The best things to do in Tokyo this weekend

Celebrated since the early 17th century and recognised as one of the three great festivals of Edo (along with the Kanda and Fukagawa festivals), the Sanno Matsuri marks the start of Tokyo's summer festival season.

The highlight of the 10-day festival is the grand parade, which only happens biannually and will not run this year. However, a series of smaller-scale events will still take place at the festival’s main site, Hie Shrine. Events include the chigo-gyoretsu parade (Sunday June 8 at 12noon and 2.30pm), where children dress up in orange, green and purple to wish for health and growth. Another highlight is the Sanno Kasho Festival on June 16 at 1pm – a Heian period ritual where wagashi (Japanese sweets) artisans present their creations to the gods, praying for the protection against epidemics. Check out the schedule (in Japanese only) for all the details.

Coinciding with the festivities at Hie Shrine, the public square at Sanno Park Tower is hosting the Sanno Ondo bon odori festival. Happening daily at 6.30pm from Friday June 13 to Sunday June 15, the festival lets you bask in the pleasant summer evening breeze, with a communal dance fiesta accompanied by the rhythmic beats of taiko drums. There will also be food stalls galore, making this a true summertime matsuri experience.

The Oedo Antique Market, the largest and oldest outdoor market of its kind in Japan, is great for picking up some cool art, unique handicrafts or vintage decorative items. Keep an eye out for real Edo-era (1603-1867) treasures hidden among the heaps of merchandise, which range from ceramics and clothing to ukiyo-e prints. Currently, it's being held on the first and third Sunday of the month at the Tokyo International Forum. You can check the exact market dates updated on the website.

Keep in mind that the market operates weather permitting.

Studio Ghibli’s immersive sculpture exhibition is returning to Tokyo to captivate a new generation of fans. Featuring 3D recreations of iconic scenes from hit animated films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle and Porco Rosso, the show is a new and improved version of Studio Ghibli’s first ever art exhibition, held in Tokyo back in 2003. 

Running from May 27 to September 23 at Warehouse Terrada’s B&C and E halls in Tennozu, the exhibition will feature mock-ups of scenes such as Chihiro’s first crossing over the bridge into the bathhouse in Spirited Away, and the thrilling scene from Ponyo where the titular character rides the waves to catch up to Sosuke in the storm. The main highlight, however, is arguably the true-to-size mock up of Porco’s Savoia S-21 seaplane from Porco Rosso.

When hunger strikes, head over to T-Lotus M, a waterfront event space adjacent to the exhibition venue, for some ham ramen inspired by a similar dish in Ponyo. Tickets can be purchased in combination with the Ghibli Museum or in conjunction with hotel accommodation plans.

For more details and ticketing information, check the event website. (Japanese only)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building in Shinjuku serves as the backdrop for a jaw-dropping and record-breaking projection mapping show. Covering an area of a whopping 13,905sqm, the after-dark spectacle has been certified by Guinness World Records as the largest permanent display of its kind in the world.

The nightly showcase features a range of visual wonders created by a mix of local and international artists. Some shows are inspired by Tokyo’s rich history, while others draw on themes like the lunar cycle. 

From April 26, ‘Tokyo Gundam in the Future’, a brand new projection mapping show featuring a Gundam with a newly reimagined Mobile Suit colour scheme, will begin on weekends and holidays every hour from 7pm (7.30pm from May 10). Be sure to check the event website for more details.

Looking for a weekend getaway to see hydrangeas in nature without leaving Tokyo proper? Check out the hydrangea festival at Wonderful Nature Village next to Tokyo Summerland, taking place from June 7 to July 6. Here you’ll find a sea of white hydrangeas blooming on the slopes of a hill. This section of the sprawling park alone features over 15,000 hydrangeas and they are expected to hit peak bloom around late June.

Aside from the white Anabelle hydrangea, the park also cultivates beautiful blue hydrangeas Kurohime and Ezohoshino that are indigenous to Japan. These varieties will likely reach peak bloom between mid- and late June.

While you’re there for these summer blooms, why not beat the heat with a refreshing splash at the nearby Tokyo Summerland? This super popular water park on the fringes of Tokyo boasts a large indoor pool for all weather conditions as well as a 650m-long outdoor pool with flowing water. (Note: advance tickets are required for Tokyo Summerland.)

