If you only do one thing this weekend, make sure it’s watching the 600m-long parade at the Sanno Matsuri. Other festival highlights include the Short Shorts Film Festival, a hydrangea festival, the Okinawa Fest, and a bit of salsa in the street. As always, click on the header of each event for more details.
Sanno Matsuri 2018
Sanno Matsuri, which is one of the three big festivals of Tokyo, takes place in mid-June every two years and has a history dating back to Edo period. It boasts a 600m long procession of more than 300 people. The parade starts at Hie Shrine at around 8am in the morning and slowly makes its way through central Tokyo, passing Tokyo Station, Ginza, Yasukuni Shrine and the Diet Building. Besides the elaborate costumes, floats, drummers and horses, the highlight of this parade are several mikoshi (portable shrines) which are carried by the participants until their return to Hie Shrine in the evening.
Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2018
One of the largest film festivals in Asia returns with hundreds of free screenings across the city throughout the month of June. The long-running festival features short films of all genres from all over the world, including drama, documentary, animation, horror, experimental, fashion films and music videos. The 2018 edition follows the theme “Cinema Smart – Discover Your Life Through Imagination” and has chosen around 250 films to make up its impressive and diverse selection.
Bunkyo Ajisai Matsuri (Hydrangea Festival)
As one of the “Bunkyo Five Major Flower Festivals,” Bunkyo Ajisai Matsuri is a must-visit not just for flower lovers. Between early and mid-June, watch as 3,000 hydrangea plants are reaching their full bloom, captivating visitors with a sea of purple and blue. Besides the flowers, there will also be music concerts, food stalls and more.
Okinawa Festival 2018
Okinawa is taking over Yoyogi Park once again for a big celebration of its unique history and culture. With mouthwatering foods and drinks as well as captivating performances by Okinawan dancers and musicians, get ready to feel transported to Japan’s subtropical south – beach vibes included.
Salsa Street Festival 2018
Join hundreds of salsa enthusiasts, from beginners to pros, and dance to the rhythm until you can no more – or, grab a cocktail and enjoy watching the energetic crowd. With Latin America-themed food stalls and booths selling accessories and other handicraft, you’ll be sure to feel the summer vibes.
Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic: The Sound of Distant Tongues
Award-winning artist Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic is set to debut his latest solo-show “The Sound of Distant Tongues” at the interdisciplinary space Edge Of. Mestrovic is famed for his calligraphic paintings and multi-media works, and during the show will be creating a live, multi-media performance piece for Carnegie Hall Notables Japan alongside world-famous cellist Hitomi Niikura.
Tokyo Teshigoto: Exhibition and Pop-up Shop
The Tokyo Teshigoto project was launched to create new but traditional products by local designers and craftsmen. The aim is to create items with a distinctly Tokyo feel, and to help develop new markets for them both in Japan and overseas. Ten newly developed products from this project were recently unveiled and will be on display and available for purchase at the Mitsukoshi Main Building (5th floor) in Nihonbashi during this pop-up event.
Catastrophe and the Power of Art
In this new major exhibition at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi, catastrophe and crisis as explored by artists around the world stand at the center of discussion. As the world has been plagued by a string of major natural and man-made catastrophes in the recent decades, this show looks at the position of artists in the aftermath of disasters and explores their potential role as educators and commentators who have the power to convey their own unique perspective in this world’s deeply divided media landscape.
International Tokyo Toy Show
Organized by the Japan Toy Association, this giant event showcases some of the latest trends and innovations in toys from around the world and is known as the largest toy exhibition in Japan. In addition to demonstrations and deals, there will be plenty of entertainment for kids of all ages with hands-on events and stage appearances from popular characters. The “kid’s life” zone looks beyond toys and focuses on sports, clothes and culture for the next generation.
The Wind Down by Cartel Bikes
This year Cartel Bikes has had the pleasure of collaborating with two street fashion brands, Bal Original and Hombre Nino, to create new bike designs. To celebrate the collab, Cartel Bikes is holding a thank you party called The Wind Down. Held in Nakameguro on Berry’s rooftop terrace, the theme of the party is “relaxation.” There’ll be a soundtrack to match with special guest DJs Magara, Yoppi, Eda, Bikini and Frankie $. Look forward to a specially curated drinks menu and an open BBQ grill.
