Top Ten Events In Tokyo
September 11, 2009
Hana Matsuri (The Birth of Buddha)
April 8
Sometimes called the flower festival, people pour hyrdranger leaf tea over temple statues of Buddha as an offering, in the Sensoji Temple and all over the city.
Golden Week
Late April-early May
A major holiday including a number of national holidays. Many businesses closes and locals take time off.
Cherry Blossom Viewing
April
Families get together under the blossoms and picnic in parks around the city.
Sanja Matsuri (Kanda Festival)
Third weekend in May
Tokyo’s largest and most celebrated festival. Features big parades of portable shrines carried by people in traditional costume.
Sanno Matsuri (Sanno Festival)
Mid-June even number years only
Features a street festival and parades
Sumida Hanabi (Sumida Fireworks Festival)
Late July or early August
Tokyo’s biggest fireworks display near the Sumida River, Asakusa’s Sumida Park
Tokyo International Film Festival
October
The annual festival is held at a number of venues throughout Tokyo.
Tokyo Motor Show
Late October-early November
Passenger cars and motorcycles are showcased on odd-numbered years, commercial vehicles on even years. Makuhari Messe, Chiba.
Omisoka (New Year’s Eve)
Buddhist temple bells ring 108 times and people gather at temples and shrines to bring in the New Year
