Annual Festivals, Cultural Events, and Celebrations in Tokyo

Tokyo is a city that holds numerous exciting events all year round. Whether you're interested in art, food, traditional or modern Japanese culture, there is something for everyone. Below is a list of annual festivals, cultural events, and celebrations hosted by the city.

Sanja Matsuri

Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's biggest and most well-known annual festivals. It is a Shinto festival that celebrates the three men who founded the city's oldest Buddhist temple, Senso-ji. The festival takes place on the third weekend of May.

Sanno Matsuri

Sanno Matsuri is another of Tokyo's most prominent festivals and is known for its majestic parade, which loops around the city. The Sanno Matsuri occurs in mid-June on even-numbered years.

Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival

The grand Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival is a stunning display of over 20,000 fireworks and is Tokyo's oldest hanabi festival. The Festival takes place on the last Saturday of July.

Tokyo Game Show

The Tokyo Game Show is one of the city's most anticipated events for gamers. It takes place annually in September, attracting game developers and enthusiasts from all over the world.

Tokyo International Film Festival

Tokyo International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in late October to early November. It celebrates the best in domestic and international cinema.

Design Festa

Design Festa is a bi-annual international art event that inspires participation from artists all around the globe. It occurs in the middle of May and November.

Tokyo Ramen Show

The Tokyo Ramen Show is an annual celebration of Japan's famous noodle soup. It features a variety of tweaked and traditional ramen styles from across Japan. The event occurs in late October to early November.

Hibiya Park Marunouchi Ondo Bon-odori Dance Festival

Hibiya Park Marunouchi Ondo Bon-odori Dance Festival is one-of-a-kind, participating in the Bon Odori dance to traditional music with participants and visitors alike. The Festival takes place in August.