To get there, take the Keio line from Shinjuku to Keio Hachioji Station. From there, hop on a local bus and you'll reach Wonderful Nature Village in about 35 minutes. For more details, including other bus connections from Keio Hachioji and Akigawa stations, see the venue website (in Japanese only).

The hydrangea festival takes place daily from 9am to 5pm.

Go on a floral outing this summer to enjoy the sight of over 20,000 hydrangeas at the 25th annual Hakkeijima Hydrangea Festival. Held for roughly three weeks from June 7 to June 29, this free event lets you explore the island of Hakkeijima (about 30 minutes by train from Yokohama) and its eight hydrangea spots.

Highlights include the indigenous Hakkei-blue hydrangea, a variety that was created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the island’s Hakkeijima Sea Paradise theme park. Collect stamps from at least five of the eight hydrangea spots, and you’ll receive a 50 percent discount off a ride on the Paradise Cruise as well as discounts at participating restaurants and shops within the island of Hakkeijima.  

Whenever you need to rest your feet and recharge, restaurants across the island are serving special flower-themed drinks and desserts. The most eye-catching of them all is the hydrangea lemon tea (¥520) sold at Cable Car Coffee.

Stamp rally is held daily from 10am-4pm

Kyu Furukawa Gardens in Tokyo’s Kita Ward is known for its colourful roses that start to bloom in May, and this festival is your best chance to enjoy them all. The Western-style garden on the upper grounds is adorned with 200 roses of 100 different varieties. In addition to your vivid red and pink blossoms, you’ll get to see pastel-coloured ones including Kinda Blue, Cinderella, Manyo and New Dawn roses, too.

There will also be musical performances held on the lawn on May 25 from 12noon and at 3pm.  There will also be stalls in the garden selling goods with rose motifs from 10am to 4pm.

Check the garden's Twitter account for the most up-to-date flowering status.

Enjoy a late night stroll under an artificial Milky Way at Tokyo Tower’s main deck. As an alternative experience for astronomy enthusiasts, Tokyo Tower has recreated the Milky Way using 29,000 LED lights, so you can gaze up at the (artificial) stars in the middle of the city.

Every 15 minutes, the blue LED lights that represent the starry sky turn pink and gold, while the Milky Way changes from white to a rainbow of seven colours. This special effect makes the Tokyo skyline look even more mesmerising, as if our beloved city is under a magical starry night.

The event takes place from 9.00am until 11pm.

No trip to Tokyo or Japan is complete without a shopping spree at the iconic Don Quijote. But if browsing the aisles isn’t enough to satisfy your Donki cravings, you’ll want to book a table for this playful Don Quijote-themed afternoon tea at Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya.

Available at the hotel’s 11th-floor all-day dining restaurant, Gallery 11, this fun afternoon tea spread is inspired by Don Quijote’s beloved mascots, Donpen and Donko, with an array of colourful sweets and fun surprises. 

Desserts include unique creations like the passion fruit chocolate and pink pepper marshmallow, honeycomb red velvet cupcake and candy apple filled with a rich caramel – all served on a mini skateboard. You can also enjoy a tastebud-tingling cake made with popping candy featuring images of Donpen and Donko, alongside a savoury herb roast chicken served with lemon and caper sauce.

Time to don those wizardly robes. From April 18 to September 8, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo are bringing the set of 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' to life to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary. The tour will feature recreations of props, costumes and locations from the film, such as the Great Hall, the Prefects' Bathroom and the Goblet of Fire itself. Themed food and merch will be available for purchase.

Times and ticket prices vary, so be sure to check their website for availability, as tickets must be purchased in advance and currently are only available until June 30.

After celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2024, the legendary kaiju takes center stage at the Mori Arts Center Gallery with ‘Godzilla: The Art’, an exhibition highlighting the still-evolving legacy of the world’s most famous monster. Running from April 26 to June 29, this fifth installment in the acclaimed ‘Godzilla: The Art’ series invites visitors to experience the beast through a new artistic lens.

