What's On & Upcoming Events in Japan
Check out the most up-to-date listings of what's going on in Japan right now or in the near future, including fun activities, art exhibitions, festivals, parties, food markets, flea markets, sporting events, fairs, concerts, and more.
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MYSTERY OF TUTANKHAMUN: An Immersive Ancient Egypt Exhibition
An immersive exhibition delving into the mysteries of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. Visitors can explore around 130 life-size super replicas of burial items found in his tomb, a remarkably realistic recreation of the tomb itself—including its dimensions, wall paintings, and even mold patterns—as well as projection mapping that traces the life of Tutankhamun. The exhibition also features a hologram created using a 3D scan of the actual golden mask. This unique experience combines both analog and digital elements to bring ancient Egypt vividly to life.。 https://tutankhamen.jp/
Joan Miró
A major retrospective of Joan Miró, known for his unique and emotionally rich style, is being held. Considered one of the leading masters of the 20th century alongside Pablo Picasso, this exhibition offers a comprehensive look at Miró’s art, showcasing works from various periods, including his iconic "Constellations" series. The exhibition features three pieces from the "Constellations" series, along with paintings, ceramics, and sculptures representing each stage of his career, highlighting his continuous exploration of new forms of expression up to the age of 90. Masterpieces from Miró’s key periods will be gathered from around the world. https://miro2025.exhibit.jp/en/
Special Exhibition for the 80th Anniversary of the Air Raids: "The Osaka Air Raids – Memories from 80 Years Ago"
We must not let the memories of war fade away. From 1944 (Showa 19), Osaka experienced more than 50 air raids. Survivors of these bombings have preserved their memories in the form of testimonies and experience-based paintings, hoping to pass them on to future generations. These words and drawings, created by the survivors themselves, vividly bring back the horrors of the air raids, even after 80 years. This special exhibition presents personal testimonies from those who lived through the bombings, alongside paintings related to their accounts. https://www.peace-osaka.or.jp/sys/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/e7435a45315b5874de328f9d13200203-3-1.pdf
Special Exhibition Featuring Creatures of the Night and Darkness
This special exhibition focuses on animals that are active in the middle of the night or in complete darkness. Around 20 species that thrive in dark environments are introduced under three categories: Nocturnal, Cave-dwelling, and Bioluminescent. The exhibition space is dimly lit, creating the atmosphere of exploring a nighttime forest or the depths of the ocean. Visitors can observe the behavior of nocturnal animals—usually asleep during the day—as well as creatures that glow in the dark. One highlight is a “peephole” where visitors can view the luminous splendid flashlight fish (Anomalops katoptron) using its light organ in darkness. Original merchandise featuring the animals in the exhibit will also be available for purchase. https://sunshinecity.jp/file/aquarium/mayonaka/
Tokyo Tower Highball Garden 2025
Enjoy top-quality highballs and delicious food that pairs perfectly with them at this gourmet event held at two outdoor areas beneath Tokyo Tower. In front of the Main Entrance on the 1st floor, the “TOKYO TOWER HIGHBALL GARDEN ‘CHO-TEN’” offers a chic, Japanese-modern atmosphere with lantern decorations. Guests can casually enjoy a wide variety of food and Suntory-certified “CHO-TEN” highballs. On the rooftop of FootTown, the “TOKYO TOWER HIGHBALL GARDEN ‘ROOF TOP’” features all-you-can-drink highballs and all-you-can-eat Genghis Khan BBQ from Mother Farm. https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/event/highballgarden2025/
European Attire – Focusing on the 19th to 20th Century
This exhibition showcases items from the POLA Cultural Research Institute's collection related to beauty and adornment in Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries, including cosmetics tools and accessories. As European society underwent modernization following the technological innovations of the Industrial Revolution, the beauty field also saw the emergence of cosmetics and techniques that directly connect to modern makeup. On display are delicate glass makeup sets, compact cases with built-in music boxes, and other items once used by women of the time, offering a glimpse into their daily lives and aesthetic culture. https://www.cosmetic-culture.po-holdings.co.jp/gallery/artandbooks/2025/03/event004/
Suntory Building Rooftop Beer Garden
Enjoy a lively beer garden held on the rooftop of the Suntory Building. The hearty set menu includes BBQ items such as meat and seafood, assorted appetizers, ajillo (garlic shrimp), grilled vegetables, beef curry, and seasonal dishes. All-you-can-drink options feature a wide variety of Suntory beverages, including The Premium Malt's, Suntory draft beers, and SUI — a refreshing and crisp gin unique to Suntory. Non-alcoholic options like All-Free are also available in abundance. https://www.dynac-japan.com/shop/beergarden/dojima/
