Fukagawa Festival

Fukagawa Festival is one of the three biggest festivals in Tokyo, dating back to 1643 during the early Edo period. For over 380 years, it has maintained a reputation as an energetic festival, earning the nickname "Water-Splashing Festival" (Mizukake Matsuri).Spectators line the streets to splash water on the bearers of more than 50 large neighborhood portable shrines as they parade along an 8-kilometer route.A smaller version of the festival is held every year, but the main Hon-matsuri, meaning "main festival," takes place only once every three years. This year happens to be the Hon-matsuri, so be sure not to miss it, especially the peak event on Sunday, August 16, when all the mikoshi are brought out for a large procession.

Fukagawa Festival
Location: Tomioka Hachimangū Shrine
Dates: Aug 12 – Aug 16 2026

江戸村のとくぞう (Edomura no Tokuzo), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Kanda Shrine Anime Bon Odori Dance

The Kanda Myojin Noryo Festival, also known as the Anime Song Bon Odori, is held at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo and blends ancient traditions with modern pop culture. Located next to Akihabara, the festival adds a fun contemporary twist to the traditional Bon Odori dance, featuring classic and current anime songs, Vocaloid tracks, and video game music.The guide dancers make it easy for anyone to join in, even if it's their first time. And of course, there are plenty of food and drink stalls, making it a great way to experience a Japanese summer festival atmosphere.

Kanda Shrine Anime Bon Odori Dance
Locatin: Kanda Myojin Shrine
Date: Aug 7 – Aug 9, 2026
Friday 4:30pm – 8:30pm
Saturday 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Sunday 5:30pm – 8:30pm

teien_off, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Asakusa Tōrō Nagashi Lantern Floating

Asakusa Tōrō Nagashi Lantern Floating is one of Tokyo's most iconic summer traditions. Lantern floating has long been associated with Obon, a traditional Japanese holiday dedicated to honoring ancestral spirits. However, the Sumida River event has an additional historical significance. It began in 1946 as a memorial for those who lost their lives during the Tokyo air raids and the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The event later disappeared for nearly 40 years before returning due to public demand.Unlike many other lantern-floating ceremonies, this event is open to everyone. Participants can write memorial messages, wishes, or the names of loved ones on paper lanterns before setting them afloat on the river.The event takes place on August 15, 2026. Watching is free, while lantern kits are available for ¥1,700-¥2,000. It is held along the Sumida River near Sensō-ji Temple.

Asakusa Tōrō Nagashi Lantern Floating
Location: Sumida Park
Date: Aug 15 2026
Ceremony and first lantern release: 18:30
Lantern floating: 18:45-20:15

Nagatoro Funadama Boat Lantern Festival

The Nagatoro Funadama Boat Lantern Festival, held in Saitama Prefecture, is one of the region's most scenic summer traditions. Taking place along the Arakawa River, it offers a completely different atmosphere from the urban energy of nearby Tokyo.The word Funadama means "boat spirit." Originally, the festival was a ritual in which traditional riverboat captains and operators prayed for safe passage and protection from accidents.As evening falls, boats decorated with traditional paper lanterns illuminate the river, while countless lanterns carrying individual prayers and memorial messages are set afloat, creating a trail of light across the dark water.When night descends on the gorge, around 3,000 fireworks are launched from the opposite riverbank. The sound echoes off the surrounding rock cliffs, creating a dramatic visual and auditory experience.

Nagatoro Funadama Boat Lantern Festival
Location: Nagatoro Rock Formations area
(approximately 5 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Railway)
Date: Aug 15 202617:10 Lantern boat procession
18:00 Festival (Water Safety Exorcism Ceremony)
18:20 Lantern floating
19:15 Fireworks display
20:45 Fireworks display ends

Saitama Prefecture Products & Tourism AssociationReproduction and reprint are prohibited

Hachioji Festival

The Hachioji Festival is one of the grandest summer celebrations in the Kanto region. This three-day festival takes place in front of Hachioji Station, transforming the area into a lively celebration lined with more than 200 food stalls.The main attraction is a collection of 19 elaborately carved wooden floats (dashi), some of which date back to the Edo period. When two floats cross paths at an intersection, they engage in "Buttsuke", a musical showdown. The performers aboard each float face off with traditional flutes and taiko drums, trying to outplay and outlast one another while the crowd cheers them on.On the final day, the grand procession of the Sengan portable shrine sees around 16,000 bearers carrying a massive three-ton mikoshi through the streets in an impressive display of strength and community spirit.Deeply rooted in the city's heritage, the festival also features local folk dances, lion dances, and powerful taiko drum performances, creating a spectacular summer event just a short train ride from Tokyo.

Hachiōji Festival
Locatin: Hachioji Station
Date: Aug 7-9 2026 12:00-21:00

AshleyBrownPix, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

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