Events not to miss when you’re in Tokyo in May 2023!

Events not to miss when you’re in Tokyo in May 2023!

One of the best times to visit Japan is in May, when the weather is still pleasant, enjoyable, and not as humid as in June. To help you plan your trip to Tokyo, we have rounded up the best festivals and events you’ll find in Tokyo and its surrounding. So, let’s check out the events not to miss when you’re in Tokyo in May 2023!

Index

• 1. Golden Week
• 2. Kanda Festival (神田祭)
• 3. Sanja Festival
• 4. Zushi Beach Fireworks Festival

1. Golden Week

Golden Week, a string of holidays in late April to early May, is a welcome respite for Tokyo’s frazzled workforce, a cash cow for the travel and transport industries, and a bane (in terms of price, traffic, and crowd density at tourist areas) to travelers — all at the same time.

If you’re in Tokyo for Golden Week, it might be better to just stay where you are and check out the many events that will be held during this time (and read our guide to Golden Week while you’re at it!).

Golden Week is a set of holidays in late April to early May, and it’s a favorite holiday in Japan, which is also a cash cow for the travel and transport industries, as abundant amounts of tourists travel at the same time.

If you’re in Tokyo for Golden Week, make sure to check out the events that will be held during this time, and we’ve come up with a list to look at :

• Odaiba Oktoberfest (April 28 – May 7)
• Haisai Okinawa Festa in Kawasaki (May 3 – May 7)
• Niku Fes (Meat Festival) in Odaiba (April 29 – May 8)
• Craft Gyoza Fes in Komazawa Olympic Park (April 28 – May 7)
• Koinobori at Tokyo Tower (March 24 – May 7)

Back To Index

2. Kanda Festival (神田祭)

Kanda Festival is one of Tokyo’s three major Shinto festivals, and it is held only during odd-numbered years, alternating with the Sanno Festival that is held only during even-numbered years. The festival lasts from May 11 to May 17, but the main event takes place on the weekend of May 13 and 14.

The festival starts at Kanda Myōjin, one of the most famous shrines in Tokyo, on a Saturday morning, with a grand procession of over 200 portable shrines (mikoshi) and people in traditional clothing, that goes around the area of Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Otemachi. The parade on Sunday features mikoshi taken from different neighborhoods and communities.

Details

Dates

• May 11, 2023 – May 17, 2023

Admissions

• free

Location

• Kanda Myōjin Shrine

Google MAP

Back To Index

3. Sanja Festival

Sanja Festival is a festival held in Asakusa Temple, and it is also known as one of Tokyo’s major festivals. The festival features three main mikoshi in honor of the three founders of Asakusa’s popular temple, Sensōji.

The mikoshi depart from Sensōji early in the morning and are carried around the town, with performers and geisha participating. In addition to that, a bunch of Yakuza members join this energetic festival showing off their intricate tattoos.

Once the mikoshi are carried back to Sensōji, there will be taiko performances and traditional dances performed by miko (shrine maidens).

Details

Dates

• May 19, 2023 – May 21, 2023

Admissions

• free

Location

• Asakusa Shrine

Google MAP

Back To Index

4. Zushi Beach Fireworks Festival

Want to go to a fireworks festival but cannot stay in Japan until the summer? How about visiting Zushi for its amazing fireworks festival?

Zushi Beach Fireworks Festival is one of the earliest fireworks festivals in Japan, and it features over seven thousand fireworks blasting off into the sky for 45 minutes from 19:30 until the festival ends. Known for its impressive finale, five thousand amongst those fireworks will go off in the last 15 minutes of the festival.

Details

Dates

• May 26, 2023

Admissions

• free

Location

• Zushi Beach

Google MAP

Read more articles

• See the seasonal flowers at Nabana no Sato, a large-scale floral park in Mie
• What you need to know about Japan Rail Pass
• Twelve best things to do in Kansai Region

 

Back To Top