Since its cinematic debut in 1954, Godzilla has embodied themes of destruction, rebirth, and the ever-evolving relationship between humanity and nature. As a true international icon, the King of the Monsters continues to inspire wonder and dread in fans of all generations in search of symbolism and entertainment alike. 

Curated under the direction of renowned anatomist Takeshi Yoro, the exhibition breaks free from the confines of cinema to explore Godzilla as an artistic and cultural phenomenon. Featuring works by 15 contemporary artists, it showcases sculptures, paintings and multimedia pieces that reinterpret the essence and impact of Godzilla.

This spring and summer, Japan’s ancient aesthetic heritage meets the cutting edge of animation. On at the Tokyo National Museum from March 25 to August 3, ‘Immersive Theater on Neo-Japonism: From Ancient Art to Anime’ is an ambitious 24-minute visual experience that journeys through 10,000 years of Japanese creativity.

Projected across four massive walls fitted with towering 7-metre screens, the ultra-HD installation explores the evolution of Japanese artistic expression from the clay figures of the prehistoric Jomon period to the ink paintings of the Edo period (1603–1867), culminating in the vibrant dynamism of contemporary anime. Brought to life by the innovative minds at digital art outfits Panoramatiks and Cekai, the experience highlights how Japan’s animist worldview and refined sense of space continue to influence global pop culture.

The exhibition draws poignant connections between ancient scrolls, classical motifs, and works by anime legends like Osamu Tezuka, Isao Takahata and Mamoru Hosoda, serving up a distinctive blend of history, art and imagination.

Step into the masterful world of Japan’s most celebrated woodblock print artist this spring at ‘Hokusai: Another Story’, held at Shibuya’s Tokyu Plaza. Utilising the latest in high-definition imaging, spatial audio and Sony’s state-of-the-art sensory technology, the exhibition promises to bring Hokusai’s iconic works to life.

The main highlight of the exhibition is the vivid scenery of Hokusai's ‘Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji’, with ultra-high-definition visuals and Sony's Crystal LED displays recreating the intricate details of the work. Visualise, hear and feel the sensation of jumping on puddles or walking on dry sand, thanks in part to haptic floor technology developed by Sony PCL. Then, follow a path illuminated by bamboo lights to reach a room where you can browse master replicas of iconic ukiyo-e prints. Each replica is crafted using DTIP (3D Texture Image Processing) technology that scans every fibre of the traditional washi-paper originals to preserve the works digitally. This multisensory experience allows visitors to not only see, but truly feel, the world Hokusai depicted.

Tickets must be purchased in advance through the event website.

Since the release of Sally the Witch back in 1966, the ‘magical girl’ (maho shojo) has become one of the most popular types of Japanese anime. Featuring different variations of heroines wielding magic powers and often leading double lives, the genre has come a long way over its 60-year history – enough so that the Yokohama Doll Museum is dedicating an entire exhibition to exploring its imagery and social impact.

Recapping the evolution of the ‘magical girl’ over the decades, the show zooms in on aspects such as magic, transformation and heroism while displaying around 100 dolls, toys and other items related to various girls’ anime series. You’ll also be able to admire art such as original illustrations by manga artist Akemi Takada, whose characters have appeared in series including Creamy Mami and Urusei Yatsura.

On your way out, make sure to stop by the gift shop to browse a selection of exclusive Doll Museum and Creamy Mami merchandise.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- marks a bold new chapter in the world-conquering franchise. As the first-ever collaboration between two titans of Japanese animation – Evangelion creators Studio Khara and Gundam’s Sunrise – this highly anticipated production fuses two distinct creative legacies into a dynamic reimagining of the mecha genre.

To celebrate this ground-breaking project, Anime Tokyo Station is hosting an exclusive exhibition from May 24 to August 11. Visitors will be treated to a curated collection of scene stills from the film version, immersive life-size displays recreating pivotal moments, and production materials such as original scripts. Standees of key characters and mobile suits bring the universe to life, while an AR photo zone invites fans to pose alongside motifs from the series for an interactive experience.

With free admission and content tailored for both long-time fans and newcomers, the show offers the perfect opportunity to step into the world of giant robots.