Tokyo transforms into a whole different city in August. Not just because of the rising temperatures, but also due to all the amazing fun things that the capital has to offer for the summertime. Here are some of the things to look forward to during the summer.

Obon is one of the most important religious holidays in Japan. Similar to All Saints’ Day, the three days of observance in mid-July and mid-August (depending on the region) is grounded in the belief that, the souls of the departed come back to Earth to visit their families. Well, they aren’t the only ones, as most Japanese people also travel back home for Obon to commemorate their ancestors. During this time, leaving Tokyo isn’t exactly empty but definitely less crowded than usual. There are also festivals featuring traditional dances, making it a great time to travel around the city.

July and August are also the time of Japan’s famous summer sales when scorching temperatures drive people to some of the country’s biggest, and most importantly, air-conditioned department stores. There, you can find exceptional bargains.

Finally, summer in Japan is synonymous with firework displays. Tokyo is of no stranger to such events, and kicks off with stunning festives like the Sumida River Fireworks Display. Enjoy the best that Japan’s summer has to offer.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are huge undertakings that require a lot of planning, strategy, and organizing. It’s not something you can just jump into without doing a few dry runs. These are what test events are for – a way of testing a city’s readiness for one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. And the Tokyo ones have already begun.

The Tokyo 2020 test events include 56 competitions held during previously scheduled domestic and international sport contests, as well as events created specifically for Olympic and Paralympic practices that will be held all around the capital and beyond. The very first test event, Sailing, already took place during the Sailing's World Cup Series Enoshima at the Enoshima Yacht Harbor in mid-September 2018. The last test event will take place around May 2020.

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has unveiled “READY STEADY TOKYO” as the official name and logo to be used for the test events by Tokyo 2020. The logo was inspired by traditional Japanese calligraphy and is meant to represent the dynamic strength, sweat, and dedication of athletes everywhere. The brand name translates as: “We are ready for Tokyo 2020. Let’s stay focused as we move forward to a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.” The new brand name and logo will be featured exclusively at the dedicated Olympic and Paralympic test events organised by Tokyo 2020. The Olympic Games will take place between 24 July – 9 August 2020, while the Paralympic Games will be held between 25 August – 6 September 2020.

https://tokyo2020.org/en/games/sport/testevents/
Web News: https://tokyo2020.org/en/news/notice/20190123-02.html

Just minutes away from the modern city of Shinjuku from the JR Chuo Train line, you can witness the historic and beautiful dancing celebration of Koenji’s famous Awa-odori. For two days each year passionate spectators come to cheer for over 10,000 dancers as they participate in this 400-year-old traditional dance from Tokushima. Don’t miss your chance this year to see it for yourself on the 24 and 25 of August.

The Awa-odori generates one of the most exciting atmospheres of any summer festival in Japan.
Koenji’s Awa-odori Dance Festival is an exhilarating event where a parade of over 10,000 participants enthusiastically showcase traditional dances in eight areas throughout the streets. As the endless stream of dancers loop around the area in a figure-eight pattern, the streets are filled with chanting and music. With over eight dance areas, the excitement never stops. There’s the men’s dance, where dancers display a deep bending motion, swooping up from low to the ground. Then there is the iconic women’s dance, where dancers raise their hands up in the air and swing them from side to side in unison with their steps. Both are simple dances, but the beauty of it is that anyone of any age can try and easily synchronize with the other participants. The only thing more famous than the dance is perhaps the brightly colored clothes worn by the performers. Equally mesmerizing are those dancing along on raised wooden sandals, the sea of pastel kimonos, and woven straw hats.

The Awa-odori of Koenji became famous after the local youth group organized the first event in 1957. Though it struggled at first to take off, it’s difficult now to imagine a time without the beloved dance filling the streets each summer. Of course, like any other festival in Japan, there are delicious food and games to play at any of the small booths. Everyone is welcome to come see the festivities.
You can also join “Tokyo Koenji Awa-odori plus+” where you can learn the dances and meet others interested in the festival. This special program is offered once a month.

http://www.koenji-awaodori.com/language/eng.html
Tokyo Koenji Awa-odori plus+ http://www.koenji-awaodori.com/stage/stage04.html

Contact: jimukyoku@koenji-awaodori.com

Fujita Kanko is the leading tourism company in the country with extensive properties all around Japan’s most iconic locations. Opening this August in Hamamatsucho is a hotel like no other with convenient access to Haneda Airport, Shinagawa Station’s Shinkansen platform, the legendary Tokyo Tower, and swanky Ginza Shopping District. Reservations are being taken now for the brand-new Tavinos.

