Yanaka in August 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
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 2025 to incorporate my findings from this research, along with the latest information for 2025.
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 August, Tokyo enters the peak of summer, becoming not only hot but also increasingly humid, making the heat index continuously rise. Despite this climate, Tokyo bustles with summer events throughout the city, attracting crowds daily.
Among these, the Yanaka district in Tokyo hosts various summer-themed events in August 2025. Yanaka is characterized by an atmosphere that evokes old Japan, making it a highly recommended area for walking tours.
This article explains basic information about Yanaka, the timing of festivals held there, and detailed access to the festival venues.
The Biggest August Event in Yanaka 2025: The Annual "Hyakkoi Festival"
Source:Junhyo Official Facebook
Every year in August, the Hyakkoi Festival in Yanaka becomes a popular attraction drawing large crowds. "Hyakkoi" means "cold" in the regional dialect used in Tohoku and other areas, and on the day of the festival, numerous events that create a cooling sensation are held.
The Hyakkoi Festival, held in the scorching heat of Tokyo, is an enchanting celebration where visitors can experience refreshing sensations during the hot summer. Let's explore what you can enjoy at the Hyakkoi Festival.
Enjoy Various "ICE" Exhibits
Source:Junhyo Official Facebook
A distinctive feature of the Hyakkoi Festival in Yanaka is the variety of "ICE" exhibits you can enjoy. The "Icicle" displays created by local ice shops are especially popular, providing coolness to festival visitors.
At the venue in Yanaka Ginza, you'll find various styles of icicles. These include artistically created icicles with summer flowers and toys embedded inside, and unique stalls selling beverages submerged in cooler box-shaped ice. Each exhibit is unique and offers a refreshing experience.
Additionally, there are ice sculpture demonstrations and many other attractions worth seeing.
Enjoy Traditional Japanese Summer Sweets and Trendy Treats
Source:Junhyo Official Facebook
Beyond the icicle exhibits, another attraction of the Hyakkoi Festival is the opportunity to enjoy traditional Japanese summer sweets and seasonal trendy treats. Particularly recommended is shaved ice, which consists of finely shaved ice topped with syrup or fruit-flavored sweet sauces.
Ice cream and gelato shops are also appealing, offering a variety of flavors. The shops' exteriors maintain Yanaka's traditional wooden architecture, allowing you to enjoy your ice cream in a tranquil atmosphere.
August in Tokyo is the hottest season of the year, making it perfect for enjoying shaved ice and ice cream. When you visit Yanaka during the August 2025 events, be sure to indulge in these cooling sweets.
Must-See Events in August 2025 Around Yanaka
Yanaka Encho Festival
Source:TAITO Odekake Navi
In August 2025, Zenshoan temple in Yanaka will host a festival called Enchomatsuri. This annual Event commemorates Sanyutei Encho, a famous Rakugo storyteller who specialized in ghost stories and human interest tales.
During the Event, Ghost Paintings that Encho himself referenced when creating his Rakugo ghost stories will be displayed to the public. The ghosts depicted in these paintings are so powerful they almost seem real—a truly spectacular experience for visitors to Yanaka.
These Ghost Paintings employ one of the most difficult techniques in Japanese art, with incredibly detailed brushwork that will fascinate you. If you have the opportunity to visit Zenshoan during your August 2025 trip to Yanaka, you'll definitely want to experience this wonder firsthand.
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- Dates: August 1-31, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Sendagi Station on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://zenshoan.com/
Suwa Shrine Annual Festival
source:Wikipedia
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If you're visiting Yanaka in late August 2025, you should check out the Annual Festival at Suwa Shrine near Nishinippori Station. This three-day Event features vibrant festivities—though the final day (Taisai) is only for shrine officials, the first two days offer lively fairs and parades with portable shrines carried by children that draw many visitors to Yanaka.
In addition to children's portable shrines, Taiko Floats also parade through the streets alongside the portable shrines, adding color to summer in Yanaka. This festival is also famous for its giant Miya Portable shrine that parades through the streets once every three years.
Suwa Shrine itself offers a pleasant atmosphere filled with beautiful greenery, making it worth visiting even for a casual stroll during your August 2025 tour of Yanaka.