Special Exhibition WASHOKU: Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine in Kyoto
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Washoku's inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the National Museum of Nature and Science will present the special exhibition of Washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine). This exhibition aims to introduce Washoku, which is attracting increasing attention around the world, from various perspectives including science and history, through a diverse range of specimens and exhibits. https://washoku2023.exhibit.jp/en.html
Summer River Picnic: A Cool and Unique Experience
Did you know you can enjoy a refreshing summer outing right in the heart of Osaka? Imagine a floating picnic on a boat that resembles a traditional tea room, gently drifting along the river. You’re free to bring your own food and drinks, making it perfect for casual snacking, playing games, taking a nap, or even throwing a surprise party. This summer, why not enjoy an outdoor experience like no other—right in the city? https://www.citysup.jp/picnic-sum/
Emulation and Admiration: Two Stories of Collecting European Art European Master Paintings in Kyoto
This exhibition brings together approximately 90 paintings from the collections of the San Diego Museum of Art, which houses some of the earliest Western paintings collected on the U.S. West Coast, and the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo, which has the only systematic collection of Western paintings in East Asia. The exhibition traces the history of Western art over 600 years, from the Renaissance to 19th-century Impressionism, with a focus on how to enjoy and appreciate the artworks. Related pieces are displayed in pairs or small groups for comparison, allowing visitors to explore the stories behind the paintings from various perspectives. https://art.nikkei.com/dokomiru/en/
NARUTO Shippuden Shinobi Scout Caravan
For fans of the world-famous anime “Naruto Shippuden,” this is an event not to be missed. There, visitors can enjoy a variety of ninja experiences through attractions and photo spots, immersing themselves in the world of “Naruto Shippuden”. Furthermore, goods such as T-shirts, towels, etc., will be available for purchase.For information on the event, please check the link below.https://naruto-scout.jp/ (Japanese)
Unraveling the Mysteries of Ancient EGYPT from Brooklyn Museum in Aichi
An exhibition showcasing a selection of masterpieces from the Brooklyn Museum's renowned Ancient Egyptian collection. Around 150 artifacts, including sculptures, coffins, jewelry, pottery, papyrus, and even human and cat mummies, offer a glimpse into the lives of the people who created this advanced culture. The exhibition also features the latest research on pyramid exploration, conducted by Egyptologist Yukinori Kawae, revealing new findings about the daily lives of ancient Egyptians. Visitors can explore these discoveries, including overlooked facts from past Egypt exhibitions, through multimedia presentations that combine images, sounds, and cutting-edge pyramid research techniques. https://egypt-brooklyn.exhibit.jp/en/
Leo Lionni: The Art of Picture Book Making
This exhibition celebrates the work of Leo Lionni, a master of picture books known for beloved classics such as Swimmy and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Active in a wide range of fields including graphic design, art direction, and picture book creation, Lionni is spotlighted here for his contributions to children's literature. Focusing on his picture books, the exhibition delves into his creative techniques such as collage, exploring the process behind his storytelling. In addition to original illustrations, visitors can immerse themselves in the world of Leo Lionni through various media, gaining insight into the messages he conveyed through his picture books. https://www.bunkamura.co.jp/museum/exhibition/25_leolionni/
Mizudome-no-mai 2025
This year’s Mizudome-no-Mai will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2025.The starting point will be at the intersection in front of Omori Daiichi Elementary School in Ota City. This traditional performing art has a history of about 700 years and is even included in the local elementary school curriculum. We hope you will come and enjoy it with your family and friends. The origin of Mizudome-no-Mai dates back to 1321 (Genko 1). At that time, the Musashi region (around today’s Kanto area) suffered a severe drought. The second head priest, Homitsu Shonin, made a dragon figure out of straw and prayed for rain, which was successful. However, two years later, continuous heavy rain caused damage to the fields. Some people blamed the previous rain ritual, so the priest made three lion masks named “Shishi” (meaning “Mizudome”) and had the farmers wear them and dance while beating drums and blowing conch shells to pray for the rain to stop. When the rain finally stopped, people continued this dance to show their gratitude — and that is how Mizudome-no-Mai began.
