Shinjuku in August 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
In August, Tokyo's climate is quite harsh with an average temperature of around 29°C (84°F), and many days exceeding 35°C (95°F). The high humidity makes it feel even hotter, which is why you'll see many people using hats, parasols, portable fans, and cooling towels while walking around the city.
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's premier entertainment districts where you can enjoy shopping at famous department stores and electronics retailers, as well as dining at numerous restaurants. The area also features historic shrines and lush parks, making it a continuously crowded destination packed with various attractions.
In August 2025, Shinjuku will host numerous events that allow you to experience authentic Japanese culture and enjoy summer festivities. This article introduces the highlights, basic information, schedules, and access details for these events.
Traditional Japanese Summer Events in Shinjuku for August 2025
Shinjuku Kabukichō Bon Dance
Source:PR TIMES
The Shinjuku Kabukichō Bon Dance, which began in 2019, offers you the chance to experience traditional bon dancing at "Cinecity Square" in Kabukicho, Shinjuku's most bustling area. Bon dancing is a traditional Japanese dance performed to music to honor ancestors and is a beloved summer tradition in Japan.
The event is hosted by Ageha Bijo, who produces bon dance events nationwide and will teach you dance techniques and guide the proceedings. The stage will also feature performances by taiko drum idol units and guest performers, adding excitement to the summer night.
This popular tourist area attracts many foreign visitors who spontaneously join in every year. With music ranging from traditional tunes to dance music and J-POP, you can enjoy bon dancing to whatever rhythm suits you best!
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (exact date undecided)
- Access: 2-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line), 4-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (various lines)
- Admission: Free
- Website: None
Jingu Gaien Fireworks Show
Source:PR TIMES
The Jingu Gaien Fireworks Show takes place at Meiji Jingu Gaien, where approximately 10,000 fireworks illuminate Shinjuku's night sky. The official paid venues are Jingu Stadium and Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, where you can comfortably enjoy the fireworks display.
At Jingu Stadium, you can watch live concerts by famous artists before the fireworks begin, creating a magnificent combination of music and pyrotechnics. The venue fills with excitement even before the first firework launches, and when it does, the energy reaches its peak! I've watched from Jingu Stadium before, and the powerful combination of live performances and up-close fireworks kept my spirits high throughout the event.
Since seats are assigned in advance, there's no need to worry about securing a spot. I highly recommend booking a paid venue for a smooth viewing experience.
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (exact date undecided)
- Access: 5-minute walk from Sendagaya Station (various lines), 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Gaienmae Station, Aoyama-Itchome Station, or Omotesando Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.jinguhanabi.com/ (2024 site)
Shinjuku Central Park Summer Festival
Source:Official website
The Shinjuku Central Park Summer Festival is a two-day celebration held at Shinjuku Central Park, featuring food stalls and bon dancing. You can enjoy the summer festival with the glittering nightscape of Shinjuku's skyscrapers as a backdrop, making it perfect for a date.
When the festival begins at 5:30 PM, the venue comes alive with stage performances including children's dance shows and bon dancing. The festival grounds offer plenty of traditional Japanese fair attractions such as yoyo fishing (catching water balloons with strings), ring toss, and lottery games.
When I visited with my nephew, his eyes lit up with excitement. I enjoyed festival classics like yakisoba and frankfurters from the food stalls while soaking in the summer festival atmosphere.
Just a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, why not experience a traditional Japanese summer festival after your sightseeing?
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (exact date undecided)
- Access: 1-minute walk from Tocho-mae Station (Oedo Line), 5-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Station (Marunouchi Line), 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (various lines)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/shinjukuchuopark/p/C-o0uNOzEi4/
Shinjuku Golden Gai Summer Thanksgiving Festival
Source:Official website
The Shinjuku Golden Gai Summer Thanksgiving Festival is an exciting August 2025 event where Shinjuku's nostalgic drinking district transforms into a street-side stall village for one day only. The appealing point is that over 150 establishments in Golden Gai offer drinks for just 500 yen without any cover charge.
