One of Tokyo's signature summer festivals, started in 1957 to revitalize the local shopping streets. More than 10,000 dancers perform Awa-odori, a dance originating in Tokushima, in groups called "ren," drawing crowds on the scale of about 1 million over two days. At the 67th festival in 2026, a total of 166 ren took part and 950,000 people attended.
Bold men's dances performed low to the ground, and graceful women's dances in geta sandals and woven straw hats. You can watch up close as each ren parades through the shopping streets with its own inventive choreography to the rhythm of shamisen, drums, flutes, and bells.
2026 example (August 29 and 30)
Saturday and Sunday of the festival (official FAQ)
Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.
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PR8.6Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Theme parkTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Located in Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, this resort centers on two theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. It’s about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station on the JR Keiyo Line, close enough for a day trip from central Tokyo. Park tickets are date-specific with variable pricing and must be bought in advance on the official website or official app.
Studio tourTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
This indoor walk-through attraction takes you behind the scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film series. It opened in June 2023 on the former site of Toshimaen. There are no rides; instead, you explore sets, props, and costumes on foot at your own pace.
Theme parkTokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Tama
A fully indoor theme park where you can meet Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters. Parades, musical shows, rides, and character greetings are packed into a four-story building, so you can enjoy a full day regardless of the weather.
ExperienceTokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Toyosu
An immersive museum by the art collective teamLab where you walk barefoot into the artworks. It's a series of vast spaces, including works you wade through water to experience, where your whole body becomes one with the art. It's scheduled to run until the end of 2027.
ZooTokyo & Around ・ Tokyo / Ueno
Japan's oldest zoo, located inside Ueno Park. With affordable admission, it's a central Tokyo zoo that's easy to combine with Ueno's art galleries and museums.
AquariumTokyo & Around ・ Oshiage / Tokyo Skytree Town
An urban aquarium on the 5th and 6th floors of Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi. It's entirely indoors and directly connected to the station, so you can drop by whatever the weather. It stays open into the evening, making it easy to pair with the Skytree observation decks or sightseeing in Asakusa.
AquariumTokyo & Around ・ Kamogawa, Chiba
An aquarium on the Pacific coast of the Boso Peninsula where you can see performances by four species: orcas, belugas, dolphins, and sea lions. Admission includes all performances. It's about 2 hours from Tokyo Station by the Limited Express Wakashio or the direct Akushi-go highway bus (アクシー号), so it works as a day trip.
Amusement parkTokyo & Around ・ Inagi
An amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo, with something to enjoy year-round: pools in summer and illuminations in winter. Inside the park is PokéPark KANTO, an area where more than 600 Pokémon live. It's about 10 minutes from Keio-yomiuri-land Station by the Sky Shuttle gondola.
AquariumTokyo & Around ・ Ikebukuro
An urban aquarium on the roof of the World Import Mart Building in Ikebukuro's Sunshine City. Themed as an oasis in the sky, it consists of indoor exhibits on two floors and the outdoor Marine Garden. It's within walking distance of Ikebukuro and Higashi-Ikebukuro stations, making it easy to drop by between other Tokyo sightseeing.
JanuaryTokyo & Around ・ Hakone
Every year on January 2 (outbound) and January 3 (return)
103rd race: Jan 2, 2027 (Sat) outbound, Jan 3 (Sun) return
February–MarchTokyo & Around ・ Izu
Usually early February to early March (about one month). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late February
February–DecemberTokyo & Around ・ Izu
Usually held a dozen or more times a year in spring (April–May), summer (July–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February). Each show runs around 20:20–20:40 (from 20:15 in July and August)
Next show: Oct 25, 2026 (Sun), followed by Nov 8, Nov 23, Dec 6, Dec 25, and Feb 21, 2027 (all 20:20–20:40)
March
April–MayTokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes
Usually mid-April to late May (April 11 – May 24 in 2026; may vary with bloom conditions)
AprilTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually around April 1–30 (the 55th festival was held April 1–30, 2026). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late April
MayTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)
MayTokyo & Around ・ Nikko
Every year on May 17 and 18 (fixed dates as a Shinto ritual)
2027: May 17 (Mon) – May 18 (Tue)
June
JulyTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually the last Saturday of July (19:00–20:30)
JulyTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year on July 9 and 10
Every year on July 9 and 10 (same dates in 2027)
SeptemberTokyo & Around ・ Kamakura & Enoshima
Every year September 14–16 (yabusame on the 16th)
Every year September 14–16 (same dates in 2027)
NovemberTokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes
Usually early to late November (about 3–4 weeks). The leaves are usually at their best in early to mid-November
2026: Nov 7 (Sat) – Nov 29 (Sun)
NovemberTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually on the Days of the Rooster in November (2–3 days, 12 days apart). At Otori Shrine in Asakusa, it runs from midnight to midnight (0:00–24:00) on each Rooster Day
2026: two days, Ichi-no-Tori on Nov 7 (Sat) and Ni-no-Tori on Nov 19 (Thu) (no market on the days in between)
November–FebruaryTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Usually mid-November to mid-February of the following year (about 3 months)
2026: Nov 12 (Thu) – Feb 14, 2027 (Sun)
DecemberTokyo & Around ・ Central Tokyo
Every year December 17–19 (Senso-ji explicitly states "the three days from December 17 to 19")
2026: Dec 17 (Thu) – Dec 19 (Sat)
Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.
Last checked: 2026-09-30
