Yanaka Events May 2026: Festivals, Markets & Must-See Celebrations in Asakusa, Ueno & Beyond
Since moving to a neighborhood Shibuya in 2024, I've been visiting many cities in Tokyo including Yanaka Ginza everyday to explore its appeal and discovered spots I can recommend to tourists.
I updated this article in January 2026 to incorporate my findings from this research, along with the latest information for 2026.
Another reason for updating the article is the growing interest in tours that allow visitors to enjoy sightseeing spots and Japanese traditional culture. As these tours gain popularity, Magical Trip's tour, which ranked #1 among all tours on Tripadvisor, has been receiving numerous applications.
If you want to experience the retro atmosphere and authentic Japanese charm of Yanaka Ginza, join the "Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town." A local guide will show you the most recommended spots in the Yanaka area, where historical sites are scattered throughout.
For those who love retro neighborhoods, we also recommend these two tours. Both can be enjoyed in the towns adjacent to Yanaka, and you can fully experience their charm simply by following guides who know these streets inside and out.
・Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
・All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno
We hope you'll have a wonderful time experiencing everything retro towns have to offer by joining a Magical Trip tour!
Introduction
In May, Yanaka Ginza transitions from spring to summer. Early in the month, days are warm while mornings and evenings remain cool, but by late May, there are more days when you can comfortably wear short sleeves even at night.
Yanaka Ginza is an area where redevelopment hasn't progressed much. Despite being located close to the city center, it's a place where you can enjoy old Tokyo, forgetting the hustle and bustle of the city. In May 2026, numerous traditional and nature-themed events will be held in Yanaka Ginza.
In this article, I'll introduce my recommended events, highlighting their attractions, basic information, schedules, and access to venues. I'll also introduce events in the retro neighborhoods of "Asakusa" and "Ueno" around Yanaka Ginza, so please read until the end.
2026 Year-round Event Schedule in Yanaka↓
・Yanaka: List of Events & Festivals for 2026
sena kanda
Table of Contents
- Special May Experiences Around Yanaka Ginza
- Special May Experiences Around Asakusa
- Special May Experiences Around Ueno
Special May Experiences Around Yanaka Ginza
May Festival (Tobifudoson Shoboin)
Tobifudoson Shoboin is famous for enshrining a flying deity and is known for bringing good fortune (similar to God's blessing in Christianity) related to various "flying things" such as aviation safety and golf.
Tobifudoson Shoboin teaches that May is a time when things rise significantly but also deplete quickly. Therefore, by performing "ogoma" during the May Festival, they aim to remove misfortunes and achieve better results for the audience attending this Yanaka event in May 2026.
Ogoma is the most respectful way to make requests to deities and is a traditional Japanese ritual where offerings are burned to deliver them to the heavenly world before making wishes. This ritual is conducted in a very solemn atmosphere, allowing you to experience Japanese faith.
Reservations are required, but it will undoubtedly be a valuable experience, so please consider applying.
Information:
- Date: Typically May 28th
- Access: Subway Hibiya Line, get off at Minowa Station
→ 600m south, about 8 minutes on foot (maps of the surrounding area are available at the ticket gate)
- Toei Bus, get off at Ryusen, 3 minutes on foot
- Admission: Free
- Website: http://tobifudo.jp/
Bunkyo Azalea Festival
The Bunkyo Azalea Festival has been held since 1969 at Nedu Shrine grounds. During this month-long festival, approximately 100 varieties and 3,000 stocks of colorful azaleas bloom profusely. Since each of the 100 varieties has different blooming times and colors, the scenery changes daily throughout the festival period.
At the beginning, the contrast between green and pink is beautiful, and by mid-month, the view is covered with various shades of pink. The sight of different varieties of azaleas spreading across your entire field of vision is a spectacular view that can only be seen here, making it a perfect destination for the audience visiting Yanaka in May 2026.
I especially love the view looking down at the azalea flowers from above. It's truly beautiful, like people walking on a carpet of flowers.
Additionally, various events are held at Nedu Shrine during the festival period. There are stalls every day, and on weekends, you can enjoy traditional Japanese performing arts and many other attractions. Please visit at least once.
