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Updated: July 12, 2024

Is August a good time to visit Tokyo?

August marks the height of summer festival season in Japan, so there are plenty of events to enjoy. Local festivals, fireworks, and Bon-odori dances allow you to enjoy traditional summer festivities all over Tokyo.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in August?

During the day, temperatures average around 29.2ºC (84.6ºF) and often exceed 35.0ºC (95ºF). Even at night, temperatures hover around 26ºC (79ºF), making Tokyo very hot in August. Bring light, airy clothing to help beat the heat. Downpours and typhoons are possible in August, so be prepared and keep rain gear handy.
Note: This guidance is based on meteorological data for 2023.

Best events, festivals, and other things to do in August

Kiyose Sunflower Festival

The Kiyose Sunflower Festival offers a sweeping view of brilliant yellow flowers under the dazzling summer sun, and is the biggest event of its kind in Tokyo. The vast venue, measuring roughly 24,000 square meters, is filled with some 100,000 sunflowers, a sight that draws crowds of visitors each year. The brilliant yellows and greens of the sunflower field offer a perfect opportunity for photos, so make sure to bring a camera. More serious photographers may be interested in the annual photo contest held during the festival. Visitors can purchase cut flowers and fresh local vegetables at the event.

 

Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival)

The Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) is held every year in early August. It's hosted by the Asagaya Pearl Center Shopping Street, a 750-meter-long shopping arcade at the south exit of JR Asagaya Station. The street will be covered in bamboo decorations and elaborate papier-mâché sculptures. The displays change each time, and are made with incredible attention to detail, giving visitors a reason to come back year after year.

 

Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival

The Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival is held every August at Meiji Jingu Gaien. The event is expected to draw 1 million people to the area. You can enjoy fireworks and live performances by famous and up-and-coming artists. The sight of 10,000 fireworks being set off in the city is an unmissable summer tradition in Tokyo.

ⒸNikkan Sports News, Inc.

 

Sumida River Toro Nagashi (Lantern-Floating Ceremony)

During the Sumida River Toro Nagashi, experience the sight of a thousand paper lanterns floating down the tranquil Sumida River. For one night in August, visitors to Asakusa make wishes and release lanterns from Shinsui Terrace. Contact the Asakusa Tourism Federation or the Sumida Tourism Association for details about how to get your own lantern.

 

Fukagawa Hachiman Festival (Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine Festival)

The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival (Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine Festival), typically held around August 15, is one of the three great festivals of Edo (the old name for Tokyo). During the festival, you can take in a stunning view of the procession of participants carrying mikoshi (portable shrines) through the streets. If you're lucky, you may even be asked to join in—spectators "purify" the mikoshi carriers by splashing them with water, giving the event its nickname: the "water-splashing festival." The 2024 procession will be held on August11.

 

Bon-odori in Tokyo

Bon-odori, a traditional dance, is an integral part of Japanese summer festivals. Bon-odori events are typically held from mid- to late August, in shrines, parks, and other locations across Japan. Participants generally form a circle and dance rhythmically while holding hands. Dances differ by region, and you can experience a broad assortment in Tokyo. Many people participate while wearing a "yukata," a traditional summer kimono-like garment. Feel free to wear a yukata while attending the festivities.

 

Koenji Awa-odori Dance

The Koenji Awa-odori Dance is one of Tokyo's most famous summer festivals. Held over two days during a weekend in late August, the festival features around 10,000 dancers and a million spectators. Traditional music and dance, combined with an exhilarating atmosphere, make this event truly memorable.

ⒸTokyo Koenji Awa-odori

 

Azabu-Juban Noryo Festival

The Azabu-Juban Noryo Festival, hosted by Azabujuban Shotengai, is an institution that stretches back over 50 years. Along with the impressive booths set up by famous local stores and new favorites, an array of specialties from all over Japan will be sold at the "Oragakuni Jiman" market, and there will be performances on the "10-BANG" stage.

 

Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi

Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi in the Greater Tokyo Area blends traditional Yosakoi dance from Kochi Prefecture with the latest trends from Harajuku and Omotesando. Teams of dancers from Kochi, across Japan, and around the world gather to put on an incredible show.

Event on This Month

 

Calendar

January January in Tokyo speaks of traditions. Start the New Year in good spirits and head to a temple or shrine for Hatsumode on January 1 and pray like the locals do for peace and good health. Some begin their sojourn the night before on New Year's Eve to hear temple bells chime 108 times as the new year dawns, but Hatsumode is drawn out and takes place over 2-3 days.
February Tokyo's festival and event card is varied in February. Visit Tokyo at this time of year and you'll be witness to festivals and events that honor ume (plum blossoms), banish devils, celebrate the efforts of runners and see an unusual take on Valentine's Day—only men are supposed to receive chocolate.
March Temperatures and moods begin to thaw in March, the month heralding the start of spring. While cherry blossoms or sakura appear at month's end and are eagerly awaited, the rest of March offers much to see and do.
April April in Tokyo is blooming marvelous. Many of spring's events have a floral focus, with the highly anticipated Sakura or cherry blossom season reigning supreme. Join in the hanami or flower viewing parties all over the city.
May May festivals and events begin with the latter half of cluster of Golden Week holidays. Greenery or Arbor Day (May 4) sees entry fees waived in many of the cities parks and gardens, while Children's Day (May 5) heralds the arrival of brightly colored carp or koi streamers festooned around the city.
June Visit Tokyo in June, and the weather begins to get steamy. Rainy season arrives, but not all days are marked by wet weather. Embrace the increasing humidity with the official opening of Tokyo's many beer gardens and imbibe in a glass of your favorite ale. From the lofty heights of the beer garden atop Mt. Takao to the elegant surrounds of Meiji Kinenkan, you'll find a beer garden for every occasion.
July From the booming sound of fireworks lighting up the night sky to the soothing sounds of fuurin wind chimes tinkling in the breeze, July in Tokyo is a sensory experience. Festivals and events ranging from spectacular fireworks shows and ancestral bon odori rites to the sonic wizardry of summer music festivals that attract the best of domestic and international artists.
August August sees Tokyo at it’s hottest, but a continuing cascade of fireworks, traditional obon dances, multicolored tanabata lantern events, and the height of official water park and beach season all provide welcome distractions.
September September means sayonara, or goodbye, to the soaring heat of summer. Nights begin to cool and temperatures become more bearable, but these changes also see the occasional typhoon. Many of the city’s beer gardens remain open, however, a reminder that there’s still fun to be had outdoors yet.
October October, the height of autumn, is one of the best times of year to visit Tokyo. From ongoing traditional festivals to art and cultural soirees to culinary-focused events celebrating the bounty of the season—the city's event card is full.
November Visit November in Tokyo and shade yourself in hues of yellow, orange, red and golden brown. With seasonal foliage at its finest, the month sees the arrival of Koyo, or changing autumn leaves. Bask in the rich-jeweled tones of the season at Rikugien Gardens—at night the grounds are illuminated—or delight in the vibrant yellows of the city's numerous ginko trees.
December Tokyo is dazzling in December–literally–when the city lights up with illuminations. The dark nights are an ideal canvas for intricate and elaborate light displays and the illuminations are a signature winter sight.

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