19 Best Summer Events in Japan 2019 ― July and August

Oedo Onsen Kingyo Monogatari

Oedo Onsen Kingyo Monogatari

Oedo Onsen Kingyo Monogatari

A terrarium consists of a glass container with soil and plants inside and at the Kingyo Matsuri Art Exhibition you can check out Japan’s largest Japanese-style terrarium. Stretching 5m (16ft) high and 1.5m (5ft) wide, this larger-than-life terrarium consists of bonsai, moss, and driftwood. Inspired by the ladies in Ooku of Edo Castle, the Yukata aquarium section features cylinder shaped fish tanks which are wrapped in beautiful kimono material and filled with beautiful goldfish. This spot provides some great photo opportunities. Also check out the Ryukin goldfish, the “one million yen goldfish”, in its artistically designed tank.

Event dates: From June 24 - September 1, 2019

Access: 2-minute walk from Shinko Yurikamome "Telecom Center" station


【URL】https://daiba.ooedoonsen.jp/en/

“one million yen goldfish”

東京 お台場 大江戸温泉物語

東京都江東区青海2-6-3

03-5500-1126

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Shiraito no Taki Projection Mapping 2019

Shiraito no Taki Projection Mapping 2019

Shiraito no Taki Projection Mapping 2019

For 8 years Karuizawa-Shiraito Highland Way has been putting on a spectacular illumination display that amazes tourists every year and this year the event will be held at Shiraito Falls. Combining nature and technology, this display enhances the natural beauty of the area using projection mapping. Careful research has been done in order to ensure the light show has no negative effects on the plants and animals. This has been designated as one of Japan’s Night View Heritage sites so it is definitely a must-see!

Event dates: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from July 26- August 25, 2019
Everyday from August 12-August 15, 2019

Opening hours: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day

Access: Take a bus from Karuizawa Station North Exit 2 line that goes to Kitakaruizawa via Shiraito Falls. Get off at the Shiraito Falls stop and walk 3-5 minutes to the falls

Shiraito no Taki Projection Mapping 2019

白糸ハイランドウェイ

長野県北佐久郡軽井沢町

0267310070

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Digitized Forest at the World Heritage Site of Shimogamo Shrine Art by teamLab

Digitized Forest at the World Heritage Site of Shimogamo Shrine Art by teamLab

Digitized Forest at the World Heritage Site of Shimogamo Shrine Art by teamLab

For the third time, TeamLab will be hosting a digital art exhibition with the theme “Digitized Forest”. The event will be held at Shimogamo Shrine, which has been designated as a cultural asset of the World Heritage Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The shrine will be transformed into an art display which combines seemingly opposite elements of nature and technology. As you walk through the forest, transformed with light displays, you will notice the art installations change color in response to your touch. The aim of this event is to present to the world the beauty of Japanese culture and tradition through works of art. You can buy tickets at Lawson, Ministop stores or purchase them at the venue.


Event dates: August 17-September 2, 2019

Access: 12-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station

【URL】https://www.teamlab.art/e/shimogamo/

Digitized Forest at the World Heritage Site of Shimogamo Shrine Art by teamLab

Digitized Forest at the World Heritage Site of Shimogamo Shrine Art by teamLab

Kawai-jinja Shrine

4.0

128 Reviews

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Shimogamoizumigawachou

0757810010

6:30-17:30

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HaNaBi Aquarium by NAKED

HaNaBi Aquarium by NAKED

HaNaBi Aquarium by NAKED

Enter a world that features dazzling cutting-edge fireworks shooting up into the ocean world at an event produced by NAKED at the Maxwell Aqua Park Shinagawa. The show gets started in the entrance to the aquarium where a view of the night sky is projected on the wall and a simple touch of your hand sets off bursts of fireworks. Check out the colorful penguin performance which is concluded with fireworks lighting up the floor and walls. During the dolphin performance the natural beauty of the dolphin is captured and it is complimented with music and digital fireworks to make for a stunning and emotional show.

Event dates: July 13-September 29, 2019

Access: 2-minute walk from Shinagawa Station

【URL】http://www.aqua-park.jp/special/hanabiaquarium2018/

Aqua Park Shinagawa

Tokyo Minato-ku Takanawa 4-10-30 within Shinagawa Prince Hotel

0354211111

[Weekday] 10:00-18:30 (Last …

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Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia

Milky Way Illumination

From the start of June this year, the Tokyo Tower’s main deck will be illuminated by around 17,000 light bulbs as the Milky Way, with a bright blue background and sparkling stars (including a few shooting stars!) Throughout the night, the illumination will gradually be reflected on the glass windows of the observation deck and appear as though it’s a starry sky 150 meters above the city of Tokyo below.

