Akihabara in August 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
August in Tokyo is the hottest season of the year. While temperatures are high and humid, there are many summer festivals and outdoor events that create a lively atmosphere throughout the city.
Akihabara is known for its streets lined with specialty electronics stores, but it's also a sacred ground for pop culture including anime, games, manga, and maid cafes. During August 2025, Akihabara will host numerous events where you can experience Japanese culture, such as shrine summer festivals and fireworks displays.
In this article, we'll introduce the highlights, basic information, schedules, and access to venues for Akihabara events in August 2025.
The Most Recommended Akihabara Event August 2025: Kanda Shrine Anime Bon Odori Dance
The most recommended event in Akihabara in August is the Kanda Shrine Anime Bon Odori Dance. Bon Odori is a traditional dance performed during the summer in Japan to honor ancestral spirits, where people dance in a circle.
At the Kanda Shrine Anime Bon Odori Dance, you can experience Bon Odori dancing to anime songs. The dance moves can be easily learned by imitating others around you, so anyone can participate with confidence.
Kanda Shrine's Special Feature: "Anime Song Bon Odori"
Source:Official website
The Anime Song Bon Odori is a unique Akihabara-style Bon Odori where participants dance to anime songs.
Typically, Bon Odori is performed to traditional music. Therefore, dancing to various anime songs both old and new makes the Anime Song Bon Odori a unique event that can't be experienced elsewhere.
The Anime Song Bon Odori includes instructional sessions led by guide dancers, making it accessible even for first-timers. If you want to experience traditional Japanese culture while enjoying pop culture, don't miss this Akihabara event August 2025.
Kanda Shrine Bon Odori's Traditional "Kanda Shrine Ondo"
Source:Official website
Kanda Shrine Ondo is a traditional Bon Odori song specially created for the Kanda Shrine Bon Odori festival. While crafted by traditional Japanese dancers, its choreography is designed to be accessible for everyone to dance easily.
The Kanda Shrine Ondo plays throughout all three days of the Kanda Shrine Bon Odori, allowing visitors to experience it whenever they attend. First-time participants can check the dance tutorial video published on YouTube in advance to enjoy participating more fully.
Delicious Food Stalls from All Over Japan
At the Kanda Shrine Anime Bon Odori Dance, you can also enjoy popular food stalls gathered from all across Japan. Various shops popular at regional food festivals set up at this celebration. When I visited, I enjoyed a wide range of menu items from classic festival street food to sweet treats.
The Kanda Shrine Anime Bon Odori Dance also offers beers and sake from various regions of Japan. While the festival is known for its Bon dance, the cuisine is also exceptional, so be sure to indulge in the food when participating in the festival.
Two Cultural Events to Enjoy in Akihabara in August 2025
AKIBA Fest
Source:PR TIMES
AKIBA Fest is a major annual event where you can experience Akihabara culture all at once. You can enjoy performances by talents, middle and high school students, maid café staff, and theater dancers. When I visited, I was particularly overwhelmed by the taiko drum performance by children in front of Kanda Shrine.
For a quintessential Akihabara experience, I recommend visiting the pop-up maid cafés that are an iconic part of Akihabara. You can have the experience of maids creating original drinks for you, making it perfect for those who want to casually experience maid café culture.
AKIBA Fest is recommended not only for those interested in pop culture such as anime and cosplay but also for those who want to casually experience Japanese culture.
<Information>
Dates: August 30-31, 2024 (2024 information)
Access: 3-minute walk from JR/Tsukuba Express "Akihabara Station" or Tokyo Metro Ginza Line "Suehirocho Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://udx.jp/akibafes2024/
"August 19 Motorcycle Day" Event
Source:MOTO Info
The "August 19 Motorcycle Day" event is an annual occasion where you can see and learn about Japanese motorcycles. This popular event celebrated its 16th year in 2024, attracting motorcycle enthusiasts, locals, and tourists alike.
The event features special exhibitions of the latest models by Japan's four major domestic manufacturers, race machines, new electric motorcycles, and police motorcycles. Visitors can also enjoy talk shows by guests and photo opportunities. It's an event where motorcycle enthusiasts can enjoy special experiences that are not usually available.
