as one of three major daruma fairs in Japan.
http://www.csa.gr.jp/daruma2006.htm (Japanese)
25 - 28 March
Tokyo Big Sight (Odaiba - Kokusai-Tenjijo Sta. )
Tokyo International Anime Fair
The world's largest anime exhibition with booth exhibits, spectacular stage performances, theater movie showings and the "Tokyo Anime Awards" .
http://www.tokyoanime.jp/en/
Late March
Ueno Park (Ueno - Ueno Sta. )
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms in Ueno Park. During the festival, 1500 lanterns illuminate the park and allow visitors to enjoy the blossoms into the night.
April, 2010
17 April
Sumida-koen Park(Asakusaļ¼Asakusa Sta.)
Yabusame (Horseback Archery)
The Asakusa school of Yabusame demonstrates their horseback archery in traditional costume.
http://www.city.taito.tokyo.jp/foreign/english/taitou-e.html
18 April
Takaosan Yakuoin Temple(Mt. Takao - Takaosanguchi Sta.)
Mt. Takao Spring Grand Festival
Parade of children (chigo), who dress up in traditional colorful costumes and walk along with yamabushi monks and marching bands.
http://www.takaosan.or.jp/ (Japanese)
May, 2010
Early May
Meiji Jingu Shrine (Harajuku - JR Harajuku Sta. - Meiji-jingumae Sta.)
Meiji Jingu Shrine Grand Festival
Traditional performing arts such as Noh, Kyogen and Japanese Archery are dedicated to the shrine by their leading masters.
http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/
Early May
Tokyo International Forum (Marunouchi - JR Tokyo Sta. - JR Yurakucho Sta.)
La Folle Journee au Japon
A different composer is featured each year at this classical music festival originating from Nantes, France.
http://www.t-i-forum.co.jp/english/index.html
Early - Mid May
Kanda Jinja Shrine & Kanda Area (Ochanomizu - JR Ochanomizu Sta - Suehirocho Sta.)
Kanda Matsuri Festival
One of the "Edo Three Grand Festivals." 200 portable shrines are carried in a lively parade towards the Kanda Jinja Shrine.
http://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/english/top.html
Mid May
Harumi-futo Pier (Odaiba - Yurikamome Line - JR Rinkai Line)
Tokyo Port Festiva
"Kaiwo Maru," the renown Japanese sailboat, recognized as the world's largest, allows visitors to take a look inside.
http://www.kouwan.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html
9 May - 23 May
Kokugikan (JR Ryogoku Sta.)
The May Tournament (Sumo)
Famous the world over, Sumo is one of Japan's greatest sports.
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/ticket/nittei_hyo/index.html
Mid May
Asakusa Jinja Shrine (Asakusa- Asakusa Sta.)
Sanja Matsuri Festival
One of the three major festivals in Japan attracting 1,500,000 spectators over its three-day run. A must see.
http://www.asakusajinja.jp/english/
June, 2010
Early June
Torigoe Jinja Shrine (JR Asakusabashi Sta.)
Torigoe Jinja Shrine Grand Festival
Best viewed in the evening with its huge portable shrine (3.75 tons) which is said to be the heaviest in Tokyo.
Early June - Mid June
Hie Jinja Shrine (Akasaka - Tameike-sanno Sta.- Kokkai-gijido Sta.)
Sanno Matsuri Festival
Portable shrines carried through the streets and accompanied by singing and dancing. Not to be missed.
http://www.hiejinja.net/jinja/english/index.html
July, 2010
Early July
Sensoji Temple (Asakusa - Asakusa Sta. )
Hozuki-Ichi (Lantern Plant Fair)
200 year old festival with 450 stalls selling Hozuki (Lantern Plants) which have been grown in Edogawa area of Tokyo. 350 other stalls sell traditional festival snacks and gifts.
http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html
Mid July
Tokyo Big Sight (Odaiba - Kokusai-Tenjijo Sta. )
Antique Jamboree
Over 500 dealers sell a range of Japanese and foreign antiques at one of the biggest antique shows in Japan.
http://home.att.ne.jp/sun/jambokun/antique/(Japanese only)
Late July
Kagurazaka-dori Street (Kagurazaka - Iidabashi Sta.)
