Visitor Information & Insider's Travel Tips

1: January

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Date & Place
New Year		Watch-Night Bells: Buddhist temples toll bells 108 times at 0:00 of 1 January to blow away bad desires for a fresh start. It is a custom to eat Japanese noodles with hearing the bells.   First Prayer (Hatsu-mode): Japanese people visit a shrine (or temple) to pray for a good year on 1 January.   Happy Bags: Most big shopping centers sell "Happy Bags," which are sets of items at discount prices, on the first business day.   Nanakusa: People eat rice porridge with 7 herbs on 7 January.	Watch-Night Bells: at Buddhist temples, 0:00 on 1 January   New Year Celebration: 1 - 7 January   1 Jan: New Year's Day   1 - 3 Jan: Many public places are closed for celebration   7 Jan: The last day of New Year Celebration
Winter Peony Garden		Peonies are displayed with snow fences made of straw.	At Ueno Toshogu Shrine See it  here.   1 January - 22 February 9:30 -16:30 (2015)

 

In January, Japanese atmospheres are everywhere because of New Year Celebration. You will also have chances to try New Year dishes (osechi) and experience the Japanese traditions.
Nanakusa-gayu is found in restaurants. There is also a demonstration by sumo wrestlers at Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Harajuku, on 7 January.

 

2: February

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Date & Place
Setsubun Festival		Setsubun is a traditional Japanese festival. People scatter soy beans to eject bad spirits and to welcome good luck.	Many shrines and Buddhist temples hold Setsubun events. Soy Bean Scattering at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa is especially big and famous.   3 (or 4) February (The day before the first day of spring in the Lunar Calendar)
St. Valentine's Day		In Japan, St. Valentine's Day has become an event to give or eat chocolates. We can get a lot of fabulous chocolates by famous chocolatiers in the world.	In department stores in Ginza, shopping centers, etc.   Until 14 February

 

February is considered to be the coldest month in a year in Japan, but there are hot events.
The air is very clear in winter, so it is a good season to visit observatories. You have chances to veiw Mt. Fuji on sunny days.

 

3: March

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Date & Place
Hina-Matsuri (Girls' Festival)		3 March is Japanese girls festival. People decorate rooms & public places with Japanese dolls and eat special snacks and sushi.	3 March
Plum Blossoms		Plum (Apricot/Ume in Japanese) blossoms bloom before cherry blossoms.   Plum Blossom Festival in Mito, a city located north from Tokyo, is big and famous.	In Japanese gardens, parks, shrines, Buddhist temples, etc. See full-blooming plum blossoms in Shiba Park.   Late February to Middle March
Walking On Fire Festival (Hiwatari-Sai)		Yakuoin Temple in Mt. Takao in Western Tokyo is a temple with unique culture of Shugendo. Its yearly big festival is this Hiwatari-sai. Shugen ascetics hold some ceremonies, light a fire with prayer and walk on the place where the wooden plates were burnt. Common visitors can join it after the Shugen ascetics.	The 2nd Sunday in March every year   In Yakuoin Temple in Mt. Takao See reports, photos, explanations and sightseeing guides of Walking On Fire Festival.
Japanese Garden in Tokyo National Museum Opened		For cherry blossom (sakura) season, this museum filled with old Japanese and Asian arts opens its garden to visitors.	At Tokyo National Museum   Early March - early April (Depends on the year)
Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)		Cherry blossoms are one of the icons of Japan. They start to open late March and reach to the peak at the end of March or early April. In March, early-blooming cherry blossoms can't be missed.	In parks, gardens, temples, shrines, etc.   Late March to Early April   cf: Early-blooming sakura   cf: See the updates of Cherry Blossom Forecast 2015

 

Spring gets close every day in March. With Hina-Matsuri and White Day, the streets are colored spring, too.

 

 

4: April

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Date & Place
Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)		Cherry blossoms fully bloom in early April. The peak lasts around one week.   After the season of standard sakura leaves, late-blooming cherry blossoms attract people.	In parks, gardens, temples, shrines, etc.   Late March - Early April   cf: Late-blooming sakura
Buddha's Birthday (Hana-Matsuri/Kambutsu-e)		Buddhist temples (NOT Shinto shrines) celebrate Buddha's birthday. People pour hydrangea tea (amacha in Japanese) onto small Buddha statues.	At Buddhist temples See Hana Matsuri at Kaneiji Temple in Ueno Park   8 April
Spring Peony Garden		In spring, peonies are displayed with sunshades.	At Ueno Toshogu Shrine See it all here.   Early April - Early May (Depends on the year)
Late-Blooming Cherry Blossoms		There are many kinds of sakura that bloom later than standard sakura.   Although many Japanese people tend to praise "standard" cherry blossoms, the late-blooming cherry blossoms are as beautiful as the standard kinds.	Shinjuku Gyoen Garden is the most famous for late-blooming cherry blossoms.   Middle April - Late April, Early May

 

April is definitely the season of cherry blossoms. There are also other spring flowers blooming all around.