If you're a vehicle enthusiast or interested in Japanese motorcycles, this is an especially enjoyable event, so please consider attending if you're curious.
<Information>
Date: August 19, 2024 (2024 information)
Access: 3-minute walk from the Electric Town North Exit of JR "Akihabara Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://bikeday.jama.or.jp/
Pop Culture Mecca Akihabara is Best Enjoyed with a Local Guide for Maximum Efficiency
To fully experience Akihabara's pop culture scene during the August 2025 Akihabara Event, joining a tour with a knowledgeable local guide is highly recommended. The "Akihabara Anime & Game Adventure Tour" includes visits to specialized game stores and arcades, followed by a trip to a maid café.
At the specialized game stores, guides will assist with finding and purchasing products, which eliminates any language concerns. Additionally, at the popular maid cafés, you can enjoy the unique experience of having a "magic spell" cast on you by the maids.
Some spots in Akihabara can be intimidating for tourists to enter alone, but with a guide, you can enjoy them like a local. This tour is perfect for those interested in anime, games, and maid cafés.
Meeting point: In front of Ticket Office right outside of Electric Town Gate of JR Akihabara station
Tour area: Around Akihabara station
Start time: 14:00
Exceptional Access! Must-See August 2025 Akihabara Event Within 30 Minutes from Akihabara
Fukagawa Festival
Source:Koto City
The Fukagawa Festival is the most important annual festival held at Tomioka Hachiman shrine. During the festival, over 50 portable shrines called "Mikoshi" are carried by people through the streets while chanting "Wasshoi, Wasshoi."
The Fukagawa Festival is also known as the "Water Throwing Festival." If you bring a small container, you can use the purification water provided along the route to splash the carriers. When I participated, I felt as though I was truly part of the festival alongside the carriers.
The Fukagawa Festival is recommended for those who want to experience a traditional Japanese summer festival and interact with local people.
<Information>
Date: Around August 15th every year
Access: 7-minute walk from Monzen-Nakacho Station on Tokyo Metro Tozai Line or Toei Oedo Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.city.koto.lg.jp/skoto/tradition/reitaisai.html
Tsukiji Honganji Bon Dance Festival
Source:PR TIMES
The Tsukiji Honganji Bon Dance Festival is the largest scale bon dance event in Tokyo. The bon dance is held in the grounds of Tsukiji Honganji temple, where many people gather around a high tower set up in the center of the bon dance area and dance to traditional bon dance songs called Tsukiji Ondo and Tokyo Ondo.
My favorite aspect of the Tsukiji Honganji Bon Dance Festival is that you can also enjoy gourmet food. Famous shops from Tsukiji Outer Market set up stalls, allowing you to taste delicious cuisine that has earned it the reputation of being "Japan's most delicious bon dance festival."
If you would like to experience traditional music and dancing at a bon dance or participate in a festival where you can enjoy Japanese food, please visit. While enjoying this traditional event, you might also consider exploring the Akihabara Event August 2025 happening nearby for a complete cultural experience.
<Information>
Dates: July 31 - August 3, 2024 (2024 information)
Access: Directly connected to Exit 1 of Tsukiji Station, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://tsukijihongwanji.jp/
Hibiya Park Bon Odori Festival
Source:Visit Chiyoda
The Hibiya Park Bon Odori Festival has a long history dating back to 1932. It is characterized by dancing to a song called Marunouchi Ondo, where office workers from the business district, locals, and tourists form a circle around the large fountain in the park and dance together.
I didn't know how to do the bon dance, but professional dancers participate, so I naturally learned to dance by imitating their movements.
Many people attend the Hibiya Park Bon Odori Festival wearing yukata, traditional Japanese summer clothing, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Food stalls offering items at reasonable prices are also set up, so please enjoy them along with the bon dance.
<Information>
Dates: August 26, 2023 (2023 information)
Access: 2-minute walk from Hibiya Station on Tokyo Metro, 3-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station on Tokyo Metro
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/hibiya/index.html
Kōtō Fireworks Festival
Source:Official website
The Kōtō Fireworks Festival is a fireworks display held at Arakawa Sunamachi Mizube Park where approximately 6,000 fireworks are launched. The attractive feature of the Kōtō Fireworks Festival is that the distance between the launch site and the audience seating is only 150 meters, allowing you to feel the power and intensity.