Information:
- Date: April 1 (Tue) to April 30 (Wed)
- Access: 5 minutes on foot from "Nezu Station" or "Sendagi Station" on Tokyo - Metro Chiyoda Line
- 5 minutes on foot from "Todaimae Station" on Tokyo Metro Namboku Line
- 10 minutes on foot from "Hakusan Station" on Toei Mita Line
- Admission: 300 yen
- Website: https://nedujinja.or.jp/
Yanaka Antique Market
The Yanaka Antique Market is a beloved flea market event held in the Yanaka area, where visitors can browse a wide variety of antiques and vintage items.
- Date: [21st] February 11, 2026 / [22nd] March 7–8 / [23rd] April 4–5 / [24th] May 2–3, 2026
- Address: 3-10-1 Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo
- Access: Approx. 3 minutes from the West Exit of "Nippori Station" (JR, Keisei Electric Railway, Nippori-Toneri Liner)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.yanaka-antique-market.com/
Yanaka Handmade Market
The Yanaka Handmade Market is a handcrafted goods market held on the charming Yomise-dori Shopping Street, known for its nostalgic and welcoming atmosphere. The market features original works created by local handmade artists, including textile goods, ceramics, accessories, and more — each piece reflecting the individuality of its maker.
One of the highlights of this Yanaka event is the opportunity to interact directly with the artists while choosing your favorite pieces. Many of the exhibitors will kindly explain the production process and materials used in their work.
Learning about the care put into the materials and the stories behind each creation deepens your appreciation for these one-of-a-kind items. At the Yanaka Handmade Market in May 2026, you can even find stalls offering on-the-spot portrait drawings, making it a truly unique experience. Why not pick up a lovingly handcrafted souvenir from this tranquil, old-fashioned shopping street to bring back home?
- Date: Late May 2026
- Address: 3-47-12 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
- Access: Approx. 6 minutes from "Sendagi Station" on the Tokyo Metro
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://machiteku.com/kobetsu/yomise/
Special May-Only Experiences Around Asakusa
Sanja Matsuri
Sanja Matsuri is a May tradition of Asakusa, held at Asakusa Shrine, which has a long history of about 1,400 years. On the days of this festival, which gathers over 1.8 million people over three days, Asakusa is said to be at its most lively time of the year.
This festival takes place throughout the entire Asakusa area, not just within the shrine. Various traditional Japanese processions parade through the streets over the three days. What I especially recommend is the third day, when people carry three large mikoshi (portable shrines shaped like houses that transport deities) through the streets.
The excitement and cheers of those carrying the mikoshi is a sensation that can only be experienced by being there in person.
During the festival period, various traditional dances are also performed in the shrine grounds, so please check these out as well. I always make sure to check out both.
Information:
- Dates: May 15–17, 2026
- Access: 7 minutes walk from Asakusa Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
7 minutes walk from Asakusa Station on Toei Subway Asakusa Line
7 minutes walk from Asakusa Station on Tobu Line
10 minutes walk from Asakusa Station on Tsukuba Express
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.asakusajinja.jp/sanjamatsuri/
Also Experience Kanda Matsuri, One of the Three Great Edo Festivals!
Alongside Sanja Matsuri, another must-see event in Tokyo in May is Kanda Matsuri. Kanda Matsuri is a traditional festival of Kanda Myojin Shrine and is counted among Japan's Three Great Festivals, making it one of the most renowned festivals in the country. The grand Honmatsuri is held in even-numbered years, while a more modest Kagematsuri takes place in odd-numbered years.
As 2026 is an odd-numbered year, this will be a Kagematsuri. While smaller in scale than the Honmatsuri — which sees over 200 mikoshi gathering in the heart of Tokyo — visitors can still observe the solemn series of Shinto ceremonies performed on the shrine grounds.
Traditional arts such as the tea ceremony and Noh (a classical Japanese dance-drama performed in traditional costume and masks) are performed before the deities, giving visitors an up-close encounter with Japan's authentic traditional culture.
Even during the Kagematsuri, you can enjoy the lively spectacle of people dressed in traditional attire carrying mikoshi through the streets. Please take the opportunity to experience the unique rituals and festive spirit of a Japanese shrine that can only be found during the Kagematsuri.