The highlight is the annual "Bar Hopping Stamp Rally." When you order a drink at participating stores, you'll receive one stamp, and after collecting 10 stamps, you can get a luxurious prize. I participated in the stamp rally and received an original mini tote bag. It's definitely worth trying as a memorable souvenir of your trip!
This Shinjuku event in August 2025 is perfect even for first-time visitors to Golden Gai. With various food and drink menus available, why not forget about your diet for a while and indulge yourself in eating and drinking to experience a blissful time?
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (exact date TBD)
- Access: 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station or Shinjuku-sanchome Station
- Entrance fee: Free
- Website: http://golden-gai.tokyo/nouryousai2024/ (2024 site)
Kita-Shinjuku Park Bon Dance Festival
Source:Official website
The Kita-Shinjuku Park Bon Dance Festival runs for two days and takes place in the large plaza in the center of Kita-Shinjuku Park.
Food stalls offer festival favorites like yakisoba, chijimi (Korean pancakes), cotton candy, frankfurters, and shaved ice. Since the festival is organized by the neighborhood association, the food is reasonably priced, which is very attractive. When I attended, shaved ice was only 100 yen, so because of the heat, I ended up buying it twice!
The bon dance features not only traditional songs but also Disney tunes. It was impressive to see children wearing yukata (a type of kimono worn at summer events) dancing joyfully.
This Shinjuku event in August 2025 has a homey atmosphere centered around the neighborhood association, making it easy to attend with children. Please feel free to visit without any formality.
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (exact date TBD)
- Access: 8-minute walk from Higashi-Nakano Station or 11-minute walk from - Okubo Station
- Entrance fee: Free
- Website: None
When in Shinjuku, Join Tripadvisor's "Best of Best Tour 2024" to Safely Enjoy the Nightlife!
When visiting Shinjuku, why not join Tripadvisor's "Best of Best Tour 2024" to safely enjoy the nightlife? The Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku is a popular tour that allows you to visit hidden izakayas known only to locals, just like a local would.
The tour first visits Omoide Yokocho, known for its retro atmosphere, where you can enjoy yakitori, agedashi tofu, and other dishes perfect for accompanying drinks, along with a wide variety of alcoholic beverages. Next, you'll stop by reservation-only bars in Kabukicho and Shinjuku 3-chome to experience Japanese drinking culture. You can choose your menu with a knowledgeable guide, so you'll be able to order food that's perfect for you.
The tour is in a small group with a friendly guide, so you can participate without any pressure, which is another attractive point. Come and experience drinking like a local in Tokyo!
<Information>
- Meeting point: UNIQLO Shinjuku West Exit Store
- Tour area: Shinjuku
- Start time: Tours depart every 30 minutes from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
4 Traditional Events & Fireworks to Fully Enjoy Tokyo in August 2025
If you're planning to visit Tokyo in August 2025, you're in for a treat! While Shinjuku hosts many exciting events year-round, these traditional summer festivals across Tokyo are must-see experiences for any tourist. Each event offers a unique glimpse into Japanese culture during the vibrant August 2025 festival season.
Fukagawa Festival (One of Edo's Three Great Festivals)
Source:Koto City
The Fukagawa Festival is one of Edo's three great festivals, held annually around August 15th at Tomioka Hachiman Shrine. The most exciting time is the main festival held once every three years, where you can see the impressive sight of 53 portable shrines (mikoshi, vehicles believed to carry deities) of various sizes parading through the streets.
The highlight of the festival is the water splashing from the roadside (where spectators shower the carriers with purifying water) and the "Wasshoi" chants, where carriers and spectators unite to liven up the festival. I have experienced the water splashing myself and enjoyed the energetic festival while getting completely soaked, forgetting about the summer heat.
There's a high chance of getting wet even if you don't participate in the water splashing, so it's recommended to wear clothes that can get wet or bring a change of clothes. Festivals where you can splash water are rare in Japan, so please give it a try.
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (TBD)
- Access: 3-minute walk from Monzen-Nakacho Station on the Tozai Line, 6-minute walk from Monzen-Nakacho Station on the Oedo Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: http://www.tomiokahachimangu.or.jp/annai/maturi/maturih1.html
Shibuya Bon Dance Festival
Source:Shibuya Bunka Project
The Shibuya Bon Dance Festival is an event that started in 2017 with the theme of "creating interaction between the people of Shibuya and those who visit Shibuya." Parts of Bunkamura Street and Dogenzaka are regulated for traffic, and participants enjoy bon dancing in front of Shibuya 109 while holding hands and forming a large circle.