One problem tourists face when traveling in Japan is the inevitable language barrier, but with Tavino’s sophisticated AI concierge, visitors will have no problem getting the information they need. Equipped with a massive 55 inch 4 Panel Display, the virtual assistant is ready to answer your questions regarding weather, transportation, and more in English, Chinese and Japanese. Features like Automatic check-in/out add to the convenience.

Tavinos makes a bold statement with its stylish design inspired by Japanese manga and pop-culture. Young millennials can create their own stories in Japan while relaxing between walls, floors, and ceilings lined with comic strip panels.

Nearby are some of Tokyo’s most incredible sights, like Zojo-ji Temple, with the brilliant Tokyo Tower in the backdrop; and Rainbow Bridge, which leads visitors across the bay to Odaiba. Besides planes and trains, Hamamatsucho also has great access to the ferries.

https://hoteltavinos.com/en/

Contact: Madoka Tanaka madoka-tanaka@fujita-kanko.co.jp

Traveling to Tokyo is a dream come true for many people. But that dream can easily turn into a nightmare if you have to drag a heavy backpack or a suitcase around with you all day. Fortunately, more storage options are becoming available in the capital everyday.

Train station lockers continue to remain the most popular option for tourists but it’s always a gamble. After carrying a heavy suitcase all the way to your destination, there’s nothing worse than discovering that all the lockers are already taken. That’s where “Locker Concierge” comes in. It’s a new online service offered by the Tokyo Metro and the Metro Commerce Corporation that was launched back in May and which allows you to check the status of station lockers and even reserve one using your smartphone or tablet. Locker Concierge is currently available at 13 major Tokyo train stations.

One of the easiest options is to store your luggage at the airport or use one of its many services that will deliver your belongings straight to your hotel. The other alternative is service desks. Though their number in Tokyo is still limited, companies like Sagawa Express will happily store your luggage for the day from anywhere between 500 and 800 JPY, depending on the location. You can also use the “Ecbo Cloak Service” app to store your luggage at guesthouses, cafes, or other convenient locations.

https://www.tokyometro.jp/news/2019/200781.html (Japanese)

Musashino-shi (City) is consistently voted as one of the best places to live within the greater Tokyo area. This delightful getaway, just a short ride from major entertainment centers like Shibuya and Shinjuku, offers all the excitement of the big city at a more comfortable pace. Plan a day trip full of enchanting nature, rich Japanese culture, exhilarating sports and more in Musashino-shi.

Kichijoji in Musashino–shi is just a short train ride from major city centers like Shibuya and Shinjuku, and still manages to compete for the attention of Tokyoites with its variety of fun activities all-year round. While its popularity nurtures growth and constant evolution, the area never loses touch with the calming nature and fascinating Japanese culture that permeates throughout the city. This is most obvious when taking a leisurely stroll through one of Tokyo’s most famous green spaces, Kichijoji’s Inokashira Park. You’ll soon forget just how close to the city you are, as towering buildings transform into swaying cherry blossom trees. Shaded paths wrapping around the Inokashira Pond lead visitors to breath-taking views of the incredible Benzaiten Shrine, adorable animals at the Inokashira Park Zoo, and entertaining street performances.

Musashino-shi is active in many ways, and its affinity for sports has it warming up for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. In celebration of the international event, Musashino–shi will become a Host Town for Romania in 2020 and hold various activities to promote sports and cultural exchange. These activities will be a continuation of the long, harmonious relationship that Musashino-shi has cultivated with Romania since 1992, when it supported the Brasov City symphony orchestra.

Not so far away from the Musashino-shi, stands the Ajinomoto Stadium (Tokyo Stadium) which will be one of the hosting ground to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. All year round, this stadium is not only the home ground for soccer games, but will also be hosting the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2019™. During the Rugby World Cup 2019™, direct shuttle buses will be available from Musashi-sakai Station (JR Chuo Line / Seibu Tamagawa Line) to the Ajinomoto Stadium.

The Food Education Fair is a great event where Tokyoites can learn about nutrition education and discover ways to choose safer and more reliable food.
Separately, in the private sector, companies are trying innovative approaches to help people become more informed about where their food comes from. Pasona Otemachi Bokujyo is a farm in central Tokyo that brings agricultural information to the doorsteps of Tokyoites by providing a space for them to learn more about food and dairy while offering firsthand experiences with many animals.

Please take note that these city-living animals are fed and kept indoors while receiving the utmost care to keep them healthy. As such visitors from China, Korea and Southeast Asia can only visit the farm a week after arrival in Japan. Advance reservation is required before visiting.

TOKYO GROWN https://tokyogrown.jp/en/
Pasona Otemachi Bokujyo https://www.pasonagroup.co.jp/otemachi_bokujo/ (Japanese)