Enjoy summer evenings with highballs and grilled meats at the Tokyo Tower Highball Garden 2025, held across two scenic outdoor locations. The “CHO-TEN” area in front of the main entrance offers refreshing whisky highballs crafted with strong soda water, plenty of ice, and a hint of lemon—served only by Suntory-certified vendors.

Head to the “ROOFTOP” on Foot Town's roof for an all-you-can-eat Jingisukan BBQ paired with free-flowing highballs. It's the perfect way to beat the heat while admiring Tokyo Tower up close.

Event Details
・TOKYO TOWER “CHO-TEN” HIGHBALL GARDEN: Tokyo Tower Main Entrance Plaza | March 18 – September 28, 2025 | Time: 4 PM to 10 PM (weekends and holidays from 12 PM); last order at 9:30 PM; closed in bad weather
・TOKYO TOWER “ROOF TOP” HIGHBALL GARDEN: Foot Town Rooftop | March 20 – October 13, 2025 | Time: 5 PM to 10 PM; last order at 9:30 PM
・All-you-can-eat BBQ (ROOFTOP): Adults (20+) 6,000 yen, teens 4,000 yen, children 3,000 yen, ages 4–6 2,000 yen (includes tax, 120-minute limit)

This year’s Summer Cool-Off at Tokyo Disney Resort features an exciting collaboration with popular Japanese trio Mrs. GREEN APPLE, who created and performed the event’s energetic theme song. A teaser video—featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the recording—was released on the resort’s official YouTube channel on June 6.

The catchy track will energize attractions like Baymax’s Happy Ride and the splash-filled Harbor Splash at Tokyo DisneySea, and it headlines a brand-new water parade, Baymax’s Mission: Cool Down. Guests can expect bursts of water and vibrant music for a refreshing summer thrill. Other highlights include Splash Mountain: More! Soaked MAX and the all-new Dockside Splash Remix show. The theme song also features in TV commercials airing across Japan from mid-June.

Event Details
・Location: Tokyo Disneyland / Tokyo DisneySea
・Dates: July 2 – September 15, 2025
・Time & Admission: See official website
・Info Line: 0570-00-8632 (recorded info)
Click here for details and the latest information on the official website (in Japanese)

The Shitamachi Tanabata Festival takes place each year along Kappabashi Hon-dori, a lively shopping street connecting Asakusa and Ueno. Spanning roughly 1.2 km from Kokusai-dori to Showa-dori, the street is adorned with colorful Tanabata decorations. Don’t miss the exciting parade at 1:15 PM on July 5, featuring the Tokyo Metropolitan Police motorcycle unit and local school bands.

On July 6, enjoy street performances including Tokushima’s famous Awa Odori and the Sado Okesa folk dance from Niigata. The street becomes a pedestrian-only zone with festival stalls and bamboo displays where visitors can hang their wishes on tanzaku paper strips. This heartwarming local celebration runs July 4–8, with main events on July 5–6.

Event Details
・Location: Kappabashi Hon-dori
・Main Festival Dates: July 5–6, 2025 from 10 AM to 7 PM
・Tanabata Decorations: July 4–8, 2025
・Admission: Free

The 51st Kagurazaka Festival brings a nostalgic Edo-era charm to the streets of Kagurazaka, featuring vibrant events centered around Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple. Highlights include the Chinese Lantern Plant Market, where bright red potted hōzuki plants are sold, and nearby restaurants join in with special food stalls. Locals and visitors in yukata create a lively summer atmosphere.

The festival’s biggest draw is the Awa Odori dance parade on Kagurazaka-dori, with over 20 dance troupes performing. Other unique experiences include a Yukata Guided Tour through the alleyways (Japanese only, 1,000 yen, limited to 100 participants, reservations via Kagurazaka Commons), and the Hōroku Flame Ritual at Zenkokuji, where participants place a clay plate on their heads and burn mugwort to pray for health and relief from the summer heat (3,000 yen).

Event Details
・Location: Kagurazaka 1-chome and Kagurazaka-dori, Shinjuku City
・Chinese Lantern Market & Food Stalls: July 23–24, 2025 from 5 PM to 9 PM
・Bishamonten Kids’ Fair: July 23–24, 2025 from 5 PM to around 8 PM
・Yukata Guided Tour: July 23–24, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
・Awa Odori Parade: July 25, 2025 from 7 PM to 9 PM
・Children’s Awa Odori: July 26, 2025 from 6 PM to 7 PM
・Hōroku Flame Ritual at Zenkokuji: July 24, 2025 at 3 PM and 5 PM
・Admission: Free (some events require a participation fee)

Held annually at Yasukuni Shrine since 1947, the Mitama Festival honors the spirits of the war dead through a dazzling summer celebration. The grounds are illuminated by over 30,000 lanterns and large handwritten paper lanterns (kake-yukidō) contributed by notable figures, creating an ethereal glow.

In addition to daily Shinto rituals at the main hall, the rare Evening Courtyard Visit allows guests into the shrine's inner sanctum, usually closed to the public. The festival also features traditional performances such as gagaku court music, mikoshi dances, Aomori’s Nebuta parade, and Awa Odori. Bon dances are held nightly in the outer garden, open to all, and stalls throughout the grounds offer original souvenirs like festival fans and handkerchiefs.

Event Details
・Location: Yasukuni Shrine
・Dates: July 13–16, 2025
・Times: Formal worship from 9 AM to 8:30 PM; Evening Courtyard Visit from 5:45 PM to 9:10 PM
・Admission: Free

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is one of Japan’s most iconic summer events, with a history tracing back to the Ryogoku Fireworks of 1773. Now a nationally televised spectacle, it draws around one million spectators each year.

