Pola Museum of Art 20th Anniversary Exhibition
2022-04-09 09:00 - 2022-09-06 17:00 (Asia/Tokyo)
From April 9th until September 6th, 2022, the POLA Museum of Art will host an exhibition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the venue’s opening. The event will focus on new items in the museum’s collection, with works on display from renowned artists like Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and Gerhard Richter to name just a few.
The museum celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2022 (Photo: Rlbberlin / CC BY-SA 3.0)
At current estimates, around 120 works will be on display at the exhibition, which will cover various artistic mediums such as paintings, sculptures, and prints.
Art by Gerhard Richter will feature at the event (Photo: Pola Museum of Art)
Adult admission to the museum is priced at ¥ 1800. For more information about the venue, visit this article on Japan Travel.

Nitoyo Coast Rock Oyster Festival
2022-05-01 - 2022-08-31
The Nitoyo Coast stretches from the southern part of Oita Prefecture to the northern part of Miyazaki Prefecture, and it’s famous for one thing in particular – rock oysters. The oysters in this part of the country are nourished by mineral-rich seawater from the Kuroshio current and ultra-clean rainwater that flows from the region’s mountains, creating the conditions for larger, richer, and creamier oysters than in other locations. Now in its 6th year, the Nitoyo Coast Rock Oyster Festival celebrates the revered local delicacy, with several different restaurants in Saiki City, Nobeoka City, Kadogawa Town, and Hyuga City participating in the event. The 19 businesses involved can be found on the PDF flyer here (in Japanese), and there is a stamp rally with prizes available for those who dine at multiple stores during the event dates.

Umbrella Sky at Metsa Village
2022-05-15 - 2022-08-31
Metsa, comprising Metsa Village and Moomin Valley Park, is a Moomin theme park in rural Saitama. However, it can be reached from Tokyo in just over an hour by either public transport or by car. The Umbrella Sky Project is at the main entrance to the theme park. The Umbrella Sky Project at Metsa is called “Forest, Lake, and Umbrella”. At Entrance Road, the umbrellas are backdropped by a lush forest lined with stunning purple geraniums, but you can’t see the lake until after you have passed the umbrella display. The display is made up of 1000 umbrellas in varying shades of the rainbow. They cast beautiful colored shadows onto the footpath beneath. The footpath itself is painted in vibrant shades. Together they forge a breathtaking scene. There is also a smaller display of umbrellas in the Metsa Hall, a craft and workshop area with a view of Miyazawa lake. In 2019, the umbrellas in Metsa Hall are different from those at Entrance Road. They are umbrellas of different shapes and with varying patterns and motifs on them. During the event period in 2019, you could purchase a special limited edition rainbow cheesecake at Lagom, a Smørrebrød restaurant in the market hall. In 2020, information for the crafts and limited food is not yet available, but they are adding a new section of umbrella sky down by the lake. In 2020 the umbrella sky event is on twice as long as last year. They are currently planning to start on May 15th, but there may be changes due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The entrance road display will be available on July 26th and the lakeside umbrella sky will run until August 30th. The event is free and entrance into Metsa village is free. There is a cover charge to enter Moomin Valley Park. Parking is charged on weekends.

Kawaii Flea Market
2022-05-29 09:30 - 15:30 UTC | Kawaii Flea Market, Sunshine City, Ikebukuro, Japan
Taking place either in Nakano or Ikebukuro, this small flea market is punted at the ladies, though, in our experience, can be a good time for all genders. Check it out for previously-loved clothing, crafts, antiques, and all sorts of other “cute” stuff.
Note: These markets, especially the Nakano-Sakaue version, can be really quiet and underwhelming. As this one doesn’t always get much traffic, things might wrap up early.
On its better days, the market features stalls by independent artists and craftspeople, or live performances.
Please note, markets are sometimes cancelled due to weather or other circumstances. Markets may also be cancelled on short notice due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.
May 29: Sunshine City, Ikebukuro
July 3: Sunshine City, Ikebukuro
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many events have been canceled. Always check official sites before heading to an event.