This incredible spectacle will also coincide with the “Tokyo Tower City Light Fantasia - Cool Japanese Summer” event where atmospheric scenes from the season will be recreated through projection mapping.

Event dates: June 1 - September 1 2019
Event times: 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm　　　　　　
Meeting place: Tokyo’s Tower’s Main Deck 2nd floor North floor

【URL】https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/event/illumination/milkyway2019/en.html

Tokyo Tower

4.0

8296 Reviews

Tokyo Minato-ku Shibakouen 4-2-8

0334335111

[Main deck] 9:00-22:30 (Last…

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Tokyo Tower Observatory Admission Ticket

¥1,200

Update date：2023/10/01

Midtown Loves Summer 2019

ASHIMIZU

ROKU Midpark Lounge

As the heat of summer sets in, Midtown will be celebrating under the concept of “Japanese Summer Coolness”, with a variety of events to help alleviate the soaring summer temperatures. In Lawn Square, the Light and Mist Digital Art Garden will be created as cool mist envelops the garden and colorful lights replicate fireworks.

If cocktails and food on a rooftop lounge are more your thing, head to the ROKU Midpark Lounge, which is being hosted by Japanese craft gin maker ROKU.

Also taking place is the ASHIMIZU presented by Iemon event where you can experience the evening coolness beside a tranquil brook burbling through the Midtown Garden.

Event dates: July 12 - August 25 2019

【URL】https://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/event/summer/

Tokyo Midtown

4.0

939 Reviews

Tokyo Minato-ku Akasaka 9-7-1 others

0334753100

[Shop] 11:00-21:00 [Restaur…

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Image

Image

Situated in Shibuya, the Ota Memorial Museum of Art has a collection of around 12,000 ukiyo-e (a unique Japanese genre of woodblock prints and paintings), with exhibits that change throughout the seasons. Its holdings are based on the collection of Ōta Seizo V who began collecting ukiyo-e in the 1920s. During the peak of summer each year, the museum hosts a ukiyo-e exhibition themed on yokai, which depict monsters, ghosts and devils.

Aside from browsing these unique ukiyo-e, we also recommend admiring the yurei (ghosts) exhibition at Zensho-an, with most painted from the Edo to Meiji periods.

Ota Memorial Museum of Art Event dates: August 1 to 28 2019
Zensho-an Event dates: August 1 to 31 2019

Ota Memorial Museum of Art

Tokyo Shibuya-ku Jingumae 1-10-10

05055418600

10:30-17:30 (until 17:00 adm…

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Zenshoan

3.5

35 Reviews

Tokyo Met. Taitou-ku Yanaka 5-4-7

0338214715

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ECO EDO Nihonbashi Art Aquarium

ECO EDO Nihonbashi Art Aquarium

ECO EDO Nihonbashi Art Aquarium

Japan has long had a love of goldfish, both big and small, and as the Art Aquarium exhibition in Nihonbashi has reached its 9 year we’ve been able to see how far you can go with goldfish as a medium. What started out in 2001 as a bit of a novelty by producer Hidetomo Kimura has evolved into a large scale nighttime event spanning multiple locations and integrating other aspects of Japanese culture and performance. Goldfish had never been a spectacle until now.

Art Aquarium is exactly what it sounds like, but still difficult to fully describe until you’re standing in front of a massive LED-lit dome filled with fish while you drink champagne, watch geisha perform under neon, and mix with the crowd under a DJ’s background beats. This is not your normal trip to the aquarium, but definitely worth it as a nighttime spot although it can get a bit crowded.

Event dates: July 5 - September 23 2019
Event times: Art Aquarium 11: 00-19: 00, Night Aquarium 19:00-

【URL】http://artaquarium.jp/en/

Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall

3.5

30 Reviews

Tokyo Chuou-ku Nihombashimuromachi 2-2-1

0352003210

[Weekday]10:00-19:00

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100 Step Staircase Exhibition

100 Step Staircase Exhibition

100 Step Staircase Exhibition

If you’ve never been to Meguro Gajoen in any season, we definitely recommend popping in to see the sheer opulence of the place, but also to check out the various events at the 100 Step Staircase (Hyakudan Kaidan) exhibition space. Summertime brings more summer-themed art including nicely-lit and presented works from around Japan, including famed nebuta float pieces from Aomori.

Event dates: July 6 - September 1 2019

【URL】https://www.hotelgajoen-tokyo.com/en/hyakudankaidan/

ホテル雅叙園東京

東京都目黒区下目黒1-8-1

0354343837

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Take-Toro Festival

Enoshima Lanterns

Throughout the month of August, the entire island of Enoshima off the Shōnan coast of Kanagawa will be atmospherically illuminated with lanterns. In 2018, the event was designated as a Japan Night-View Heritage, with more than 1,000 toro lanterns lining the pathways that lead from the entrance of Enoshima to the Iwaya Cave. The Enoshima Sea Candle (a tower in the Samuel Cocking Garden) is where the majority of the illuminations will take place, together with the Enoshima Shrine.