The event takes place at two sites: Site 1 stretches from below Sakurabashi to above Kototoibashi and features around 9,350 fireworks, including a competition among top pyrotechnic companies from across Japan. Site 2, from below Komagatabashi to above Umayabashi, will launch approximately 10,650 fireworks. Since there are no seated viewing areas along the river, spectators typically enjoy the show from surrounding bridges and streets.

Event Details
・Location: Sumida River
・Date: July 26, 2025
・Time: 7 PM to 8:30 PM (canceled in case of bad weather)
・Admission: Free

The Shiman-rokusennichi Festival & Hozuki Market at Asakusa's Sensoji Temple is held on July 9 and 10, capturing the essence of summer in Tokyo. These dates mark the special “Shiman-rokusennichi” observance: praying at the temple on July 10 is said to bring blessings equivalent to 46,000 days (about 126 years) of visits.

Around 100 stalls fill the temple grounds selling hōzuki (Chinese lantern plants), long believed to have medicinal properties. Wind chime vendors also join, their crisp tones blending with lively vendor calls to create a nostalgic summer market atmosphere. Limited-edition charms called kaminari-yoke fuda, protective paper talismans on bamboo sticks, are also distributed during the event.

Event Details
・Location: Sensoji Temple
・Dates: July 9–10, 2025
・Time: Around 9 AM to 9 PM
・Admission: Free

The Iriya Morning Glory Festival near Iriya Kishimojin celebrates the morning glory flower, considered a summer good-luck charm in Japan. Believed to have medicinal benefits and symbolic of strong romantic ties due to its climbing nature, morning glories are thought to bring health and love.

Each day from 5 AM, around 30 to 40 flower vendors line the streets, some offering morning glories with blessed protective charms. Limited-edition goods are also available during the three-day event, and market hours vary by day—so be sure to check before heading out!

Event Details
・Location: Around Iriya Kishimojin
・Dates & Times:
July 6, 2025 from 12 PM to 9 PM
July 7–8, 2025 from 5 PM to 9 PM
・Admission: Free

Nicknamed the Hydrangea Train, the Hakone Tozan Railway runs from Hakone-Yumoto to Gora Station in about 40 minutes, passing through slopes lined with roughly 10,000 hydrangea bushes. Varieties include vibrant purple and pink Western hydrangeas and elegant white Annabelles. Thanks to a 400-meter elevation difference along the route, the flowers bloom in stages—extending the viewing season from mid-June through early July.

One of the train’s highlights is how close the flowers get—so near, you can almost touch them. At night, special illumination events take place: the train dims its interior lights and slows down while gentle Japanese narration plays, offering a peaceful, unforgettable ride through glowing hydrangeas.

Event Details
・Location: Hakone Tozan Railway (Hakone-Yumoto Station)
・Best Viewing Period: Mid-June to early July (annually)
・Admission: Free (train fare required)

Just a 5-minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoden Line, Hasedera Temple is known as the “Flower Temple” for its seasonal blooms. From late May to late June, it’s especially famous for hydrangeas, with about 2,500 bushes in over 40 varieties lining a scenic hillside trail. The path takes roughly 10 minutes to walk and ends at an observation deck with sweeping views of Sagami Bay and the town of Hase.

During peak bloom (from around 50% bloom to the end of the season), an additional Hydrangea Path Admission Ticket is required along with the regular entry fee. Rare varieties such as “Hase Shiosai” and “Hase Kigan,” as well as temple-named hydrangeas like “Kamakura,” make this a unique experience you won’t find elsewhere.

Event Details
・Location: Hasedera Temple
・Best Viewing Period: Late May to early July (ends July 1, 2025)
・Hours: 8 AM to 4:30 PM (closes at 5 PM); until 5 PM from April–June (closes at 5:30 PM)
・Admission: 400 yen (plus 500 yen Hydrangea Path ticket during peak bloom; required for elementary school age and above)

The Oedo Antique Market is Japan’s largest outdoor antique fair, held at Tokyo International Forum in Yurakucho. Launched in September 2003 to commemorate 400 years since the founding of Edo, it now takes place regularly on the first and third Sunday of each month, with around 250 vendors selling antiques, art, and vintage goods.

You'll find everything from 300-year-old Japanese artifacts to mid-century American collectibles, making it a great spot to explore Japan’s history and culture. Its easy access, right near Yurakucho Station or about a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station, adds to its appeal.

Event Details
・Location: Tokyo International Forum, Yurakucho
・Dates: July 6 and 20, 2025
・Time: 9 AM to 4 PM
・Admission: Free
・Closed Days: Open throughout the period
Note: Event details are subject to change.

The 16th HandMade In Japan Fes 2025 is one of Japan’s largest creator festivals, drawing 3,000 artists and over 50,000 visitors from across the country. Held at Tokyo Big Sight, this lively event features original handmade items such as accessories, bags, decor, tableware, crafts, and art for sale.

Visitors can also join around 70 hands-on workshops led by skilled artisans and popular creators, enjoy live stage performances, and browse a gourmet food area with handmade treats from across Japan—offering a one-of-a-kind creative experience you can only get in person.

Event Details
・Location: Tokyo Big Sight, West Halls 1 & 2
・Dates: July 19–20, 2025
・Time: 11 AM to 7 PM
・Admission: Advance tickets 1,300 yen; Same-day tickets 1,500 yen; 2-day pass also available

Tokyo in July is packed with seasonal charm, from Tanabata festivals and fireworks displays to exclusive summer events at Tokyo Disney Resort. Don’t miss these once-a-year celebrations that make summer in the city unforgettable. In the Kanto region, the rainy season typically ends around July 19. Until then, the weather can be unstable and humid, so be sure to check LIVE JAPAN for updates and bring rain gear to stay prepared.

(Information in this article is current as of June 2025. For the latest updates, please check the official websites.)