Osaka Comic Con 2022
2022-06-01 - 2022-06-30
The enormously popular Tokyo Comic-Con (at least when it was last held in person at the end of 2019) has now sprouted a version for all the comic and celebrity fans of West Japan.
While Japan has manga and anime festivals, the emphasis is on the authors and artists. The western-style Comic Cons have a bigger emphasis on movie stars and of course western franchises—like Star Wars and the Marvel Universe. Nonetheless, one thing they have in common is a love of cosplay, so expect lots of dress-up—likely with a focus on western movie characters rather than Japanese ones.
While the Tokyo event happens in early Winter, the Osaka version is penciled in for early Summer at Intex Osaka.

Hydrangea Season at Yatadera Temple
2022-06-01 - 2022-07-10 | Yamatokoriyama, Nara, 3506 Yatacho, Yamatokoriyama, Nara 639-1058, Nara, 639-1058, Japan
From June 1st until July 10th each year, Nara’s Yatadera Temple opens its sprawling hydrangea garden for the public to enjoy. The hydrangeas here were originally planted back in 1965 in a space of 25,000 square meters, and they now number in excess of 10,000 plants covering 60 different varieties. As a result, it has become a favorite local rainy season flower spot! Admission to the temple grounds is priced at 500 yen for adults, and 200 yen for elementary school students.

Wind Chimes at Hisaizu Shrine
2022-06-15 - 2022-08-31
Hisaizu Shrine is located in Iwatsuki Ward in Saitama City. It is known fondly as the “Quiz” shrine as the kanji (Chinese characters) for the shrine 久伊豆 can be read as “Ku – i – zu”. Hence many people pray there for good luck in academics. Each year in summer, the shrine has a beautiful display of wind chimes. They also have a summer season “goshuincho,” a type of special notebook for collecting the stamps or seals of shrines and temples. The wind chimes are on display from around the middle of June until the end of August. The special summer edition of the goshuincho is available during the summer months – June, July, and August. A peacock features on both the stamp and seal book because the shrine has resident peacocks. However, they kindly request that you don’t just visit the shrine to take photos of the peacocks. Also, please note that due to the Coronavirus the shrine is only open until 4 pm. The precincts are open until 7 pm.

Marine Festa in Kuchinotsu
2022-06-17 00:00 UTC
We are yet to confirm the dates and details of this event.
As a port, Kuchinotsu began to flourish upon the arrival of the European traders. The town owes much to the sea so each year a Marine Festival is held. A festival is now a one-day event with stalls and entertainment during the day plus fireworks in the evening.

Beppu Fire Sea Festival
2022-06-17
We are yet to confirm the dates and details of this event.
The Beppu Fire Sea Festival (Beppu hi no umi matsuri) runs over three days at the end of July culminating in one of Kyushu’s biggest fireworks displays on the final day. The festival features a yatai (open-air food stand) village, art markets, dancing, and music. The fireworks happen from 8 pm to 9 pm on the final day.

The Japan International Birdman Rally
2022-06-17
We are yet to confirm the dates and details of this event.
From a jetty jutting into Lake Biwa from the scenic Matsubara Beach in Hikone City, “bird men” – mildly insane people in human-powered flying machines – will attempt to fly as far as possible into the lake.
The event kicks off early – at 7:30 am on Day 1 (Glide aircraft decision) and at the unholy hour of 6 am on Day 2 (manpower propeller division). Some of the contestants take things very seriously while others are in it more for the comedy value.

Ono-Hiyoshi Shrine Sanno Festival
2022-06-17 06:05 UTC
We are yet to confirm the dates and details of this event.
A large traditional festival that welcomes summer, the festivities stretch over two days and contain some great unique performances. The first day is demon payment day, aka Yahikobaba, and there is a mikoshi parade through the town. On the second day is the Lion Dance before all characters and participants are joined together at the shrine for the climax of the festival. The unusual costumes and performances have been deemed an Intangible Folk Cultural Property and are unique to the area. Although Mitsuya station is closer, you can catch a bus from JR Kanazawa Station to Ohno Center which is around 5 minutes from the festival area.
All the public performances and parades were canceled for 2020. Only the religious rites took place.