Edo☆Ōoku
The “Edo☆Ōoku” exhibition will be held at the Tokyo National Museum from July 2025. Visitors can explore the world of the Ōoku through kabuki costumes, elegant kimono, embroidery, and historical illustrations. https://ooku2025.jp/index.html#highlight
Special Exhibition WASHOKU: Nature and Culture in Japanese Cuisine in Kumamoto
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Washoku's inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the National Museum of Nature and Science will present the special exhibition of Washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine). This exhibition aims to introduce Washoku, which is attracting increasing attention around the world, from various perspectives including science and history, through a diverse range of specimens and exhibits. https://washoku2023.exhibit.jp/en.html
Chichibu Kawase Festival
The Chichibu Kawase Festival is held every year on July 19 and 20. It is the summer festival of Chichibu Shrine. People also call it "O-Gion" in Chichibu. It is the counterpart to the famous Chichibu Night Festival in winter. The Kawase Festival is a daytime, summer, children’s festival, unlike the night festival which is for adults. On the evening of July 19, eight beautiful floats called Kasaboko and Yatai are pulled around the town with traditional music. At sunset, the floats gather at Chichibu Shrine for a ceremony called "Tenno Hashira Tate," which welcomes the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto. The shrine is lit up by lanterns, creating a magical atmosphere. On July 20, the floats are pulled through the streets from morning. Around noon, they gather again at the shrine. After that, the procession moves to the river for the "Mikoshi Washing Ceremony," where a 400kg wooden portable shrine is washed in the clear waters of the Arakawa River. In the evening, the floats are pulled again along the main street. Highlights include the passing and separating of the floats. https://navi.city.chichibu.lg.jp/p_festival/1273/
Hakusan Kokusai Taiko Extasia
Taiko Extasia brings together taiko drummers from all over Japan in a spectacular performance. It began in 1993 as an outdoor taiko concert called “Ikkoku Ikkyosai,” held with the aim of exploring the possibilities of taiko as a performing art. The event was later renamed “Taiko Extasia” and has since become an annual tradition. Celebrated as a premier event where audiences can enjoy taiko performances from regions across Japan, it continues to attract many devoted fans each year. https://taiko.or.jp/extasia/#top
Shibuya Waon Matsuri
Livepocket: https://t.livepocket.jp/e/0yurw Twitcasting: https://twitcasting.tv/shibuyatakeoff7/shopcart/380433
Kibune Festival
The Kifune Festival is the annual grand festival of Kifune Shrine in Manazuru Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a boat festival. Decorated boats with flowers and streamers, and mikoshi boats, are pulled by rowboats for a ritual parade on the sea. The festival was designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Kanagawa Prefecture in 1958 and as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1996. Together with the Kangen Festival at Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima and the Shiogama Minato Festival in Miyagi, it is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Boat Festivals. https://kibunematsuri.jp/
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