Information:
- Dates: Late August 2025
- Access: 3-minute walk from JR and Tokyo Metro Nishi-Nippori Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://suwajinja.r-cms.jp/
Sumida River Floating Lanterns
source:Sumida Keizai Shimbun
Every August, the Sumida River flowing near Asakusa hosts the enchanting Floating Lanterns Event. This ceremony commemorates the spirits of those who died in Asakusa and in disasters. During this special Event in August 2025, candles are placed inside lanterns which are then set afloat on the Sumida River.
The illuminated lanterns drifting on the quiet nighttime Sumida River create a magical scene of such beauty that visitors to Yanaka will certainly be captivated. You can purchase your own floating lantern at the Asakusa Tourist Center and write personal wishes on it before releasing it onto the river.
What makes this August 2025 Event particularly appealing is that you can both witness the tranquil, magical atmosphere and actively participate in this traditional Japanese festival near Yanaka.
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- Date: August 16, 2025
- Access: 8-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, Tobu Railway)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://e-asakusa.jp/culture-experience/99406
Make Your Yanaka Sightseeing Much More Enjoyable! A Tour Guided by Experts Who Know the Yanaka Area Inside Out
The Yanaka Historical Walking Tour allows you to explore the Yanaka area where many historic townscapes remain preserved. This August 2025 Event is perfect for tourists who want to experience traditional Japan, as the tour takes you through shrines, old-style cafes, and historic shopping streets.
The tour begins at Nezu Shrine where you'll learn about traditional Japanese religious perspectives from your guide. Afterward, you'll visit a charming traditional house-turned-cafe where you can paint your own "Beckoning cat" figurine in your favorite colors—creating a wonderful memento of your August 2025 visit to Yanaka.
Following this, you'll stroll through the local shopping district and enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at a restaurant. I personally rediscovered the beauty of Japanese culture through this tour, so I highly recommend it to any tourist wanting to experience traditional Japanese scenery during their August 2025 visit to Yanaka.
- Meeting Point: Outside Exit 1 of Tokyo Metro Nezu Station
- Tour Area: Nezu, Yanaka
- Start Time: 13:30
5 Traditional Japanese Cultural Events Recommended for Visitors to Yanaka!
As you plan your trip to Yanaka in August 2025, these cultural events will give you a perfect opportunity to experience Japan's rich traditions and unique culture. Yanaka, with its historic temples and traditional atmosphere, serves as an ideal base for exploring these exciting Tokyo events!
Tsukiji Honganji Bon Dance Festival
Source:PR TIMES
The Tsukiji Honganji Bon Dance Festival is an annual festival held in July at Tsukiji Honganji, near Tsukiji Market. A large scaffold is erected in the temple grounds, and participants gather around it to join in the lively Bon Odori dance.
The biggest attraction of this festival is the food stalls set up in the Tsukiji Honganji grounds. Due to the proximity of the famous Tsukiji Market fish market, many renowned Tsukiji restaurants set up stalls, attracting large crowds.
Tsukiji Honganji has an information center, and the rooftop is open as a beer garden, allowing you to enjoy delicious beer while viewing the beautiful temple grounds.
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- Dates: July 23-26, 2025
- Access: Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://tsukijihongwanji.jp/
Kanda Shrine Anime Bon Odori Dance
Source:Official website
At Kanda Shrine in Kanda, an event called Anime Bon Odori Dance is held every August.
Since Kanda Shrine is close to Akihabara, known as the holy land of anime, they hold a Bon Odori that arranges old and new anime songs in Bon Odori style. This has become a regular event after gaining media attention.
This event welcomes participants of all ages, and there are dance instructions provided by guide dancers on the day, so don't worry if you're not confident in your dancing abilities. The songs are all famous anime tunes like Doraemon and Dragon Ball, making it perfect for anime enthusiasts.
If you're staying in the Yanaka area during August 2025 and want to casually enjoy a Japanese summer festival, this is definitely worth attending.
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- Dates: August 8-10, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from JR and Tokyo Metro Ochanomizu Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/
Kōtō Fireworks Festival
Source:Official website
The Kōtō Fireworks Festival is a spectacular display held every August at the Arakawa River in Tokyo's Kōtō Ward. It's a fireworks festival with nearly 40 years of history, started with the wish for the development of the Sunamachi District where the venue is located.