2022 Doshin/UHB Fireworks Festival
2022-06-17 06:24 UTC
We are yet to confirm the dates and details of this event.
Also known as the Toyohira River Fireworks, this fireworks festival is regarded as Hokkaido’s most popular fireworks festival.　Over the course of the evening, approximately 4,000 fireworks will light up the night sky over Sapporo. The venue for the festival will be along the Toyohiragawa river between Horohirobashi and Minamioohashi. In the event of persistent rain, the event will be rescheduled.

All Japan Selection Nagara River Chunichi Fireworks Display
2022-06-17 06:24 UTC
One of two huge fireworks displays on the riverbanks each summer, the All-Japan Selection is a competition between pyrotechnicians from across the country. They have entries from the Fireworks Artists Association and there is a Creative Starmine contest too. The displays from both events are considered to be the best in Japan, and there are displays during the day (from 12pm) as well, so spend your afternoon enjoying the festive atmosphere before settling down for the show. The best seats are on the Nagara riverbank between Nagara-bridge and Kinka-bridge. You can catch a bus from JR of Meitetsu Gifu Station to Nagara-bashi or Ukai-ya.

Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival
2022-06-17 06:25 UTC
Take a seat on the Miyakawa river in Ise for one of the three biggest fireworks festivals in Japan. There are over 10,000 fireworks to be launched and pyrotechnicians from across the country attend to show off their skills. This is a competition, so you’ll be sure to see their best efforts! There will be shuttle busses running from Uji-Yamada and Ise-shi stations in the evening too. The display begins at 7.15 pm and will be done by 9 pm. If the weather is bad enough to cancel the event, it will be held on the 14th instead.
(Lily Crossley-Baxter)

Nagoya Port Fireworks Festival
2022-06-17 06:29 UTC
We are yet to confirm the dates and details of this event.
Compared to other festivals around the country, with only 3,000 fireworks, the Nagoya Port Fireworks Festival seems relatively small. Despite this, the scenic location of the event and its proximity to Nagoya attract a spectator audience of approximately 370,000 people.
This festival usually takes place in mid-July, but in 2021 it was rescheduled for October to avoid a clash with the Olympics and in the hope that COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted but was eventually canceled anyway.

Minato Maizuru Chatta Festival
2022-06-17 06:34 UTC
An annual festival taking place on the final weekend of July, this event finishes with a display of fireworks launched from a ship in the bay. The nearby beach provides a great vantage point and there are plenty of food stalls, games, and festival ceremonies to enjoy if you can make it for the weekend. This year there will be no citizens regatta as the pier was damaged in last year’s typhoon. The fireworks will be held on the evening of the 28th.

Wonderful Nature Village Hydrangea Festival
2022-06-17 10:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | Kamiyotsugi, Akiruno, Shiraiwa 600, Kamiyotsugi, Akiruno, Tokyo 197-0832, Tokyo, 197-0832, Japan
Wonderful Nature Village is located in Akiruno, in the western part of Tokyo. They’ve been hosting an annual hydrangea festival for over 45 years now, and the event showcases the beauty of around 15,000 flowers in an impressive 60 varieties. The main drawcard here is a hillside filled with several thousand Annabelle snowball hydrangeas, which are known for their fluffy white flower clusters. Because of the hilly nature of the venue, visitors are recommended to wear comfortable footwear to the event. Admission to the festival is priced at ¥850 for adults; those who are elementary school age and under receive free admission.

Izawanomiya Otaue Festival
2022-06-24
This festival takes place on June 24th each year at Izawanomiya (Izawa Shrine) – one of the 123 shinto shrines that makes up the giant Ise Grand Shrine complex in Mie Prefecture. Additionally, it’s yet another officially recognized intangible cultural asset and one of three major “Otaue” festivals in Japan each year. The others happen in Chiba Prefecture in April and as part of the Sumiyoshi Festival in Osaka.
If you’re struggling with the name, you could use the nickname that the locals use for it – “Omita”.
“Otaue” means rice planting and sowing the rice plants is one of the shinto rituals performed in order to ensure a good harvest.
Aside from the ritual planting, a large blue bamboo pole is put at the bottom of the muddy field. Teams of men in fundoshi (loin cloths) scramble through the mud to grab the pole and carry it off. It’s believed that the successful pole grabbers will be provided with safety while at sea.
The mythology of the festival involves an ancient visit by 7 sharks that swam up the Nogawa (No River) to visit the shrine. The sharks are purported to visit even now so that local fishermen suspend their fishing – presumably so that the sharks aren’t accidentally caught. An added bonus is that they get to scramble through the mud after the talismanic bamboo pole.

