Tokyo in July : Best Things to Do
What to Do in Tokyo in July
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Summer has finally arrived in Japan! July is a perfect season to enjoy summer events in Tokyo! If you are a lucky person travelling to Tokyo this July, check out our list of the latest travel info and the best things to do in Tokyo in July, including summer festivals, fireworks and nearby beaches! Let’s enjoy Japanese summer with our July To-Do list 🙂
1. Fireworks
Fireworks are the symbol of Japanese summer, and the most popular events during the season. Numbers of fireworks events are held across Japan from July to August, especially on weekends, and in Tokyo, almost fireworks festivals are held almost every weekends. Sumida Fireworks Festival is the biggest fireworks event which is held on the last weekend of July every year. The event features over 20,000 colourful fireworks above Sumida River, attracting nearly 1 million viewers.
For the best fireworks festivals in Tokyo in summer, check out the attached link below!
2. Summer Festivals (Natsu Matsuri)
Besides fireworks festivals, numbers of traditional summer festivals (Natsu Matsuri) are held across Japan in July and August, and some of events can be enjoyed in Tokyo.
Mitama Matsuri (靖国神社みたままつり) is one of the biggest summer festivals in Tokyo during summer, which is held at Yasukuni Shrine for 4 days from 13 to 16 July annually. The highlights of Mitama Matsuri is the 30,000 paper lanterns that are displayed at the approach to the main hall of the shrine. The Mikoshi (portable shrine) ceremony, Bon odori dance and numbers of vendors selling food and drinks are also featured at the event.
See the attached link below for more information about summer festivals in Tokyo in summer!
3. Tanabata (Star Festival)
7 July is the day of Tanabata (Star Festival), celebrating the meeting of the two lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair) separated by the milky way according to legend. Several special events of Tanabata is held around 7 July in/around Tokyo including Zojoji Temple, Hiratsuka City and Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea.
-Zojoji Temple
Map: http://bit.ly/2K1bsdB
Info: https://www.zojoji.or.jp/news/525.html
-Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
Map: http://bit.ly/2JvjQlR
Info: http://www.tanabata-hiratsuka.com/
-Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea
Map: http://bit.ly/2QfIk30
▶︎Book your tickets to Tokyo Disneyland and Sea!
4. Beer Garden
What can beat the ice cold beer in the hot summer?? Beer garden is the popular night-out spot in Tokyo which open during summer. Beer gardens are usually set at the rooftop or open-air terrace of the department stores, hotels and restaurants in Japan, offering delicious food and chilled beer. From salaryman’s favourite watering hole to trendy instagram-worthy BBQ garden, various kinds of beer gardens can be found in Tokyo today.
Related article: Best Beer Gardens in Tokyo
5. Dessert Buffets
Various summer dessert buffets are held in Tokyo every year. Each venue offers their original themed buffets with various seasonal ingredients such as matcha, tropical fruits, melon, ice cream, etc. Be indulged with the high-quality desserts with all-you-can-eat style!
Related article: Best Matcha Dessert Buffet in Tokyo
6. WANO AKARI × HYAKUDAN KAIDAN Illumination Festival
An indoor illumination event, WANO AKARI × HYAKUDAN KAIDAN is held at one of Tokyo’s most prestigious hotels, Hotel Gajoen Tokyo annually from July to September. The event features various traditional and regional Japanese art works and crafts collaborating with light effects.
Map: http://bit.ly/2NCFmDw
Access: 3 mins walk from JR Meguro Station
Related article: Japanese Illumination Art Festival at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
7. Ocean Peoples Tokyo
Yoyogi Park is one of the most popular parks in Tokyo which holds numbers of interesting events through the year. Ocean Peoples Tokyo is Japan’s biggest beach themed event held every July at Yoyogi Park. The 2-day free event features ocean themed events, the live concert by Japanese and international musicians, a market with over 80 stalls offering food, drinks and handmade crafts, etc.
Map: http://bit.ly/2t6THzB
Info: https://oceanpeoples.com/
8. Beaches
The beach season officially starts in early-mid July in Kanto Region, and there are several great beaches you can access from Tokyo within 1–2 hours such as Shonan area (Kanagawa Prefecture), Izu Peninsula (Shizuoka Prefecture) and Boso Peninsula (Chiba Prefecture). The popular beaches are lined with temporary beach houses, cafes and bars offering visitors rental facilities, food and drinks with a lively atmosphere. During summer lifeguards are present at most of beaches and family with kids can safely enjoy.
See the link below for more information about the best beaches near Tokyo!
9. Rental Yukata
If you are travelling in Japan during summer, you should definitely take an opportunity to try on traditional Japanese dress for summer, Yukata. Yukata is like a summer version of Kimono, and it’s much lighter and easier to put on. Yukata is available with hundreds of thousands of patterns, and also with wide price range depending on materials and designs. Yukata can be rented for a day at many rental Kimono stores in Tokyo during summer, and it’s a popular outfit for attending summer festivals or fireworks events.
For the information about renting Yukata/Kimono in Tokyo, please check out the link below!
10. Cold Desserts
Let’s beat the summer heat with cool and delicious treats in Tokyo! Summer in Tokyo is extremely hot, and stopping by for cold desserts are the best way to get away. Shaved ice (Kakigori n Japanese), ice cream and bubble tea are the most trending summer desserts in Tokyo nowadays, and numbers of cafes offering delicious, creative and photo-worthy desserts and drinks.
See the attaches links below introducing the best desserts in Tokyo for summer!
Shaved Ice: 10 Best Kakigori in Tokyo
Ice Cream: 7 Best Ice Cream Shops in Tokyo
Bubble Tea: 5 Best Bubble Tea Shops in Tokyo
▼Going to Tokyo in August??▼
Did you enjoy the list?? Which the special events and tourist attractions in July do you anticipate most?? For more information about travelling in Japan in summer, here are some more articles for you to check out 😉
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