Kagurazaka Matsuri Festival
Japanese summer festival showcasing the Hozuki Ichi Fair & the Awa Folk Dance Festival.
Late July
Sumida-gawa River (Asakusa Area- Asakusa Sta.- Kuramae Sta.)
Sumida River Fireworks
One of Japan's most famous fireworks festival. Enjoy the setting off of more than 22,000 fireworks.
http://www.kanko-sumida.com/english/
August, 2010
Early Aug.
Harumi-futo Pier & various locations surrounding Tokyo Bay (Chuoh-ku- Kachidoki Sta.)
Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival
More than 12,000 fireworks are launched above Tokyo Bay.
http://www.city.chuo.lg.jp/(Japanese only)
Mid Aug.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine (Koto-ku Monzen-Nakacho Sta.)
Fukagawa Hachiman Festival
One of the three major festivals in Japan with large and exquisite portable shrines, racous "washoi" chanting, and water throwing.
http://www.tomiokahachimangu.or.jp/(Japanese only)
Late Aug.
Azabu Juban Station Area (Roppongi- Azabu Juban Sta.)
Azabu Juban Summer Festival
300 stalls and thrilling events such as an international bazaar supported by foreign embassies, a six-university brass band parade, a charity concert and Bon dancing.
Late Aug.
Koenji Station Area (Koenji - JR Koenji Sta.)
Tokyo Koenjji Awa Folk Dance Festival
188 dance groups perform the Awa Folk Dance to lively music as they parade through the streets of Koenji.
http://www.koenji-awaodori.com/indexEn.html
Late Aug.
Tokyo Big Sight (Odaiba- Kokusai-Tenjijo Sta.)
Good Design Expo 2010
Extensive display of award winning product designs. Browse the fascinating, state-of-the-art consumer and industrial goods.
http://www.g-mark.org/english/
Late Aug.
Asakusa Kaminarimon-dori Street (Asakusa - Asakusa Sta.- Tawaramachi Sta.)
Asakusa Samba Carnival
Tokyo's version of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, featuring over 1,500 dancers in brilliant costumes and headdresses.
http://www.asakusa-samba.jp/index.htm
September, 2010
Early Sept.
Tokyo Jazz Festival
The largest jazz festival in Japan featuring live music from leading artists, with music ranging from funk, fusion to big band jazz.
http://www.tokyo-jazz.com/index_en.html
Early Sept.
Nedu Jinja Shrine (Meguro- Meguro Sta.)
Meguro Sanma Festival
Enjoy sampling the flavour of grilled Sanma fish at this lively festival held in Meguro every year.
Mid Sept.
Nedu Jinja Shrine (Bunkyo-ku - Nezu Sta.- Todai-Mae Sta.)
Nedu Gongen Matsuri
This festival consists of a parade of portable shrines, Kagura (Shinto music & dance) and dance.
http://www.nedujinja.or.jp/(Japanese only)
Mid Sept.
Kokugikan (JR Ryogoku Sta.)
The September Tournament (Sumo)
Famous the world over, Sumo is one of Japan's greatest sports.
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/ticket/nittei_hyo/index.html
October, 2010
Mid Oct.
Ikegami-Honmonji Temple (Ikegami - Ikegami Sta.- Nishi-magome Sta.)
Ikegami Honmonji Temple O-Eshiki
Marking St. Nichiren's death, this festival peaks on the eve of the 12th & 13th with parades of lanterns joined by the sound of flutes & drums.
http://honmonji.jp/english/english.html
Mid Oct.
Roppongi Hills (Minato-ku) and Bunkamura (Shibuya-ku) (Roppongi Sta.JR Shibuya Sta.)
The 20th Tokyo International Film Festival
One of the world twelve largest international film festivals and Japan only officially approved international film festival.
http://www.tiff-jp.net/en/
Late Oct.