What makes this event special is that the launch site and audience areas are relatively close, allowing visitors to experience powerful fireworks with intense sounds. The fireworks are launched from barges floating on the Arakawa River, with approximately 6,000 fireworks creating a truly breathtaking spectacle.
There are also paid seating options at the venue, which are recommended for those who want an even better view of the fireworks. This is a must-see event during your August 2025 visit to Yanaka and surrounding Tokyo areas.
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- Date: August 11, 2025
- Access: 13-minute walk from Higashi-Ojima Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://koto-hanabi.com/
Harajuku Omotesandō Genki Festival Super Yosakoi
Source:Official website
In Omotesandō, known as a fashion district, a large-scale Yosakoi festival is held every August. Yosakoi is a dance that originated in Kochi, Shikoku, and is now performed throughout the country as a beloved summer tradition.
The festival originally started as a dedication to Meiji Jingu near Omotesandō, and during the event, numerous dancers fill the streets of Omotesandō. Participants gather from all over the country, transforming the usually sophisticated Omotesandō area into a place with a unique festive atmosphere.
The festival's concept is to energize people, and it has succeeded in bringing joy to countless visitors over the years. From your Yanaka accommodation, this vibrant August 2025 event is easily accessible and offers a perfect contrast to the more traditional atmosphere of Yanaka itself.
<Information>
- Dates: August 23-24, 2025
- Access: 10-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station, immediately from Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.super-yosakoi.tokyo/
Kōenji Awa Odori Festival
Source:Official website
The Kōenji Awa Odori Festival is an exciting traditional dance event held annually in August in Kōenji, Tokyo. Awa Odori is a dance form that originated in Tokushima, Shikoku, and has been celebrated in Kōenji since 1957 to bring vibrancy to the neighborhood.
The venue spans the main street between Kōenji Station and Shin-Koenji Station, where Awa Odori enthusiasts from all over Tokyo gather. Now recognized as one of Japan's premier Awa Odori events, approximately 11,000 dancers participate during the festival days. Similar to other cultural events happening in the artistic Yanaka district in August 2025, this festival showcases Japan's rich cultural heritage.
This iconic event has become an established highlight in Kōenji's calendar, with dancers demonstrating incredible skill that has earned recognition both domestically and internationally. When visiting Tokyo in August 2025, be sure to experience the tremendous energy of the Awa Odori in Kōenji.
<Information>
- Dates: August 23-24, 2025
- Access: Immediately accessible on foot from JR Kōenji Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.koenji-awaodori.com/
Touring with a local guide who is familiar with Japanese traditions and culture makes sightseeing twice as enjoyable!
If you want to enhance your Tokyo sightseeing experience, exploring with a local guide knowledgeable about Japanese traditions and culture will make your adventure twice as rewarding. After enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Kōenji, consider visiting the historical Yanaka area, known for its preserved traditional architecture and numerous cultural events throughout August 2025.
Below are some guided tours where you can learn about Japanese traditions and culture—perfect references for those planning to visit Tokyo.
Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
The Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour is a 3-hour experience where you'll discover Japanese history and traditions while exploring the popular tourist destination of Asakusa. First, you'll visit Sensoji Temple, followed by enjoying sweet, high-quality matcha in a tranquil Japanese-style room.
The tour concludes with a visit to Asakusa's back streets where you'll taste Monjayaki, a beloved local dish. Though brief, this tour is ideal for visitors wanting an immersive Japanese cultural experience.
- Meeting Point: In front of the Asakusa Kaminarimon Police Box
- Tour Area: Asakusa
- Start Time: 11:00 AM
All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno
This tour lets you drink like a local while bar hopping in Ueno, an area lined with popular izakayas. The tour begins at a bustling food stall street in Ueno where you'll enjoy distinctly Japanese izakaya dishes such as Yakitori and Kushikatsu.
You'll experience "nomihōdai," a uniquely Japanese all-you-can-drink system within a set timeframe. The tour concludes with visits to restaurants including ramen shops, making it perfect for those wanting to fully indulge in Japanese food and drink culture.
- Meeting Point: In front of the Ueno object near the Hirokoji exit of Ueno Station
- Tour Area: Ueno
- Start Time: 18:00