The music includes bon dance classics as well as Shibuya original songs, offering a new sensory entertainment experience where old and new mix together.
In addition to bon dancing, the venue also features DJ shows, dancer performances, and live performances by artists, guaranteeing that your body will naturally start moving.
Bon dancing has simple choreography that even children can dance, so even beginners can easily participate. Please experience Japanese traditional culture in person right in front of Shibuya 109, which symbolizes Shibuya.
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (TBD)
- Access: 3-minute walk from Shibuya Station on all lines
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://shibuyadogenzaka.com/?page_id=3981 (2024 website)
Tsukiji Honganji Bon Dance Festival
Source:PR TIMES
The Tsukiji Honganji Bon Dance Festival is one of the largest bon dance events in Tokyo, held at Tsukiji Honganji Temple. The bon dancing performed around the main hall, which exudes an exotic atmosphere with its ancient Asian Buddhist architecture, is reputed to be a sight that can only be seen here.
What's noteworthy is that the event is called "Japan's most delicious bon dance," where you can eat exquisite dishes from the Tsukiji Outer Market at the venue. I purchased bite-sized tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) from "Tsukiji Shouro," famous for their egg rolls, and a mackerel sandwich from "Tsukiji Kyotomi." Both were perfect for eating while walking, so I could enjoy them while watching the bon dancing. Eating while watching the elegant dancing is truly wonderful.
Dance a lot, work up an appetite, and fully enjoy the food from these famous establishments!
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (TBD)
- Access: Directly connected to Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: None
Itabashi Fireworks Festival
Source:Go Tokyo
The Itabashi Fireworks Festival is a spectacular event held along the Arakawa riverbed in Itabashi Ward. Combined with the simultaneously held Todabashi Fireworks Festival on the opposite bank of the Arakawa River, visitors can enjoy approximately 15,000 fireworks.
The highlights include the largest 15-ball fireworks in Tokyo, as well as breathtaking displays like the "Niagara Falls" where fireworks cascade down like a waterfall into the river. While most fireworks in Tokyo are in the 4-8 size range, the Itabashi Fireworks Festival is the only place in Tokyo where you can see impressive 15-size fireworks, making it a must-see event in August 2025. The "Niagara Falls" display utilizes 300 meters of the Arakawa riverbed, offering a truly magnificent fireworks experience.
Other attractions include competitions between Japan's top pyrotechnicians and character-themed fireworks that children will love, creating a program so captivating you won't want to look away for even a moment. While fireworks can be viewed from various locations in the surrounding area, this festival gets very crowded, so using paid seating is recommended for a more comfortable viewing experience.
<Information>
- Date: August 2025 (exact date to be determined)
- Access: Varies depending on viewing location
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://itabashihanabi.jp/
When visiting Shinjuku, try a tour where you can enjoy exceptional yakiniku and sushi with a local guide!
When you come to Shinjuku, consider joining a tour where you can enjoy exquisite yakiniku (grilled meat) and sushi with a local guide. The "Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku" is a popular event that takes you to three insider-recommended restaurants to fully experience sushi and yakiniku.
At the first stop, a sushi restaurant, you can enjoy chef-recommended sushi items. With counter seating available, you can watch the skilled craftsmanship of the sushi chefs while enjoying a dynamic dining experience.
At the next restaurant, a yakiniku place, you can grill world-renowned Japanese wagyu beef to your preferred doneness on tabletop grills. The perfectly marbled wagyu beef concentrates incredible umami flavor that will bring a smile to your face with every bite.
The tour concludes with authentic Japanese sweets and drinks. This tour is packed with Tokyo's "must-eat" cuisine, making it perfect for food enthusiasts visiting Shinjuku in 2025.
<Information>
- Meeting point: UNIQLO Shinjuku West Exit Store
- Tour area: Shinjuku area
- Start times: 5 PM, 6 PM, 7 PM
