Get your hopes, people—it looks like the rain will be taking a break this weekend in exchange for some sunny Tokyo weather. Take advantage by hanging out at these outdoor festivals:
OCEAN PEOPLES (Sat. July 11-Sun. July 12) – Yoyogi Park’s event square is hosting OCEAN PEOPLES—a festival for those who love the ocean and with its purposing lying in conservation awareness. You’ll find music, food, art and a market for the ultimate beach fest …minus the actual beach part.
Africa Festival (Sat. July 11-Sun. July 12) – Head to Hibiya Park for the Africa Festival to celebrate African culture and lifestyle through food, dance, music, workshops, art and performances. The festival aims to increase multicultural knowledge in Japan.
Enoshima Tenno Festival (Sun, July 12) – On Sunday, make your way to Enoshima for the Enoshima Tenno Festival—starting from 9:30 am, a mikoshi from Yasaka Shrine will be carried over a bridge, pseudo-baptized in the water, and then carried off again to meet the mikoshi from Koyuguri Shine. They’ll subsequently parade the streets together until 6 pm.
Mitama Matsuri – From Monday to Thursday next week, the spectacular Mitama Matsuri, a festival honouring the spirits of the dead, is on at the Yasukuni Shrine. There, 30,000 lanterns are strung together along the pathway leading to the main shrine.
Art Aquarium — It’s exactly what you think it is: aquariums as art installations. It gets better though, with live music and an accompanying light show. Originally introduced to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Nihonbashi bridge in 2011, it’s stuck around thanks to popular demand. It’s on from Jul 10 to Sep 23rd.
Ueno Summer Festival — This festival run from July 11 to August 9. It’s main parade is next weekend (July 18th), but until then (and afterwards too) different events and activities will be featured including: a paper lantern floating festival, an antiques market and an ice sculpture display.
Happy Weekend!
