Ueno Summer Festival Complete Guide: 5 Must-See Events, Traditional Ennichi & Best Spots Around Ueno Park
Ueno, known as one of Tokyo's representative tourist destinations, is a town recognized for hosting various events throughout the year. Among them, the Ueno Summer Festival held every July is an event that attracts numerous people.
On the festival day, food stalls that are essential to Japanese summer festivals open in Ueno Park, allowing visitors to enjoy a good old Japanese festival. In this article, we will explain in detail the attractive points of the Ueno Summer Festival, which is held every summer in Ueno.
Table of Contents
-The Annual Ueno Summer Festival is Held in Ueno
-3 Reasons Why the Ueno Summer Festival is a Great Success Every Year
-5 Highlights of Ueno Summer Festival! Introducing Events You Should Enjoy
If You Visit Tokyo in Summer, You Should Participate in a "Summer Festival" Where You Can Feel Japanese Culture
If you visit Tokyo in summer, we recommend participating in a "Summer Festival" where you can feel Japanese culture. In Japan, Summer Festivals are held in parks and shrines during summer, where various food stalls and game stalls open.
Originally, Summer Festivals were started for the purpose of warding off evil spirits during summer when epidemics were likely to spread. Currently, they are also held for the purpose of interaction among local residents, and various events such as Bon Dance and fireworks are held.
The Annual Ueno Summer Festival is Held in Ueno
Source:PR TIMES
At Ueno Park in Ueno, an event called the "Ueno Summer Festival" is held annually for about one month from mid-July. It developed from a project by local students who wanted to create a space in Ueno where diverse people could create together through the festival, and the first event was held in 2019.
At the festival, not only do various stalls operate around Shinobazu Pond, but also a wide variety of programs such as stage performances and Bon Dance are held.
<Event Overview>
Date: July 11 - August 11 (2025)
Venue: Around Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park, Water Music Hall
Organizer: Ueno Tourist Federation
Co-organizer: Taito Ward, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3833-0030 (Ueno Tourist Federation)
Overview of Ueno Park Where the Ueno Summer Festival is Held
Ueno Park, where the Ueno Summer Festival is held, is a representative urban park in Japan with a history of more than 150 years. Within the green-covered park, there are cultural facilities such as art museums, museums, and a zoo.
It is also known as one of Tokyo's representative cherry blossom viewing spots, and many people visit the park in spring to enjoy cherry blossom viewing. On the west side of the park is a pond called Shinobazu Pond, and the Lotus Flowers that bloom in summer are particularly famous.
3 Reasons Why the Ueno Summer Festival is a Great Success Every Year
Because You Can Enjoy the Good Old Japanese "Ennichi"
Source:Official website
One of the reasons why the Ueno Summer Festival is a very popular festival is that you can enjoy the good old Japanese "ennichi." When the festival first started, ennichi stalls were only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, but now they are open every day including weekdays.
The stores open around Shinobazu Pond. Not only food stalls but also many stores that both children and adults can enjoy, such as Shooting Gallery and Ring Toss, open.
What is Ennichi?
Ennichi refers to a special day associated with a Shrine. The term "ennichi" originally came from the idea of people forming a connection with gods.
Since ancient times, worshipping on ennichi days is believed to bring blessings, so on ennichi days, various stalls open within the Shrine grounds to attract people, creating a lively atmosphere.
Both ennichi and festivals have stalls, but the purpose of ennichi is to make offerings to gods. Therefore, the purpose of holding them differs from festivals that are held lively with Bon Dance and Portable Shrines.
To See the Ueno Summer Festival's Traditional Specialty "Rin-Rin Corridor" with Your Own Eyes
Source:Official website
At the Ueno Summer Festival, the "Rin-Rin Corridor" is held as an annual event. During the festival period, approximately 3,000 Corridors hung from a roof are installed on the "lotus viewing deck," where you can view the Lotus growing in Shinobazu Pond.
Corridor refers to a small bell hung under the eaves of houses in summer. Because it makes a cool tinkling sound, it has become established as a summer tradition in Japan.
The good old Japanese landscape is recreated, and please be sure to enjoy the sight of countless Corridors hanging there with your own eyes.
Because There Are Many Stalls That Not Only Adults But Also Children Can Enjoy
The Ueno Summer Festival is a festival where many stalls open that not only adults but also children can enjoy. While there are many food and alcohol stalls that adults can enjoy, there are also many game stalls that children can laugh and enjoy.
A particularly popular stall is Goldfish Scooping. This is a traditional game seen at summer festivals, where you scoop Goldfish using a scoop made of paper. Since the paper is thin, considerable skill is required to catch the Goldfish.
Other games popular with children include Shooting Gallery, where you aim at prizes that serve as targets with a toy gun, and Ring Toss, where you throw rings onto prizes.
5 Highlights of Ueno Summer Festival! Introducing Events You Should Enjoy
Antique Market
Source:Official website
During the Ueno Summer Festival, an Antique Market is held near Benten gate and attracts large crowds. This Market has been held annually in Ueno and has been beloved by Antique enthusiasts in Tokyo for nearly 40 years.
From retro Antiques to unique Antiques, there is a wide variety of items, so you can enjoy just looking without buying. The operating hours are from 14:00 to 21:00, so it's possible to visit even after sunset.
I also always visit the Antique Market during the festival and enjoy looking at the distinctive items.
Street Performance at Bentendo
Source:Official website
On weekends in late July, you can watch Street Performances for free in the precincts of Bentendo. This event features a Japanese Drum performance group every year, showcasing spectacular and intense Japanese Drum performances.