 

 

 

5: May

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Date & Place
Golden Week		29 April and 3, 4, 5 May are public holidays in Japan. It is a high season for traveling, so there are many events to attract people.	29 April, 3, 4, 5 May and the weekend close to the public holidays
Kanda Festival		One of the Biggest Festivals in Japan lasting for hundreds of years. During the weeks, Kanda Myojin Shrine holds some events every day. The Mikoshi (portable shrine) parades by locals are especially exciting.	At Kanda Myojin Shrine near Akihabara (Some parades are held in some streets.)   Late April to Middle May, ONCE TWO YEARS   In 2015, the big parades were held on 9 & 10 May
Asakusa Sanja Festival		A yearly big festival of Asakusa Shrine, just next to Sensoji Temple, which is said to be lasting since 1312.   We can explore very unique dances registered as Cultural Asset of Tokyo, traditional music, parades, real geishas, and other performances by festival-loving Asakusa locals.	At Asakusa Shrine and Nakamise Street   Friday, Saturday and Sunday close to 17 & 18 May every year

 

In May, it is sunny on many days, so many people go picnicing and hiking. After the cherry blossom season, trees are very beautiful with fresh leaves. In some temples, bamboo is most beautiful in a year.

 

6: June

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Place & Date
Irises		Iris flowers are one of the icons of Japanese June. The purple, blue and white of the flowers and the fresh green leaves are extremely beautiful in the rainy season.	See 2 Top Iris Viewing Spots in Tokyo City, Japan - Natural Beauty in June   Late May - June
Hydrangeas		Hydrangeas (Ajisai in Japanese) are the other symbol of June. In some Buddhist temples, they bloom in the rainy season and attract many visitors.	See A Trip to Kamakura, Japan - Hydrangeas in June & All the Travel Info
International Tokyo Toy Show		More than 150 toy companies from Japan and overseas gather for the big trade fair with their new, eye-catching toys. On Public Days opened to anyone, people can try the toys, see character shows, etc, at the booths and the stages.	At Tokyo Big Sight (= Tokyo International Exhibition Center)   Public Days: A weekend in June
Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri		It is the summer festival of Namiyoke Shrine in Tsukiji.   On the Sunday, people hold a big parade with MIkoshis (portable shrines) and the those with Shishi (the wooden lion head.)	At Namiyoke Shrine in Tsukiji   10 June for the main festival  Friday, Saturday and Sunday close to 10 June for events. The parade is on the Sunday. (Depends on the year.)
Disney Tanabata Days		Tokyo Disney Resort started Tanabata (Japanese Star Festival on 7 July) events. We can see Disney characters in Tanabata costumes, special parades, events, limited foods and rare items, which are seen in no Disneyland in the world but Tokyo.	Tokyo Disney Resort   Until 7 July (24 June - 7 July in 2015)

 

Rainy season comes to Japan in June and lasts until mid July. Although it is rainy on many days, there are some natural beauty that cannot be missed.

 

7: July

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Place & Date
Tanabata (Japanese Star Festival)		Tanabata is a traditional Japanese star festival to make wishes to stars.   People decorate bamboos with origami and write their wishes on a long piece of paper called tanzaku.	In some Japanese gardens, public places such as stations, etc.   7 July (In some districts, people hold tanabata festival in early August based on Lunar Calendar)
Iriya Asagao (morning glories) Market		A traditional market of Japanese morning glories (Asagao in Japanese) pots loved by Tokyo locals for more than 100 years.	Around Iriya Kishimojin (also, Kishibojin) Temple near Ueno   6, 7 and 8 July every year
Hozuki (Chinese lanterns) Market		A big and famous market of Hozuki (Chinese lantern) pots lasting hundreds of years in Asakusa.   It is said that a folk belief and the custom of hozuki as medical herbs got mixed up to be Hozuki Market of today.	At Sensoji Temple in Asakusa   9 & 10 July every year
Ueno Summer Festival		There are some events every day in Ueno Park. In this season, lotus flowers fill Shinobazu Pond.	In Ueno Park   Early July - Early August (Depends on the year)
Sumida River Fireworks		One of the biggest fireworks festivals in Japan.	Along Sumida River in Asakusa   On a Saturday in late July

 

There are some traditional, interesting events in Tokyo in early July. When rainy season leaves in mid July, Tokyo's hot summer comes.