Among the highlights, I especially recommend the fireworks called "starmines," which are launched continuously in a short period. The fireworks go up one after another, almost too fast to follow with your eyes, and their reflections on the surface of the Arakawa River create a gorgeous and photogenic scene. For those interested in summer activities, this is a perfect complement to the anticipated Akihabara Event August 2025.
If you want to experience powerful Japanese fireworks, visit the Kōtō Fireworks Festival.
<Information>
Dates: August 11, 2025
Access: 1-minute walk from Shiodome Station on the Toei Oedo Line and Yurikamome Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://koto-hanabi.com/
Edogawa Fireworks Festival
Source:TOKYO Ichioshi Navi
The Edogawa Fireworks Festival is a large-scale fireworks display representative of Tokyo, where approximately 14,000 fireworks are launched. The 2025 event will be the 50th anniversary, featuring special programs unique to this commemorative event, such as a 55-meter-high Mt. Fuji-shaped firework and a display where 1,000 fireworks are launched at once within 5 seconds.
At the Edogawa Fireworks Festival, you can leisurely enjoy the fireworks from a spacious riverbank without any obstacles. If you would like to see large-scale and unique fireworks, the Edogawa Fireworks Festival is perfect for you.
<Information>
Dates: August 2, 2025
Access: About 15-minute walk from Shinozaki Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line, 25-minute walk from JR Koiwa Station or Keisei Edogawa Station on the Keisei Electric Railway
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp/hanabi/
Ueno Summer Festival
Source:TAITO Odekake Navi
The Ueno Summer Festival is a summer celebration held around Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park for approximately one month. Various stage performances including concerts, comedy shows, and professional wrestling are held daily, offering an easy way to enjoy Japanese entertainment.
During the Ueno Summer Festival period, the lotus flowers in Shinobazu Pond are also in full bloom, making flower viewing another enjoyable activity. As this is an easily accessible summer festival, please be sure to visit during your Ueno sightseeing trip.
<Information>
Dates: July 12 - August 12, 2024
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station Park Exit, 10-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza/Hibiya Line Ueno Station (Exit 7)
Admission: Free (some events require paid admission)
Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/ueno/index.html
Want to fully experience Tokyo? Join a local tour for a guided exploration of Tokyo!
1-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour with a Private Car and Guide
The 1-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour is a tour that allows you to efficiently visit Tokyo's famous spots with a private car and guide. You can enjoy various highlights in different areas of Tokyo in one day, including Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Jingu, Tsukiji, and Asakusa.
The tour is all-inclusive with entrance fees, meals, and drinks all included, making it attractive that you can enjoy sightseeing without worrying about your budget. Tokyo is a small city packed with attractions, so having a guide's explanations will make visiting these spots even more enjoyable. If you're planning to visit the Akihabara Event August 2025, this tour can help you familiarize yourself with Tokyo's layout for your future trip.
Please consider taking advantage of this tour if you have limited time in Tokyo or want to fully experience the city.
Pickup point: Accommodations within this area zone are eligible for vehicle pickup.
Please enter your accommodation at checkout.
Tour areas: Around Harajuku, Tsukiji, Asakusa, Shibuya
Start time: 9:00
Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku
The Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku is a tour where you can experience Japanese izakaya culture by visiting bars in Shinjuku. An izakaya is a dining establishment where you can enjoy alcoholic beverages and food that pairs well with them, and this tour visits izakayas that are popular with locals.
The attractive point of this tour is that you can listen to explanations from guides knowledgeable about alcohol and Japanese food while drinking and eating food of your preference. Additionally, drinks and meal costs are included in the fee, so you can participate without bringing anything. While exploring Shinjuku's nightlife, guides often share information about upcoming events like the Akihabara Event August 2025, which will feature special anime exhibitions and technology showcases.
If you want to visit izakayas recommended by locals or want to enjoy drinking in a more fun way, please consider participating in this tour.
Meeting point: In front of Black pillar (Next to Uniqlo Shinjuku Nishiguchi shop)
Tour area: Around Shinjuku
Start times: 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00