Another characteristic is that you can see acrobatic performances synchronized with these Japanese Drums. The spectacular performances are breathtaking and will captivate you.
Performances are held twice, at 13:00 and 15:00. If you're moved by the performance, please show your appreciation with a tip of any amount.
Performance by Nikko Monkey Corps
Source:Official website
On weekends during the Ueno Summer Festival period, performances by the Nikko Monkey Corps are held. At this event, you can see monkeys dancing and performing tricks in time with the narration and drums of the Monkey Spinning handler.
Monkey Spinning has been performed as a religious ritual in Japan since ancient times, and since monkeys have been considered messengers of the gods, it also carries the meaning of warding off evil. Not only the quick and comical movements of the monkeys, but also the comedy-like interactions with humans are attractive points.
I watch it every year and enjoy the monkeys' splendid performances.
Ice Sculpture
Source:Official website
Around July 22nd during the festival period, you can view beautifully transparent Ice Sculptures up close. Every year, wonderful craftsmen who create Ice Sculptures come to Ueno and carve ice blocks in front of Shinobasu Pond, breathing life into them.
You're sure to be moved by the sound of the ice being carved and the gradually completed form becoming visible as it's carved. After completion, it remains on display, but the ephemeral sight of the sculpture gradually melting in the heat is also an attractive point.
It's held around 14:00 when the heat peaks, so if you want to feel cool by looking at the ice, please visit.
Floating Lanterns
Source:Official website
Every year around July 19th, Floating Lanterns are held at Shinobasu Pond. Floating Lanterns is one of Japan's traditional memorial services where Lanterns are released onto ponds or rivers to mourn the dead.
At the Floating Lanterns held from around 19:00, countless Lanterns are floated on Shinobasu Pond, and fantastic lights envelop the entire pond. Anyone can float Floating Lanterns by paying 1,000 yen and applying, so if you wish to do so, visit Bentendo at 18:00.
I also visit Shinobasu Pond on the day of the event and am captivated by the fantastic lights.
When You Come to Ueno, Enjoy Bar Hopping at Authentic Spots Loved by Locals!
If you want to enjoy bar hopping in the lively streets of Ueno, where there are many izakayas, join this tour where you can experience bar hopping at authentic establishments.
During this tour, you'll explore the back alleys of Ueno while savoring carefully selected local street food.
On this tour, you can experience "nomihoudai" (all-you-drink), where you can enjoy as much alcohol as you like within a set time. After enjoying drinks, visit a ramen shop beloved in the Ueno area to enjoy ramen as your finishing meal.
Why not experience an unprecedented Tokyo lifestyle at a cozy izakaya?
<Information>
Meeting Point: "UENO" near Ueno Hirokoji Exit
Tour Area: Ueno
Tour Start Time: 18:00
Three Spots to Enjoy Together with Festivals in Ueno
The Ueno area is also famous for having many attractive spots. Here, we'll introduce three spots you should enjoy together with festivals in Ueno, including the Ueno Summer Festival.
Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo is Japan's first zoo to open and represents Japan's leading zoological gardens. It's also known as the first zoo in Japan to keep pandas, and has successfully bred and raised precious animals including the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger and Western Lowland Gorilla.
The zoo features historical facilities such as the old main gate and the Five-Storied Pagoda from the former Kaneiji Temple. The grounds are divided into two areas, the West Garden and East Garden, which are connected by a shuttle bus.
Since it's a highly popular facility, crowds are expected, so be sure to purchase date-specified online tickets that can be bought from one month before your visit.
<Information>
Address: 9-83 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 9:30-17:00
Closed: Mondays, Year-end and New Year holidays
Phone Number: 03-3828-5171
Official Website: https://www.tokyo-zoo.net/zoo/ueno/
Ameyoko Shopping Street
Ameyoko Shopping Street is a shopping district located along the railway tracks between Ueno Station and Okachimachi Station. Along the approximately 500m shopping street, about 400 shops line up where you can purchase groceries, souvenirs, and more.
At some shops where you can hear the energetic voices of store clerks, price negotiation is also possible. Some shops will sell items at prices much cheaper than the regular price, so if you want to buy something at a lower price, definitely give it a try.
There are also numerous shops directly under the railway tracks, and the maze-like atmosphere allows you to enjoy a little adventure. It's an interesting spot just to walk around, so be sure to visit. When visiting during the Ueno Summer Festival period, you can enjoy both the festival atmosphere and shopping at the same time.
<Information>
Address: 4-7-10 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: Varies by store
Closed: Varies by store
Phone Number: 03-3832-5053
Official Website: https://www.ameyoko.net/
Tokyo National Museum
Source:Official website
Tokyo National Museum is known as Japan's oldest museum. It's a museum displaying over 110,000 precious collections, including not only Japanese art but also Oriental art and archaeological objects.
There are five main buildings, and the main building, designated as an Important Cultural Property, is a facility where you can thoroughly appreciate the history of Japanese art chronologically.
In the adjacent Toyokan (Asian Gallery), you can enjoy art and crafts from Asian countries such as China, Korea, and India, as well as Egypt.
Additionally, in the Heiseikan, you can learn about Japanese history through the display of archaeological objects. Since it takes half a day to a full day just to thoroughly view all the exhibits, it's recommended to decide what you want to see first before visiting.
<Information>
Address: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 9:30-17:00
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
Phone Number: 03-3822-1111
Official Website: https://www.tnm.jp/
