Need to get some inspiration for what to do this week in Tokyo? Say no more and check out this weeks Highlights of Tokyo
Updated weekly!
July 26 – August 1st
Tokyo Celebrations
Honey Festival
While you might think this event is all about eating honey (and it is), the focus is also on the fuzzy friends that make it. Stalls offer honey from around the world and you’ll get a chance to try them with a variety of snacks, and maybe even take home a jar of your favorite.
| Official Website | Honey Festival 2024 |
| Location | Ginza Phoenix Plaza |
| Dates | 26th Jul–28th Jul, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | Friday: 2:00pm – 8:00pm Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm Sunday: 10:00am – 4:30pm |
Sake Festival Nakameguro
At the Sake Festival Nakameguro, over 200 different varieties — from giant companies to micro-breweries/distilleries — are available. Take a chance to talk to brewers about what makes their sake unique, and find ones that suit your taste. To complete the festival mood, there will be stalls with traditional drinking snacks, meals, and even live performances.
| Official Website | Sake Festival Nakameguro 2024 |
| Location | GT Tower Square |
| Dates | 27th Jul–28th Jul, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | 12:00 pm – 5:10 pm |
| Tickets | Adults: Advance Sales ¥3,300 |
Haneda Summer Festival
This lively festival happens on the last weekend of July and attracts around 30,000 spectators each year. The mikoshi, or the portable shrine, is carried by 3,000 people, with more than 30,000 visitors attending. As Haneda used to be a fishermen’s town, the mikoshi is carried in a unique way, called the Yokota, that represents a boat swaying on the ocean.
| Official Website | Haneda Summer Festival |
| Location | Haneda Shrine |
| Dates | 26th Jul–28th Jul, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | Friday: 7:00pm Saturday: 9:00am Sunday: 8:00am – 6:00pm |
Enoshima Lanterns Festival 2024
We’ve discussed Enoshima before, but for a month and a half in summer, this beautiful island transforms at night. Various locations, such as Enoshima Shrine, Iwaya Caves, Samuel Cocking Garden, and the Enoshima Sea Candle are illuminated with lanterns and light shows.
| Official Website | Enoshima Lanterns Festival 2024 |
| Location | Enoshima Shrine |
| Dates | 20th Jul–31st Aug, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | 9:00am – 8:30pm |
Tokyo Art
Lemon Roads Exhibition at Jinny Street Gallery
At this Lemon Roads exhibition, you can see the work of 42 artists from around the world who helped create original designs for Jinny Lemon Sour. Each piece showcases the artist’s personal stories and how they interpreted the lemon motif.
| Official Website | Lemon Roads Exhibition |
| Location | Jinny Street Gallery |
| Dates | 6th Jul–3rd Aug, 2024 |
Goncha Exhibition: Look @ Me Now
This is Gonchan (Robert Gordon McHarg III)’s first solo exhibition in Japan. See pieces that embrace humor and childlike wonder, along with a disregard for conformity. Works on display include his Fuji Rock Festival painted rocks, limited edition screen prints, digital art, projections, and even an interactive print for visitors to draw and color on themselves.
| Official Website | Goncha Exhibition |
| Location | Gallery Ether |
| Dates | 13th Jul–3rd Aug, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | 12:00 pm – 07:00pm |
Junji Ito Exhibition: Enchantment
Experience the must-see Junji Ito exhibition, marking his first major showcase in Japan. Discover his renowned macabre artistry up close, featuring iconic scenes from acclaimed manga like “Tomie” and “Uzumaki.” Delve into his unique style through hand-drawn artworks on various mediums, alongside unseen pieces. Immerse yourself in spine-chilling 3D models, including a captivating display centered on “Uzumaki.”
| Official Website | Junji Ito Exhibition |
| Location | Maps |
| Dates | 04/27/2024- 09/01/2024 |
| Start/End Time | 10:00 – 18:00 |
Markets
Akasaka Antique Market in Ark Hills
The Ark Hills antique market is much classier compared to some of Tokyo’s usual fairs. In addition to the amazing finds you can usually dig up at a flea market, like jewelry and home goods, you can also find stylish clothing brands — a great chance to update your wardrobe.
| Official Website | Akasaka Antique Market |
| Location | Ark Hills |
| Dates | 28th Jul, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | 11:00am – 5:00pm |
Ohi Racecourse Flea Market
One of Tokyo’s biggest and most frequent flea markets, this event takes place over many — if not all — weekends a month. Also known as the Tokyo City Flea Market, it can feature up to 600 vendors on a busy day, making it a great place to hunt for bargains.