In addition, the first Saturday and Sunday in August will see the Tatsunokuchi Take-Toro Festival held at the Ryukoji Temple in the city of Fujisawa.

Event dates: August 1 to 31 2019

Event times: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm (Enoshima Samuel Cocking Garden until 8:00 pm (final entry at 7:30 pm))

Yasaka Shrine

3.5

4 Reviews

Kanagawa Pref. Fujisawashi Enoshima 2-3-8

0466224020

[Worship times]Open 24 hours

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Samuel Cocking Garden

Kanagawa Pref. Fujisawashi Enoshima 2-3

0466232444

9:00-20:00 (Last entry19:30)…

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Ryukoji Temple

4.0

57 Reviews

Kanagawa Fujisawa-shi Katase 3-13-37

0466257357

9:00-16:00 (May change due t…

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Enmusubi Wind Chime Festival

Enmusubi Wind Chime Festival

Enmusubi Wind Chime Festival

Famed as a “love shrine” where young Japanese singles go in search of finding their life-long partner, the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is situated in Saitama Prefecture. Each year, it holds a Wind Chime Festival featuring colorful fuurin (wind chimes) that adorn the shrine grounds and create a romantic atmosphere as the sun goes down.

It’s a highly photogenic event, with images of the Milky Way illuminating the shrine’s brook and a corridor lined with wind bells. Games such as fishing for fish-shaped fortunes and special festival sweets are available, together with a limited number of amulets.

Event dates: July 6 to September 8 2019

【URL】http://www.hikawa-fuurin.jp/

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

3.0

1 Reviews

Saitama Pref. Kawagoeshi Miyashitamachi 2-11

0492240589

8:00-18:00

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Tokyo Kingyo Wonderland

Tokyo Kingyo Wonderland

Tokyo Kingyo Wonderland

Kingyo translates from Japanese as “goldfish” and this summer, the Sumida Aquarium will be hosting a retro-themed event at their Edorium permanent exhibition zone. Surrounded by vintage advertising signs and Showa-era decorations, visitors can admire beautiful goldfish while experiencing this nostalgic atmosphere.

Images of goldfish will be projected on the floor, with the water rippling as you step onto it. In addition, there will be an experimental Kingyo Color Matching program where the patterns of your favorite goldfish species are reproduced as a chigiri-e (torn paper) pictures.

Event dates: July 12 to October 30 2019

Tokyo Skytree (R)

Tokyo Sumida-ku Oshiage 1-1-2

0570550634

[Observatory] 10:00-21:00 (L…

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[Official Partner] Tokyo Skytree® Tickets-Skip The Line Reserved Tickets

¥3,000

Update date：2023/10/01

SUMIDA AQUARIUM

4.0

851 Reviews

Tokyo Sumida-ku Oshiage 1-1-2 Tokyo Sky Tree Town/Sola Machi 5/6 F

0356191821

[Weekday]10:00-20:00(Last en…

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Tokyo Bay Summer Night Cruise

Tokyo Bay Summer Night Cruise

If you want some of the best night views of Tokyo Bay, step aboard the 5,000-ton　class Tokyo Bay Summer Ship “Salvia Maru”. It departs from the Takeshiba terminal and cruises around the bay, accompanied by a varied menu of food and all-you-can-drink beverages.

Inside the terminal is a yukata shop where you can rent a summer kimono (and be dressed by a professional), then enjoy a 1,000-yen discount off your cruise ticket on a weekday while wearing your yukata.

Step aboard to explore the six decks of the ship, with the back of the A deck featuring an event stage where music and dance performances are showcased. Yukata dance performances will take place for the last time in 2019, so this is your final chance to experience them on board!

Event dates: June 28 to September 23 2019

【URL】https://www.nouryousen.jp/index.shtml

東京湾納涼船

東京都港区海岸1丁目12-2

0354729999

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Yebisu Garden Picnic

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Yebisu Garden Place is a large commercial complex in Ebisu (a major district of Shibuya) that hosts an annual Picnic Cinema each summer. The theme for 2019 is “Look up to find a rainbow”, with 15 films projected on the large screen each evening at 7:30 pm. These will include Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and classics like “The Wizard of Oz”.

In addition, the space will be used in the morning (7:30 am) and evening (7 pm) for Picnic Yoga on the artificial turf. These relaxing and rejuvenating sessions are restricted to just 100 people on a first come, first served basis. The space will also host the Botanical Picnic by GreenSnap, a large gathering of green thumbs where you can buy plants and participate in workshops.