- Date: Mid-May 2026
- Address: 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Access: Approx. 5 minutes from "Ochanomizu Station" on JR or the Tokyo Metro
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://kandamatsuri.com/
Asakusabashi Red and White Marronnier Festival
The Asakusabashi Red and White Marronnier Festival is a festival where you can enjoy various events such as parades, food stalls, and stage performances.
The main attraction of this festival is the parade, where you can enjoy various types of parades from traditional Japanese parades to brass bands. The town comes alive with parades of various atmospheres, from beautiful to intense.
The name "Marronnier Festival" comes from the "marronnier" flowers that bloom around the venue. The pale, small flowers are very cute and perfect for the festival atmosphere. When you visit this festival, please enjoy the flowers blooming along the streets and the collaboration of flowers and dance.
What I recommend most is the boat ride. You can enjoy beautiful scenery and delicious Japanese cuisine while slowly cruising down the river flowing through Asakusa on a traditional wooden boat.
Information:
- Dates: May 9–10, 2026
- Access: 3 minutes walk from Asakusabashi Station on JR Line
3 minutes walk from Asakusabashi Station on Toei Subway Asakusa Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://marronnier-matsuri.com
Asakusa Temple's Wisteria Trellis
In Asakusa, wisteria flowers reach their peak bloom in May, and you can enjoy these flowers and wisteria trellises throughout the city. Wisteria flowers are purple, hanging blooms, and a wisteria trellis is a rest area with these flowers forming a natural roof.
Wisteria flowers and trellises frequently appear in the popular anime and manga "Demon Slayer," so many people may be familiar with them.
I love wisteria flowers and visit Asakusa every May. My highest recommendation is the wisteria trellis at Senso-ji Temple. A large rest area has been set up under the spacious trellis, where you can relax in the shade.
The beautiful flowers, sweet fragrance, pleasant breeze, and the sound of wind rustling the flowers and leaves - everything you experience is peaceful, creating a tranquil atmosphere. When you're tired from sightseeing or the hustle and bustle of the city, please take time to relax under the wisteria trellis at Senso-ji Temple.
Information:
- Schedule: Late April to early May
- Access:
Tobu Skytree Line: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station
Tokyo Metro Ginza Line: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station
Tsukuba Express: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station
Toei Subway Asakusa Line: 5-minute walk from Exit A4 of Asakusa Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/
Special Experiences Only in May Around Ueno
Gojou Tenjin Shrine Grand Festival
Gojou Tenjin Shrine is a prestigious shrine with nearly 2000 years of history dedicated to the deity of medicine, with traditions carefully preserved by local residents. The largest annual event held at Gojou Tenjin Shrine is the Gojou Tenjin Shrine Grand Festival.
On festival days, the streets come alive with the sounds of drums and flutes (hayashi - performances with traditional Japanese instruments) and the calls of people carrying portable shrines (mikoshi). Hayashi creates a cheerful atmosphere with its unique Japanese rhythm, enhancing the festive mood throughout the area.
A ceremonial archery competition is also held, where you can watch people shooting arrows as offerings to the deity. You might think it's similar to archery, but you'll feel a more distinctly Japanese aesthetic from the atmosphere that balances calmness with intensity. Please visit once to experience this atmosphere for yourself.
Information:
- Schedule: May 25th every year
- Access:
JR Line: 5-minute walk from Ueno Station
Tokyo Metro: 5-minute walk from Ueno Station
Keisei Line: 3-minute walk from Keisei-Ueno Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.gojoutenjinsha.com/
Shitaya Shrine Grand Festival
The Shitaya Shrine Grand Festival has over 1000 years of history and is loved by locals and people worldwide as the first summer festival in the downtown area. The highlights of this festival are the portable shrines (mikoshi) and food stalls.
The scale of Shitaya Shrine's mikoshi changes every other year. Unfortunately, 2025 will be a year with slightly smaller scale, but the excitement of this festival is still so intense that you'll break into a sweat from the crowd's energy despite it being May.
This festival also features many food stalls, which are essential to Japanese summer festivals. You can enjoy various festival foods such as candy apples, cotton candy, and french fries. There are also many stalls offering mini-games like goldfish scooping, target shooting, and yo-yo fishing.