 

8: August

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Place & Date
Fireworks Festivals		Fireworks are traditionally iconic in Japanese summer.   In Tokyo, Tokyo Bay Fireworks and Jingu Fireworks are big and famous. There are smaller fireworks festivals throughout Japan, too.	Tokyo Bay Fireworks: In Odaiba district, on a day in Early August   Jingu Fireworks: At Jingu Baseball Stadium, on a day in Early August
Summer Festivals		Many traditional festivals are held in shrines and temples in summer.   It is a high season for traveling, so cities, towns, shopping centers, etc, hold events to attract people, too.	In shrines and temples
Harajuku Super Yosakoi Festival		Yosakoi is an exciting Japanese folk dance started in Kochi Prefecture just after WW2.   Colorful costumes, music and dances are originated from Japanese things. Performers custom them freely with their imaginations and creativities, so yosakoi is trendy at the same time to be traditional.	Omotesando Avenue, Meiji Jingu Shrine and streets in Harajuku   In a weekend in late August
Asakusa Samba Carnival		The biggest Samba Carnival in the Northern Hemisphere is held in the main streets in Asakusa in late August.   Hundreds of thousands of people visit there to see the colorful and exciting parades.	Main streets around Sensoji Temple

 

Many fireworks festivals and traditional festivals are in August.
In the last weekend of August, there are 2 big festivals in Tokyo; One of them is Asakusa Samba Carnival and the other is Harajuku Super Yosakoi Dance Festival. Both are held in the best tourist spots in Tokyo, so if you are staying at the end of August, it is strongly recommended visiting them.

 

 

9: September

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Place & Date
Tokyo Game Show		One of World's 3 Biggest Video Game Exhibitions.   Visitors can try new video games that have not been released. It is an event for cos-players and foods, too.	See Descriptions of Tokyo Game Show - What, when, where is TGS
Jugoya (Moon Viewing)		Japanese people have thought that it is the best season to view the moon. People display rice dumplings and flower arrangements for moon viewing.	A day close to full moon. (15 August in Lunar Calendar)

 

Although it is still hot, Japanese early autumn comes in September.
September is traditionally an elegant season in Japan and Jugoya is the essence. Autumn grass and flowers are beautiful in Japanese gardens.

 

10: October

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Place & Date
Autumn Leaves (Fall Foliage)		Autumn colors come from cold places. In Mt. Fuji hillside, it starts in early October. In Tokyo City, the peak is late November to early December.	In Mt. Fuji hillside, North Japan, highlands, etc. (NOT in Tokyo City)   From Early October
Jusanya (Moon Viewing)		Another moon viewing day is in October.	A day close to full moon. (13 September in Lunar Calendar.)
Tokyo Motor Show		One of the biggest exhibitions of cars and motorbikes in the world.   Not only exhibitions and conferences, we can test-ride next-generation vehicles.	At Tokyo Big Sight (= Tokyo International Exhibition Center)   Late October - Early November, ONCE TWO YEARS (30 Oct. - 8 Nov. in 2015)
Halloween		Halloween is getting more and more popular among Japanese people as an exciting event to stroll in streets with wearing costumes. You will see many shops selling Halloween costumes in October.	In Shibuya, Harajuku/Omotesando, etc.   See how Halloween in Shibuya is like.

 

The sky becomes clear and the temperature is comfortable, so October is the best for hiking in a year. It is also great for any outdoor activities.
Not only Halloween that is part of modern pop culture, October has been a season of traditional local festivals originated from harvest in Japan. Many shrines hold them on weekend.

 

 

 

11: November

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Place & Date
Autumn Leaves (Fall Foliage)		In autumn, some leaves turn red and yellow.   Especially, red maple leaves are considered to be another Japanese natural beauty as well as cherry blossoms in spring.   In Tokyo City, the peak is late November to early December.	In Japanese gardens, parks, temples, shrines, etc.   In Mt. Takao, the peak comes earlier than Tokyo City; It is middle of November. In Tokyo City, it comes at the end of November or in early December.   See Autumn Color in Tokyo City - Fall Foliage & Maple Leaves in Rikugien Garden

 

November doesn't look like a month that has many events in this calendar, but it is not true.
3 November is Culture Day in Japan, and autumn is said to be the best season for cultural activities, sports and foods, so you have many chances to meet interesting things. You will see some children in kimono at shrines and temples especially on weekends. It is because of Shichi-go-san, a traditional Japanese custom to celebrate children's growth.

 

 

12: December

Event	Photo	Descriptions	Place & Date
Christmas		There are many lighting events in winter in Japan.	In Tokyo, those events are held in districts for young people such as Odaiba.   Most of them last until New Year and some do until March.   For example - Blue Fantasy of Carreta Shiodome, Yebisu Garden Place & more.
Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks		Fireworks are held mostly in summer, but there are some fireworks events in Odaiba on weekends in December.	In Odaiba, the bay side district.   On weekends.   See photos on Why I Push Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks.
Watch-Night Bells		Buddhist temples toll bells 108 times at 0:00 of 1 January to blow away bad desires for a fresh start.	At Buddhist temples 31 December

 

Beautiful Christmas illuminations decorate modern Tokyo City. In late December, delis sell osechi (traditional foods for New Year) and people prepare for New Year. Some public places close at the end of December.