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Tokyo Events This Week: Kōenji Awa Odori, Sancha Latin Festival, and Azabu Jūban Festival

What's a Cheapo to do this week?

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Tokyo Cheapo
August 17, 2025

Tokyo events for Monday, August 18, to Sunday, August 24, 2025.

This week has some of the last (and biggest) traditional summer festivals of 2025, including Kōenji’s Awa Odori, Roppongi Hills Bon Dance, Azabu Jūban Festival, and the Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi.

The 39th Sancha Latin Festival has two days of dancing, food, and fun, and if you still haven’t had your summer fireworks fix, there’s plenty of those left to see at the Enoshima and Shōnan Hiratsuka fireworks festivals.

Aug 19th

Aug 22nd

For one summer night, the banks of the Sagami River light up with booms, crackles, and hisses. Expect a parade of glittering star mines — this is pyrotechnic artistry at its finest.

Aug 23rd

Held every summer since 1972, this year the Tokyo Otsuka Awa Odori will celebrate its 51st event. Over 1,000 performers dance through Minami-Otsuka Street, with Shinshi-ren, a group of dancers known for their powerful dance style, performing the opening ceremony.

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Aug 22nd - 23rd

At the Chuo Ward Bon Dance, local groups come together to put on a rehearsed and masterful performance. You’ll have a chance to see the traditional Bon dance, along with dancers clad in flowing robes and one of the largest festival towers (yagura) around.

Aug 23rd - 24th

Held in Sangenjaya (often called Sancha or Sanja for short), this two-day celebration features live performances, amazing costumes, and a great atmosphere.

Aug 22nd - 24th

The sleek concrete of the Roppongi Hills Arena will be taken over by kimono-clad Bon dancers for the weekend. This festival boasts a unique dance — the Roppongi Ondo — roughly translated as the Roppongi Workman’s Dance.

Aug 23rd - 24th

No, this festival isn’t celebrating the bendy, spiritual exercise of Yoga, but the neighborhood in Setagaya. This local, student-led festival will once again celebrate the community of Yōga at Yōga Kusunoki Park.

Aug 23rd - 24th

Taking place outdoors on the closed-off streets of Kōenji, this summer festival knows how to put on a traditional dance party. The Kōenji Awa Odori Festival fills two days with shedloads of dancing.

Aug 23rd - 24th

Dance teams descend on the Harajuku/Omotesando area in late August. The two days of the festival see a huge dance contest between these teams taking over the area.

Aug 23rd - 24th

Officially, this is the Azabu Jūban Nōryō Festival. Although “nōryō” means “cooling evening”, this festival is held during the heat of the last weekend of August in the fashionable Azabu-Jūban neighborhood, and it’s all about the food.

Aug 23rd - 24th

The Akishima Citizen Whale Festival takes place in Showa Park (athletics stadium) and includes fireworks and a large whale parade. Highlights include a giant whale being pushed through the streets and a fireworks display, which takes place on the Saturday night.

Aug 15th - 28th

Tokyo Artisan Exhibition brings together some of Tokyo’s finest young traditional craftspeople. Stalls featuring handmade goods will also be available throughout the event, so you can take some of your favorite pieces home with you.