My Tokyo Guide
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Updated: May 15, 2024
June in Tokyo means the beginning of a fascinating time of year: the rainy season. Purple and blue hydrangeas that burst into bloom all over the city are among the visual highlights. With no shortage of events (both indoors and out), there's always a lot to do and see in Tokyo in June.
June in Tokyo brings the rainy season, a type of monsoon. The weather is warm and humid. The daily average temperature is 23.2°C, or about 73.76°F. The humidity makes it feel warmer, so dress lightly. There's plenty of sunshine, too, but don't forget an umbrella.
One great way for those over 20 (the legal drinking age in Japan) to cool off is at beer gardens. Almost anywhere you look—from the rooftops of department stores, to the beach at Odaiba, and the outer garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine—you'll find beer gardens serving food and drinks. Eager to escape the city center? Head west to Mt. Takao and enjoy Mt. Takao Beer Mount.
Sanno Festival takes place in Akasaka, at Hie-jinja Shrine. Along with Kanda-matsuri Festival and Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, it's known as one of the three great festivals of Edo. At this traditional event, you can watch kagura dances with traditional musical accompaniment, and see a procession of children in costume. One highlight is the Jinkosai, where 500 people gather to parade through the city. This procession is typically held every other year and will take place in 2024 for the first time in six years.
Fireflies only appear around pristine bodies of water, and—if you're lucky—you can find some in Tokyo under the right conditions. From mid- to late June, Yuyake Koyake Fureai no Sato, located in Hachioji, hosts "Firefly Nights." There are also firefly events at Hana Biyori, next to Yomiuriland theme park. Fussa Firefly Festival, as the name indicates, is a firefly festival in Fussa City. Visit on a warm, clear night for the best results.
Hydrangeas bloom in early summer, and they look stunning on a day of mist and gentle rain. Special festivals celebrate them, and perhaps the best known is Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival (Ajisai Matsuri) at Hakusan-jinja Shrine, which features approximately 3,000 hydrangea plants. At Takahata Fudoson Temple's hydrangea festival, you can enjoy the sight of hydrangeas surrounding a five-story pagoda. And at Tokyo Summerland's Wonderful Nature Village, you can take your dog on a hike among the hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas aren't the only floral stars in June—Japanese irises, too, look fabulous. These vibrant flowers can be seen in many colors at the Katsushika Iris Festival (Shobu Matsuri) held at Horikiri Shobuen Iris Garden and Mizumoto Park. You can also enjoy them at the Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens (near Tokyo Dome), Meiji Jingu's Inner Garden, and the Imperial Palace East Garden.
Go with the flow and spend a rainy day inside at one of Tokyo's many aquariums. Experience the soothing atmosphere of Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa, located near Shinagawa Station, which is achieved with diverse light and sound displays that differs by season, and by time of day. Shinagawa Aquarium, near Omori Kaigan, has popular sea lion and dolphin shows. Other great choices include Sumida Aquarium, adjacent to TOKYO SKYTREE, as well as Sunshine Aquarium, on the roof of World Import Mart Building in Ikebukuro.
"Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia" is one of the largest international short film festivals in Asia and is officially recognized by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2024, the festival will be held from Tuesday, June 4 through Monday, June 17 at several venues across Tokyo. The festival will present a collection of films that reflect our current moment. For the first time in the history of the festival, a short film that was entirely produced by AI will be shown. There will also be an online marketplace for short film creators and other content.
Note: Online screenings this year run from April 25 through June 30.
Spectators flock to see the mikoshi (portable shrine) parade at Torikoe Festival, an annual event that takes place in June near Asakusa in the old heart of Tokyo. Visitors can also enjoy evening lantern light-ups, and more.