Meiji Jingu Gaien Area (Aoyama Area- JR Shinanomachi Sta.)
Tokyo Designer's Week
5 days of exhibitions, talks, installations and parties celebrating the world's top creative talents.
November, 2010
Late Oct. - Early Nov.
Odaiba to Ariake (Odaiba - Yurikamome Line- JR Rinkai Line)
Dream Yosacoy Festival
Teams from all over Japan will present various performing shows in colorful costumes during the two-day event.
http://www.dreamyosacoy.jp/
Early Nov.
Sensoji Temple (Asakusa- Asakusa Sta.)
Tokyo Jidai Matsuri Festival
A parade, performed in traditional costumes, to recognize the capital's evolution from the Edo era to the present
7,19 Nov.
Hanzomon Jinja Shrine Otori Jinja Shrine Ootori Jinja Shrine (Several locations in central Tokyo)
Tori no Ichi Fair
A fair that is nationally held on the days of the rooster in November. Various street stalls sell a symbolic charm called kumade (rake).
http://www.torinoichi.jp/english/index.htm
December, 2010
Mid - Late Dec.
Sensoji Temple (Asakusa- Asakusa Sta.)
Hagoita-Ichi (Battledore Fair)
Ornaments and good luck charms, such as hagoita (battledore), shuttlecocks, and kites, are sold at about 50 stalls during this annual fair with numerous people gathering here.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/history/traditionalevents/a65_fes_hagoita.html
31 Dec.
Zojo-ji Temple, Gokoku-ji Temple ,Tsukiji Hongan-ji etc. (Various locations)
Joya no Kane
At Midnight on December 31st, temple bells are struck 108 times to dispel the 108 secular desires that plague us all, according to Buddhist doctrine. To participate in the bell ringing, try one of the temples below:
Zojo-ji Temple
http://www.tokyoessentials.com/zojoji-temple.html
Gokoku-ji Temple
Tsukiji Hongan-ji
http://www.tsukijihongwanji.jp/tsukiji/index_e.html
January, 2011
1 Jan.
Meiji Jingu, Sensoji Templeetc. (Various locations)
Hatsumode
Numerous people visit shrines and temples to pray for good fortune. Many of them wear traditional kimono on this occasion.
http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyoculturearchive349/300/tokyocultureinc.htm
2 Jan.
Imperial Palace Grounds (Chiyoda-ku)
Kokyo Ippan Sanga(New Year Greeting)
January 1st is one of the two days when Imperial Palace grounds are open to the public, where visitors can catch a glimpse of the Imperial Family. Entrance to the gardens is by Nijubashi Bridge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokyo
Early Jan.
Tokyo Big Sight (Odaiba- Kokusai-Tenjijo Sta.)
Dezomeshiki
A grand parade and acrobatic stunts are shown to the public by firefighters wearing traditional outfits.
http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/calendar/january/dezomeshiki.html
Early Jan.
Tokyo Big Sight (Odaiba- Kokusai-Tenjijo Sta.)
Antique Jamboree
This is the largest Antique Show in Japan, attracting about 500 dealers selling everything from Western and Japanese goods to toy collectibles in the waterfront Ariake area.
http://home.att.ne.jp/sun/jambokun/antique/e.html
9 - 23 Jan.
Kokugikan (JR Ryogoku Sta.)
The January Tournament (Sumo)
Sumo is one of the most popular traditional sports in Japan. This sport has over 70 different throws, trips, forms and tricks. The January Basho is one of the year's six Grand Tournaments. Two other tournaments hosted in Tokyo are held in May and September.
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/ticket/nittei_hyo/
February, 2011
Early Feb.
Sensoji Temple etc. (Asakusa- Asakusa Sta.)
Setsubun
Setsubun is a traditional custom performed to welcome spring. Join the crowds as they throw soybeans while shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi" or "Fortune in! Devils out!." The soybeans are meant to have the power to destroy the eyes of the demons.
http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=65311
Late Feb.
Central Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Gov. Bldg. - Odaiba)
Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo's first large-scale city marathon.
http://www.tokyo42195.org/
