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Festivals & Events
Traditional festivals & seasonal events in Tokyo
Japan experiences all four distinctive seasons. Each season; spring, summer, autumn, and winter, has its own special festivals and events. In Tokyo, many unique festivals and events celebrating various holidays and seasons, are held throughout the year. They include traditional religious festivals, modern anime conventions, and fireworks displays.
Below, we have gathered a selection of some of the most well-known/popular festivals in Tokyo such as firework festivals, cherry blossom viewing (Hanami), autumn leaf viewing, and Christmas illuminations. We also included some of our suggestions for seasonal recreational activities.
Setsubun: Welcoming Spring with Ogres, Beans, and Sushi
Famous for bean-throwing antics and parents dressed in ogre costumes to scare children, Setsubun is celebrated on February 3 to mark the first day of spring that lands on February 4. The holiday is a chance to banish evil spirits from your home and bring in good luck for the year ahead, and may be o…
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6 Great Places for 'Hatsumode' during the Japanese New Year
On the first day of the Japanese new year, you will see many people heading to shinto shrines and temples for "hatsumode," or the first prayer of the year. On this day, people bring back old omamori protective amulets - which are supposed to have a shelf life of one year - and obtain new ones from t…
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Tokyo Flea Market Guide: 10 Bastions of Bargain-Hunting
There are many different ways to experience the culture of a foreign place, but nothing gives quite the same insight into local pop culture, history and everyday life as a flea market. Tokyo has plenty such gatherings (known as "furima" in Japanese) on offer, so whether it’s antiques, local fashion,…
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Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo 2021 - A Brief Guide to Hanami Culture & List of Popular Spots
According to the latest forecast ( as of March 15, 2021 ) by the Japan Weather Association (JWA), cherry blossoms in Tokyo have begun blooming. It is the same date as last year (March 14) and kept the record of the earliest date since 1953. The New Coronavirus affects Cherry Blossoms Festivals 2021…
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Welcoming the Obon Holiday: Exploring Japanese Tradition
Japan is well-known for its festivals, especially during the summertime. Fireworks, festivities, and food is the image that comes to mind for most people. However, Obon is a festival with a difference. With a far more sombre meaning and background, Obon is one of the most important holidays and fes…
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Where to buy Halloween costumes and decorations in Tokyo
Halloween 2019 is coming up very soon. Have you decided your costume for this year? In recent years, Halloween's popularity has clearly increased in Tokyo. People in Tokyo spend a lot of time and money putting together their costumes every year. Streets in Tokyo and shopping malls put up spooky Hall…
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10 Top Tokyo Festivals to Satisfy Your Cultural Craving
One of the most enjoyable aspects of life in Japan is the many festivals that take place throughout the year, often distinct to an area or region. Tokyo is no exception, with a number of unique festivals ranging from religious parades where people carry shrines, to the enormous dance festivals of su…
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Tokyo Art Exhibitions: 9 Inspired Events for Culture Lovers
The kaleidoscopic cultural canvas of Tokyo is home to a range of multi-disciplinary art festivals. For visitors, this means the opportunity to see works from emerging and established artists across a range of mediums and subject areas. From innovative ideas about home and lifestyle to modern interpr…
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Koyo: Autumn Leaf Viewing in Tokyo
Koyo is the Japanese word for autumn leaves changing colors, and like Hanami in the spring, it offers a great opportunity to get out and enjoy a picnic on a fall afternoon in Tokyo. For those of you living in the Hiroo, Azabu, or Roppongi areas, there are some great options nearby where you can do j…
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Nengajo – New Year’s Cards
Every year in late December the Japanese postal system is inundated with colorful post cards crisscrossing the country. These are 年賀状 (Nengajo) or New Year’s cards. Similarly to the way many westerners send Christmas cards to family and friends, Japanese people send nengajo to friends and family, co…
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