Event dates: July 13 to August 25 2019

【URL】https://gardenplace.jp.e.adx.hp.transer.com/event/detail.php?id=372

Yebisu Garden Place

4.0

481 Reviews

Tokyo Shibuya-ku Ebisu 4-20

0354237111

Depends on establishment

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City Light Fantasia By Naked - New World

City Light Fantasia By Naked - New World

Beginning in the spring and extending to the end of summer, the Yokohama Landmark Tower will be projected with the image of a fictional city of the future. This unique event is being hosted by creative company Naked Inc. with the theme being “New World”.

Minato Mirai’s futuristic waterfront is the perfect setting for this spectacular event, with visual renditions projected onto the Yokohama Landmark Tower’s windows. The result is an image of this city and its bustling port that has never been seen before in a space where art, design and technology meet.

Event dates: April 26 to August 31 2019

Event times: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm (until 10:00 pm every Friday, Saturday and specific days, with final entry 30 minutes before closing time)

【URL】https://www.yokohama-landmark.jp/citylightfantasia/newworld/

Sky Garden (Yokohama Landmark Tower 69th floor observation deck)

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Nishi-ku Minatomirai 2-2-1 Yokohama Landmark Tower 69F

0452225030

[Normal business hours] 10:0…

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Kyo no Tanabata

Kyo no Tanabata

If you’re visiting Kyoto at the beginning of August, then don’t miss the opportunity to experience the Kyo no Tanabata festival that will be taking place across the city. It’s centered around the main areas of Horikawa and Kamogawa, although events will also be happening at the Heian Shrine and the Kyoto Aquarium. In Horikawa, you can walk through a Milky Way-inspired tunnel made from bamboo and LED lights while at Kamogawa you’ll find large bamboo baskets (furinto) holding lamps and wind chimes, as well as a projection mapping installation on the water. Yukata fashion shows and traditional silk dyeing demonstrations will also take place, with plenty of food stalls where you can sample local delicacies.

Event dates: http://www.kyoto-tanabata.jp/en/place/

【URL】http://www.kyoto-tanabata.jp/en/

Kyo no Tanabata

Kyo no Tanabata

祇園四条駅 1番口

京都府京都市東山区宮川筋2丁目

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Nijojo-mae

Kyoto

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Dogo Onsen × Naked MESSAGE-Phoenix, Arrival-

Dogo Onsen × Naked MESSAGE-Phoenix, Arrival-

Naked Inc. will also be using its creative talents for a projection mapping event at the Dogo Onsen to celebrate the restoration of its 125-year-old Main Building. A sound and light show associated with the original animation “Hi no Tori (Fire bird) ” will take place, featuring the work of legendary manga artist Osamu Tezuka.

Titled “Dogo Reborn”, the story centers around the theme of Japanese cultural regeneration, with the phoenix being a symbol of eternal life, pouring energy over those who have protected the land throughout the ages. A statue of Tezuka's phoenix will be at the center of the show, which is free to view.

Event dates: From Apri 27 2019
Event times: 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm (every 15 minutes)
【URL】https://dogo.jp/en/

Dogo Onsen Honkan

4.0

937 Reviews

Ehime Pref. Matsuyamashi Dougoyunomachi 5-6

0899215141

6:00-23:00 (Last entry at 22…

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The New Otani Pools

The New Otani Pools

While Japanese summers are hot and sticky there’s still a baffling lack of nice outdoor pool to cool down, sunbathe, and socialize. Public pools do exist, but are rather restrictive and are more about family time and exercise than hanging out.

If you’re looking for something a bit closer to the international standard of pool life, the New Otani Hotel has started both Day Pool and Night Pool sessions at their recently renovated rooftop deck featuring music, food and drinks, and an atmosphere much closer to the vibe of an international hotel abroad than what you’ll find at most Tokyo hotels. It’s open during the summer to both guests and the public, though non-guests will have to pay a fairly hefty charge from 10,000 yen and up depending on the day to secure a spot. Still, if you’re looking to cool down and do something different in Tokyo, this might be just what you need.

Event dates: Day pool July 6 to September 8 2019, Night pool July 12 to September 7 2019

【URL】https://www.newotani.co.jp/group/pools/tokyo/

ホテルニューオータニ

東京都千代田区紀尾井町4-1

0332651111

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CanCam Night Pool

CanCam Night Pool

This year’s theme is “Photogenic”, with creative LED lights, blow-up pool toys and Insta-worthy poolside decor. It’s always an incredibly photogenic event.

Special food and drinks are available at Tokyo Prince Hotel’s restaurants and bars, some of which boast incredible views of the Tokyo Tower. If you want to stay the night, you can also book a CanCam Special Stay Plan, including a night at the swimming pool and hotel accommodation.

Event dates: July 6 to September 16 2019

【URL】http://www.princehotels.com/tokyo/

東京プリンスホテル

東京都港区芝公園3-3-1

0334321111

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