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Updated: August 8, 2024

Best Things to Do and See in Tokyo in September

Is September a good time to visit Tokyo?

This is the month when Tokyo glides from summer to autumn. You can enjoy the best of both worlds with quintessential summer activities, such as fireworks displays, and festivals celebrating the arrival of autumnal plants and foods.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in September?

Tokyo's summer heat continues into early September, with high temperatures and humidity. But later in the month the heat gradually relents, and the weather is often very pleasant. The average temperature is 26.7℃ (80.0℉), with highs of 31.2℃ (88.2℉) and lows of 23.6℃ (74.5℉). Typhoons may approach Tokyo at this time of year. Temperatures can drop suddenly during rain, so bring rain gear and light jackets. Keep an eye on the news for the latest typhoon information.
Note: This guidance is based on meteorological data for 2023.

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

Hagi (bush clover) tunnel

Hagi (bush clover) is another flower associated with autumn. One of the best places to see these delicate blooms is Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden, a beautiful flower garden with over 200 years of history. Every September, hagi is grown over a 30-meter-long bamboo frame to create a Hagi (bush clover) tunnel is in bloom.

 

Cosmos Festival

Cosmos Festival takes place at Showa Kinen Park, with three fields of flowers across roughly 20,000 square meters. From September through October, around 4.4 million cosmos flowers of multiple varieties come into bloom on the 20,000-square-meter grounds. During the festival, there will be places set up to take memorable photos to post on social media.

 

Asakusa Samba Carnival

The Asakusa Samba Carnival is Japan's largest samba carnival, and a perfect match for the summer months. Authentic samba teams in gorgeous costumes gather from all over Japan to dance in a parade formation alongside unique floats. This is a wonderful opportunity to see Japan's top samba talents showcase their skills in this fun cross-cultural event.

Asakusa Samba Carnival Executive Committee

Tokyo Festival 2024

Tokyo Festival is an international performing arts festival held every autumn in the Ikebukuro area of Toshima City. The 2024 event will take place from September 15-29 at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre and Global Ring Theatre (Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park outdoor stage). This year, special tours will be available for domestic and foreign visitors whose native language is English, Korean, or Chinese. For further details, please visit the official website.

 

Chofu's Autumn Fireworks

Chofu's Autumn Fireworks are famous in the Kanto region and have been around for over 30 years. This year's festival will feature 50 large fireworks in rapid succession and "Hanabillusion," a display that combines music and fireworks. In addition, last year's popular "artisanal fireworks" will return. The beauty and splendor of the fireworks will be a sight to remember.

 

Nezu-jinja Shrine Annual Grand Festival

Nezu-jinja Shrine Annual Grand Festival is said to have originated in 1714, when it was founded by the shogun. One of the biggest events in the country back then, it remains a lively affair with many stalls and traditional dance performances. Nezu-jinja Shrine's 18th-century buildings deepen a sense of history.

 

Kita City Fireworks Festival

2024 marks the 11th anniversary of the Kita City fireworks festival. This year's display will consist of 10,000 colorful and brilliant fireworks made by Marugo, a fireworks company that is popular across Japan. The fireworks will be set off into the night sky in time with moving lights and music.
Also, don't miss the Kita City Artistic Fireworks Expo, where famous Japanese pyrotechnicians showcase their creations. There will also be the "Story Fireworks: 100 Years of Feelings, 100 Years of Future" event, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Arakawa Floodway and the designation of the Former Iwabuchi Flood Gate (Red Flood Gate), where the event is held, as an Important Cultural Property.

 

Shinagawa Shukuba-matsuri Festival

Shinagawa was once the first stop on the road connecting Tokyo (then called Edo) and Kyoto. Each September, people celebrate that heritage at Shinagawa Shukuba-matsuri Festival and dress up in period costumes. 

 

Fukuro Matsuri (Ikebukuro Festival)

Fukuro Matsuri is held on the west side of Ikebukuro Station. The festival was first held in 1968, when it was centered on a local shopping street. Fukuro Matsuri now attracts tens of thousands of people, with a mikoshi (portable shrine) parade as well as energetic music and dance performances.

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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