Great news for everyone staying in Tokyo during this 10-day-long Golden Week: there are plenty of events to keep you entertained no matter what your hobbies are. From stunning flower festivals to musicals and classical ballet to all-you-can-eat food and sweets events and international festivals, Tokyo will be steaming hot over the holidays! Here are our 10 picks of the best events for the whole Golden Week!
Run With The World
Online Event: Wings For Life
Download the Wings for Life World Run App and start running with thousands of people around the world at the exact same time. You'll run as far as you can until the Catcher Car passes you. And you'll be doing all that running not only for yourself but for a good cause. 100% of your starting fees goes into spinal cord research and will help to find a cure for spinal cord injury. If you want to run with others a course will be set up in Jingu Gaien starting in front of the Meiji Memorial picture gallery with drink stations and first aid.
Date: SUN, MAY 8, 2022
Time: FROM 8 P.M. (11 A.M. UTC)
Location: ANYWHERE OR Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, 1-1 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo - Map
Fee: ¥2,700
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS
Purple Canopy
Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival
Every year around this time, Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto Ward attracts thousands of visitors when its famous cascades of hanging purple wisteria (fuji) come to full bloom offering one of the most picturesque sceneries in central Tokyo. Apart from admiring the beautiful flowers, with hourly mini events, the festival is also a great place to enjoy vibrant cultural activities and the regular matsuri food stalls.
Date: NOW THROUGH FIRST WEEK OF MAY
Time: 9 A.M. - 4 P.M.
Location: KAMEIDO TENJIN SHRINE, 3-6-1 KAMEIDO, KOTO-KU, TOKYO - Map
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Families, Couples, Friends, Tourists, Instagrammers, Flower photographers, Solo dates
All These Flowers!
Showa Memorial Park Flower Map
The Tachikawa’s Showa Memorial Park is currently hosting the annual Flower Festival, which includes thousands of beautiful tulips and other colorful spring flowers of all kinds. It's the perfect venue to escape from the crowds of Tokyo and enjoy a slow day in the park. From flower viewing to water play, this park is heaven for family outings!
Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, MAY 22, 2022
Time: 9:30 A.M.-5 P.M.
Location: SHOWA MEMORIAL PARK, 3173 MIDORI-CHO, TACHIKAWA-SHI, TOKYO - Map
Fee: ¥450 (ADULTS)
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, INSTAGRAMMERS, FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHERS, SOLO DATES
Saturday In The Park
Tokyo Midtown: Open The Park
Soak up the sun at Tokyo Midtown's annual spring Open The Park event, a series of relaxed and fun open-air activities. On the agenda this year is a stunning decoration of some immense koi-nobori by 112 artists, a Street Art Museum, koinobori workshops for the kids, opportunities to read at the outdoor library, a Hawaii-inspired cafe and more. Grab your picnic basket and spend a day at the park!
Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, MAY. 29, 2022
Time: VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)
Location: Tokyo Midtown GRASS SQUARE, 9-7-1 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU, TOKYO - Map
Fee: FREE ENTRY
Info: Recommended for: Families, Friends, Art lovers, People who want to chill in the park
An All-Time Favorite
Classical Ballet: Cinderella
Japan's New National Theather presents a special Golden Week-limited edition of the much-loved repertoire of the National Ballet of Japan. Choreographed by Frederic Ashton and with music by Sergei Prokofief, this elegant and playful repertoire adds a new, modern feeling to our favorite fairy tale. If you've been longing to see something classical yet fresh recently, this is your event!
Date: NOW THROUGH THU, MAY 5, 2022
Time: From 2 p.m. (The show runs for about 2.5 hrs)
Location: THE NEW NATIONAL THEATRE, OPERA HOUSE, 1-1-1, HON-MACHI, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO - Map
Fee: ¥1,620-¥12,960
Info: Recommended for: Solo dates, Couples, Mom & Daughter Dates, People who love ballet
Beer, Sausages, And Fun
Yokohama Frühlings Fest 2022
Frühlingfest is a German festival, held to welcome spring. Come taste over 200 kinds of German food and beer, see great performances, enjoy an outdoor anime viewing and other fun events with the kids, in addition to buying yourself some unique German omiyage for back home.
Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, MAY 8, 2022
Time: 11 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: YOKOHAMA RED BRICK WAREHOUSE, 1-1 SHINKO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA - Map
Fee: Free entry
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: Foodies, Friends, Families & Kids, Beer Lovers, COUPLES
Spring Festival
Tokyo Tower Taiwan Festival 2022
Held to celebrate the Chinese New Year, for three days only, Tokyo Tower will be physically transformed into a mini Taiwan, inviting visitors to explore the region's best in food, culture and arts. Expect exciting performances, amazing food, drinks and numerous festive events!
Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, MAY 8, 2022
Time: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Tokyo Tower Outdoor Event Space, 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo - Map
Fee: ¥800
Info: Recommended for: Families, Couples, Friends, Foodies, Instagrammers, People who love Taiwan
Cultural Celebrations
Cambodia Festival 2022
The largest Cambodian festival in Japan, this event features everything from the country's delicious food to souvenir markets and traditional live performances such as Khmer classical dance.
Date: Tue, May 3-Wed, May 4, 2022
Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location: YOYOGI PARK, 2-1 YOYOGIKAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO - Map
Fee: Free entry
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, Foodies
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Musical: Mary Poppins
Everyone's favorite wonderwoman nanny takes the stage in this Japanese adaptation of the famous Broadway musical Mary Poppins. Come and sing along with the cast of this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure.
Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, MAY 8, 2022
Time: Various. See website
Location: Tokyu Theatre Orb, Shibuya Hikarie 11th Floor 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo - Map
Fee: ¥4,500-¥14,000
Info: Recommended for: Families, Friends, Couples, Musical lovers
Avoid The Crowds
More Socially Distanced Things To Do This Golden Week
If you plan well and visit the off-the-beaten tracks Tokyo and its suburbs pride themselves for, you’ll certainly make the best out of your holiday while keeping socially distanced away from corona! Here is a list of Savvy Tokyo-recommended off-the-beaten-track spots and things to do in the wide Kanto area during this Golden Week. See link.
Date: WHENEVER YOU WANT
Time: ANY TIME
Location: VARIED
Fee: VARIED
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: EVERYONE
What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re organizing a fun or interesting online event, or you know someone who is,contact usto get it listed!
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