Japan Hobby Show
Get ready to unleash your creativity at this three day event that showcases Japanese artistry, craft and hobby making skills. You’ll have the opportunity to attend sewing, knitting and papercraft workshops and to meet hundreds of exhibitors selling unique handmade goods.
Visit the show at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba from the 8th to the 10th of May, from 10 am to 4 pm.
Kanda Festival
This Shintō shrine holds one of Tokyo’s greatest matsuris (festivals) with priests, dressed in ceremonial robes, leading a procession within the grounds to celebrate good fortune and prosperity.
Expect offerings of food and drink, colourful performances by shrine maidens, and the recitation of prayers throughout the day.
The festival takes place at the Kanda Myojin Shrine in Akihabara on the 15th of May, from 2 pm.
Sanja Festival
Join nearly two million people enjoying this boisterous three-day festival in and around Asakusa Shrine.
The Sanja Matsuri (festival) features around 100 mikoshi (a portable mini shrine that houses a god) carried through nearby suburbs to bless businesses and residents.
What makes this celebration so enjoyable is the accompaniment of musicians and dancers, as well as street food and sake stalls.
The activities start around the Asakusa Shrine in Asakusa from the 15th to the 17th of May, starting at 9 am daily.
Grand Sumo Tournament
Witness a world of ancient rituals, extraordinary strength and big men in small loincloths at Ryōgoku Kokugikan—Tokyo’s only site-specific sumo stadium—this May.
Although sumo is an all-day affair, the high division matches take place in the afternoon from 4 pm when the top rikishi (wrestlers) enter the dohyo (ring) and the most exciting bouts begin.
To better understand all the shoving and grappling, we recommend hiring a radio that provides English commentary.
The tournament is held at Tokyo’s purpose-built sumo stadium Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Sumida from the 10th to the 24th of May.
Tokyo Night Market
Inspired by the famous night markets of Thailand and Vietnam, this event brings together delicious street food, live music, and local crafts, in Yoyogi Park.
Expect art exhibits and live musical performances, DJs from Shibuya’s best nightclubs as well as food trucks and clothing stalls.
The market takes place in Yoyogi Park in Harajuku from the 20th to the 24th of May, from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Design Festa
If you’re interested in seeing and purchasing contemporary Japanese creative arts—think handmade jewellery, cute ceramics and affordable paintings—then Design Festa, featuring upwards of 6,500 exhibitors, is where you want to be this weekend.
As well as all the unique arts and crafts for sale there are live painting events, dance and musical performances and hundreds of visitors dressed up in magnificent kawaii (cute) outfits.
Head to the Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba on the 23rd and 24th of May, from 10 am to 6 pm.
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