This summer, Tokyo Disney® Resort is packed with fun, refreshing events to beat the heat. At Tokyo Disneyland®, don’t miss “Baymax’s Mission: Cool Down,” a lively parade where Baymax sprays a cooling mist along the route. Over in Toontown, get soaked in the playful “Soaked Toontown” water zone. Tokyo DisneySea® is teaming up with popular band Mrs. GREEN APPLE to bring music and mist to the Mediterranean Harbor, creating a cool and exciting atmosphere. Plus, enjoy limited-edition shaved ice treats in unique summer flavors!

Calling all Toy Story fans! To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved film, Tokyo Skytree® is hosting a special event, TOY STORY SKY, from July 17 to October 31, 2025. Look out for Woody, Buzz, Jessie, the Aliens, and more throughout the tower. Enjoy themed food, photo spots, and a dazzling nighttime light show—perfect for fans of all ages!

Sip and savor under the glow of Tokyo Tower at the Tokyo Tower Highball Garden 2025, held at two outdoor venues: CHO-TEN at the main entrance and ROOFTOP on the Foot Town rooftop. Both offer open-air seating with a direct view of the iconic tower, perfect for enjoying chilled highballs and grilled dishes.

Don't miss the signature “CHO-TEN Highball,” served ice-cold with a punch of soda, smooth whisky, and a hint of lemon. Only shops certified by Suntory’s quality standards are allowed to serve this top-tier drink. For meat lovers, head to the ROOFTOP area for all-you-can-eat Jingisukan (grilled lamb), a summer must!

The 66th Koenji Awa Odori will take place on August 23–24, 2025, from around 5 PM near Koenji Station. Dancers will fill the streets of the north and south shopping arcades and along Konan-dori, turning the area into a lively celebration. Originating in Tokushima, Awa Odori is a traditional Bon dance, and the Koenji version began in 1957 to revitalize the local shopping streets.

Over 8 performance zones will be set up around Koenji Station, with dancers organized into groups called ren, performing to festive music played on flutes, taiko drums, and shamisen. Many ren even travel from Tokushima to join. In 2024, about 10,000 dancers from 161 ren entertained a crowd of 940,000 spectators.

If you're not free in the evening, daytime indoor performances are also available (2,200 yen per show).
・Odore Koenji Session 2025: Held at Sesion Suginami Hall, a 5–7 minute walk from Higashi-Koenji or Shin-Koenji stations (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line).
・Koenji Awa Odori: Summer Theater 2025: Held at Za-Koenji Theater, 5 minutes on foot from JR Koenji Station North Exit.

The Meiji Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival, one of Tokyo’s most iconic summer events, returns August 16, 2025. Taking place across two venues, Jingu Stadium and Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the festival draws around a million visitors annually.

What sets this show apart is its fusion of fireworks and live music. This year, Eill and Yoko Oginome will perform at Jingu Stadium, while acts like osage and voice actress Nagisa Aoyama will take the stage at the rugby stadium. Performances begin before the fireworks, so early arrival is recommended. Admission is ticketed.

Sunflowers are the official city flower of Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture, and each year in mid-August the city hosts the Zama Sunflower Festival. Held across two areas, Zama and Yotsuya, the festival covers more than 5.5 hectares and showcases around 550,000 blooming sunflowers.

The Zama venue features sweeping fields of golden sunflowers, while the Yotsuya site displays two distinct varieties. It’s the perfect setting for a leisurely summer stroll surrounded by vibrant floral scenery.

The festival grounds include observation decks and designated photo spots where you can take in sweeping views of the sunflower fields. During the event, local vendors sell sunflower bouquets, fresh produce, and specialty goods. There’s also a fun ayu (sweetfish) catching activity on August 9 and 10 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

The venue is about 90 minutes from Shinjuku by train or bus. From Odakyu Line’s Soubudaimae Station, a temporary direct bus (240 yen one-way) runs to the site. Alternatively, take a route bus from Odakyu Zama Station to Zama-Yotsuya and walk about 10 minutes.

Enjoy food, drinks, and the summer night breeze aboard Salbeer, a floating beer garden hosted by Tokai Kisen Co., Ltd. From July 18 to August 31, 2025, the 6,000-ton passenger ship Sarubia Maru will be docked at Takeshiba Pier, offering a unique evening experience right on Tokyo Bay.

Comic Market 106, the world’s largest doujinshi (self-published works) fair, will be held at Tokyo Big Sight this August. This massive fan-driven event brings together independent creators and fans to buy, sell, and share original works ranging from manga and anime to games, music, and cosplay.

Held twice a year, in summer and winter, the event draws hundreds of thousands of attendees and is frequently featured in the media. One of its unique appeals is its grassroots nature, led by fans, for fans. Cosplayers also flock to the venue, making it a must-visit for pop culture enthusiasts. Admission requires either a ticket or a wristband pass.

Tokyo in summer is full of exciting and unique events, from evening fireworks festivals to refreshing theme park experiences designed to beat the heat. Even if you’re not a fan of hot weather, there are plenty of cool ways to enjoy the season.

August is typically the hottest month of the year in Tokyo, with daytime highs often exceeding 35°C (95°F). Be sure to take proper precautions: bring a parasol or hat and stay hydrated throughout the day.

(Information in this article is current as of July 2025. Please check official websites for the latest updates.)