(Atsugi Ayu Matsuri)
While Japan’s scorching summer days continue in the Kanto Plain, the season offers many activities for you to get your mind off the heat.
This time of year is when Japanese students are out enjoying their summer vacations, so you can expect a lot of fun things to do.
Bon Odori (PH3(AW) Joshua. C. Millage)
Ebina Summer Festival 2024 (near Zama), July 27
This exciting summer festival offers bon odori dancing, live music and other stage performances, along with traditional Japanese games and various festive foods near Camp Zama. Prior to the event, 50 dancers in yukata summer kimono dress will parade while dancing on the pedestrian deck of JR Ebina Station from 4 p.m.
Location: Ebina Central Park, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: July 27, 5:30 – 8 p.m. (pre-event of stage performances at Vinawalk: 3 – 5 p.m.)
Atsugi Ayu Matsuri (Atsugi), Aug. 3-4
(Atsugi Ayu Matsuri)
One of the largest fireworks events in the Kanto takes place at the Atsugi Ayu Festival. The impressive display features 10,000 sequenced fireworks that form shapes like chrysanthemums and peonies and includes a dramatic finale of a 656-foot-high “Niagara Falls” fireworks cascade.
The two-day festival is the city’s largest annual event and features a parade, dance contest, bon odori and more. On the first night (Aug. 3), fireworks are launched from the middle of the river. The best viewpoints are along the river, but can also be enjoyed from Hon Atsugi. On the night of the event, streets from Hon Atsugi Station to the Sagami River are filled with countless food and game booths.
Location: Sagami Riverbank, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Pref.
Hours: Aug. 3, 1 – 8 p.m.; Aug. 4, 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Zama Sunflower Festival, Aug. 10-13
Zama Sunflower (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi)
Zama is known for its beautiful summer sunflowers. The beauties reach peak bloom around mid-August, but the Zama Sunflower Festival on Aug. 10-13 is a great place to enjoy the sprawling flower fields. At booths installed around the field, you can buy sunflowers and local vegetables. Test your ability at the hand-catching trout event running Aug. 10 -11 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Zama and Yotsuya Districts of Zama City, Kanagawa Pref.
Hours: Aug. 10 – 13, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Enoshima Toro Lanterns 2024 (Near Zama and Yokosuka), through Aug. 31
(Enoshima Toro Lanterns)
(Enoshima Toro Lanterns)
Behold the beautifully illuminated Enoshima Island as 1,000 toro lanterns are displayed through the summer. The island is just off Shonan Beach and during the season, Enoshima Jinja (Zuishin Gate and its three shrines), Samuel Cocking Garden, the Sea Candle, Iwaya Cave and other locations will be lit up from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Visitors in yukata or jinbei outfits will receive an original tenugui towel at the garden entrance.
Location: Enoshima Island, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Pref.
Hours: Through Aug. 31, 6 – 8 :30 p.m. (Aug 12 – 16, - 9 p.m.)
Tokyo Nihonbashi Mone & Friends Alive (near Hardy Barracks), through Sept. 29
(Tokyo Nihonbashi Mone & Friends Alive)
Monet and Friends Alive is a unique immersive art event in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi District. Head indoors to enjoy the projected artworks from the masters of French Impressionists, such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cezanne and Edgar Degas on vast screens using cutting-edge immersive technology. Classical music, scents and comfy seating create an environment that truly engages all the senses.
Location: Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, Coredo Muromachi 1, 4F, 2-2-1 Nihonbashi Murocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Through Sept. 29, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission: Adults 3,000 yen, high school and college students 2,000 yen, middle and elementary school students 1,000 yen
