Sumidagawa Paper Lantern Floating Sumidagawa paper lantern floating (灯篭流し, tōrō-nagashi) festival began in 1946 to pay respects and mourn those who lost…
Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri Tanabata (七夕) has origins in a Chinese festival of old and is celebrated not just in Japan, but…
Torigoe Matsuri This festival—centered around Torigoe Shrine in Asakusabashi—has a history dating back to the Heian era (794-1185 CE), but…
Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival This annual hanabi-taikai has roots dating back to 1732 when it was first held in remembrance of the those…
Asakusa Hozuki Ichi The Hozuki Ichi (ほおずき市, hōzuki-ichi) is a summer tradition that has been held since the Edo period on…
Iriya Asagao Matsuri The Iriya Asagao Matsuri (入谷朝顔まつり) claims to be the country’s biggest festival dedicated to Morning Glories, and takes…
Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival The Crying Sumo Festival (泣き相撲) is undoubtedly one of Tokyo’s more unusual events—and one which has attracted the…
Sanja Matsuri The Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s most electrifying and boisterous celebrations, held every May at the historic…
Asakusa Yabusame Archery Yabusame (horseback archery) has its roots in the Kamakura period when samurai used the competition to improve their skills…
Ueno Park Taiwan Festival First held in 2011 to celebrate 100 years since the formation of Taiwan, as well as an event…
Asakusa Samba Carnival Held annually since 1981, the Asakusa Samba Carnival is one of the biggest events on the Tokyo calendar,…
Oiran Dochu Oiran (花魁) is a word used to refer to the high-class prostitutes that worked in the Yoshiwara red-light…