Information:
- Schedule: May 8–10, 2026
- Access:
JR Yamanote Line: 6-minute walk from Ueno Station
Subway Ginza Line: 2-minute walk from Inaricho Station
Oedo Line: 5-minute walk from Shin-Okachimachi Station
Toei Bus: 2-minute walk from Shitaya Shrine bus stop
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://shitayajinja.or.jp/
Satsuki Festival
One of Japan's traditional cultural arts is "bonsai." This involves growing small potted trees to resemble miniature versions of full-sized trees, and it has enthusiasts worldwide. These bonsai are often auctioned for over 100 million yen, requiring high technical skill and deep emotional sensitivity.
The Satsuki Festival is an event where numerous bonsai are displayed. While ordinary bonsai express beauty through branches and leaves alone, what makes the Satsuki Festival distinctive is the exhibition of flowering bonsai.
The harmonious appearance of the bonsai accented by spring flowers is breathtakingly beautiful. The sight of rows of bonsai lined up creates an exciting display, like miniature concentrated versions of spring arranged side by side. The Yanaka Event May 2026 is expected to draw a large audience of both local enthusiasts and international tourists.
Information:
- Schedule: Undetermined as of Jarnuary 1, 2026 (In 2025, likely May 15-19)
- Access:
3-minute walk from JR "Ueno Station"
3-minute walk from Keisei "Keisei-Ueno Station"
3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro "Ueno Station"
- Admission: Free
- Website: http://www.satsukikyokai.or.jp/index.html
Even first-time visitors can fully enjoy Tokyo's retro towns by using tours with local guides!
So far, we've introduced many recommended events in Yanaka Ginza, Asakusa, and Ueno. You've likely come to understand how many attractive events there are.
These three areas are charming not just for their events but for the neighborhoods themselves. Next, we'll introduce three tours that allow you to enjoy every corner of each area's attractions. All tours are led by local guides, so you can enjoy everything from standard tourist spots to behind-the-scenes stories not found in travel magazines.
By participating in these tours, even those visiting Japan or Tokyo for the first time can fully enjoy Tokyo's retro towns.
Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town
The "Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town" is a 3.5-hour walking tour exploring "Yanaka," a popular area with old-fashioned streetscapes untouched by redevelopment. This comprehensive tour includes visiting the historic Yanaka Shrine, food-hopping in Yanaka Ginza shopping street, and experiencing painting cat figurines.
On this tour, the guide will share many local insider stories, and you'll also walk through residential areas. The attractive point of this tour is feeling like you've blended into the local community. This is a highlight of the Yanaka Event May 2026 season that many audience members find particularly authentic and memorable.
Information:
- Meeting point: Outside of Tokyo Metro Nezu Station Exit 1
- Tour area: Yanaka
- Start time: 13:30
Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
"Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour" is a 3-hour tour where you can fully enjoy "Asakusa," a town that preserves the old downtown atmosphere of Tokyo, famous for landmarks like "Kaminarimon Gate." During this tour, you'll explore Asakusa's main streets while enjoying light meals.
The appeal of this tour is not just sightseeing but also the "experiences" it offers. For lunch, you can cook and eat okonomiyaki or monjayaki yourself, and you can even make and drink matcha tea on your own.
You'll especially learn about Japanese etiquette for matcha. This tour is recommended for those who find merely looking around insufficient. This May 2026, Yanaka Event participants who join this tour will receive special cultural insights, making it perfect for audiences seeking authentic experiences beyond typical tourist attractions.
Information:
- Meeting point: In front of Kaminarimon Police Box, Senso-ji
- Tour area: Asakusa
- Start time: 11:00
All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno
"All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno" is a night tour to enjoy the evening and dining in "Ueno," a district where nature, art, and culture all come together. On this tour, you can visit three carefully selected izakaya (Japanese pubs) chosen by local tour guides and thoroughly enjoy drinks and Japanese cuisine that pairs well with alcohol.
During this tour, you can enjoy your favorite dishes and drinks to your heart's content while referring to the guide's food recommendations. You can also become more familiar with Japanese cuisine and izakaya culture while listening to the guide's explanations. This tour is recommended for those interested in Japanese food culture. The tour will feature special connections to the upcoming Yanaka Event in May 2026, giving tourists unique insights into local traditions.
Information:
- Meeting point: In front of Ueno Object, Hirokoji Exit, Ueno Station
- Tour area: Ueno
- Start time: 18:00