Most vendors sell used clothes simply laid out in piles on a tarp, but some have fossils, gemstones, Japanese antiques, household goods, or secondhand electronics on offer.
You can definitely bargain at this market, as prices suggested by the mainly private sellers are flexible.
| Official Website | Ohi Racecourse Flea Market |
| Location | Oi Racecourse |
| Dates | 27th – 28th Jul, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | 9:00am – 2:30pm |
Hanazono Shrine Antique Market
Roughly translated as Hanazono Shrine Blue Sky Antique Fair, it definitely gives a hint about the preferred weather conditions. It runs from sunrise to sunset, but most stalls close around 3 p.m.
| Official Website | Hanazono Shrine Antique Market |
| Location | Hanazono Shrine |
| Dates | 28th Jul, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | 6:30am – 3:00pm |
Other Activities
Japanese lights and 100-Step Staircase exhibition
Enter a world of illumination and explore a unique take on Japan’s culture and artistry at the Japanese Lights and 100-Step Staircase (Wa no Akari × Hyakudan Kaidan) exhibition.
| Official Website | Hotel Meguro Gajoen |
| Location | Meguro Gajeon |
| Dates | 13th Jun–28th Jul, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | 11:00am – 6:00pm |
| Tickets | General entry is ¥1,600, with students paying ¥1,000 and children ¥800. |
Summer Nights Museums
As the temperature gets to ridiculous highs, it’s the perfect time to hide out at an air-conditioned museum — at night. The museums are the ones listed below, and some of them will even be hosting mystery solving events!
- Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno (Every Fri. from Jul. 19 to Aug. 30
- Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum in Meguro (Every Fri. from Jul. 19 to Aug. 30)
- Tokyo Photographic Art Museum in Ebisu (Every Thu. and Fri. from Jul. 18 to Aug. 30)
- Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Kiyosumi Shirakawa (Every Fri. from Aug. 9 to 30)
- Tokyo Shibuya Koen-dori Gallery in Shibuya (Every Fri. from Jul. 19 to Aug. 30)
| Official Website | Summer Nights Museums |
| Dates | 18/07/2024 – 30/08/2024 |
| Start/End Time | 05:00 pm – 09:00 pm |
Takao Beer Mount
Takao Beer Mount is definitely the highest beer garden in Tokyo at 500m on the side of a mountain. With “terrace,” “garden,” and “hall” seats, you can enjoy the views at Mt Takao day or night. The many different beers, highballs, wines, cocktails, et.c are part of an all-you-can-drink service. But the event isn’t just for drinks (or adults). The all-you-can-eat buffet includes all kinds of Japanese and Western dishes, too.
| Official Website | Takao Beer Mount |
| Location | Mount Takao |
| Dates | 15th Jun–15th Oct, 2024 |
| Start/End Time | 1:00pm – 9:00pm |
| Tickets | ¥1,800 – ¥4,300 |
Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Tokyo
Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.
From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are traveling in, our knowledgeable and friendly guides will happily take you to the best spots!
In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need some help!
▶Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Tour
Explore the most lively and popular fish market in Tokyo, where you will have the chance to try some of the local’s favorite street foods and sake along with your friendly English-speaking guide!
▶Tokyo 1–Day Highlights Private Walking Tour (8 Hours)
There’s no better way to explore an area than taking a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. You will have the chance to learn about the history and interesting background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover some hidden gems which can be hard to do without a guide.
▶Shinjuku Bar Hopping Tour: Experience Tokyo’s Nightlife in Izakaya
Check out the best spots in Shinjuku while bar hopping through the lively and vibrant area. Try some delicious local food and drink as you explore the narrow yet photogenic alleys that the town has to offer. Experience Japanese izakaya culture and drink in Shinjuku like the locals!
▶Kimono Experience in Tokyo
Step into the charm of the kimono, a beloved icon of Japanese tradition, ideal for festivals and wandering quaint streets. Asakusa offers the perfect setting to don your kimono and create cherished memories with picturesque backdrops. Let Kimono Rental Wargo dress you up for a day of delightful exploration in timeless style!
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Happy traveling!
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