Aizen Festival
2022-06-30
The Aizen Festival is touted as the first major summer festival in Osaka of the year. Along with the Tenjin Festival and the Sumiyoshi Festival, it’s also known as one of the three big Osaka festivals.
Known colloquially as “Aizen-san” (the other two big festivals get the same treatment) Aizen festival takes place in and around the temple, Aizendo. One of the big draws of the festival is the Hoekago Parade in which a “geisha” (a beautiful young woman — not the elaborately made-up figure you’re imagining) is carried aloft in a basket. “Hoekago” literally means “blessed treasure basket.” Parade participants chant “ho-e-ka-go” while carrying the young woman aloft.
The parade will be held on the first day of the festival.

Hachioji Summer Market
2022-07-01 - 2022-07-05
ust a few minutes’ walk from Hachioji Station’s north exit is a summer market that’s got it all. You can peruse the stalls selling famed local goodies—from morning glory flowers, to Edo-style wind chimes, to tasty street food. And since it’s that time of year (hot), you’ll see lots of folks dressed in yukata (colorful light kimono). You can also take a ride in a rickshaw during the festival—another throwback to the Edo Period.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many events have been canceled. Always check official sites before heading to an event.

2022 Gion Festival
2022-07-01 - 2022-07-31 | Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
The Gion Matsuri (Gion Festival) is a month-long festival that takes place in Kyoto in July each year. The name comes from the neighborhood of Gion, which is home to some of the more traditional parts of Kyoto—including the geisha quarter.
Although there are processions throughout the month, the highlights of the festival are the parades called Yamaboko Junkō on the 17th and 24th of July (canceled for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). In the three days that lead up to each parade (known as yoiyama days), the central city streets are closed to vehicular traffic. Lining the streets are stalls selling a variety of traditional festival food such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and yakitori. The floats in the Yamaboko Junko parade are huge and can weigh up to 12 metric tonnes.
Apart from the parades and the other festivities, the festival is also known as an opportunity to snap pictures of geisha or maiko—but you’ll have to be on the lookout!
Access
Kyoto is well served by a metro line, trains, and a flat-rate bus network, which makes getting around easy and affordable. There is a one-day bus pass available for ¥500. If you’re traveling from Tokyo, these are your top transport options.
Accommodation
Staying in Kyoto during the Gion Festival is a challenge, to say the least—it’s almost as busy as cherry-blossom season. More affordable options disappear fast, but there are a few good hotels to keep an eye on. In Kawaramachi, The Millenials offers capsule-like pods. In a similar vein, the Karasuma branch of First Cabin has airline-inspired part-capsule part-room options for a few thousand yen a night. On the other side of the river, in the Gion district itself, Ryokan Hostel Gion has a more traditional hostel feel but with a modern design, starting at a couple of thousand yen a night.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa
2022-07-01 - 2022-07-15
Hakata Gion Yamasaka is a festival with a 750-year history that features fundoshi (that ever-popular festival garment) clad men racing elaborately decorated floats that weigh in at 1 ton.
The event is one of Fukuoka’s largest with approximately 1 million spectators expected to observe the festivities.
The main processions take place on the 10th, 11th, and 14th of July. The closest station is Tenjin Station, but JR Hakata Station is also within walking distance.

Hydrangea Festival at Jupia Land Hirata
2022-07-01 - 2022-07-31
Each year during Japan’s rainy season, Fukushima’s Jupia Land Hirata is home to an impressive hydrangea festival which also coincides with a variety of colorful lilies in bloom. There are a number of paved walking paths through the grounds where visitors can appreciate the blooms up close. As is the case for any flower festival, the dates can fluctuate slightly from year to year depending on blooming conditions. Based on last year’s event, plan for the first few weeks of July – but do check the official website for updates closer to the season. Adult admission to the event is 500 yen – junior high school-aged children and below receive free admission.

Animage and Ghibli Exhibition
2022-07-08 - 2022-07-10
Animage is an influential anime magazine that began publication in 1978. One of the early editors was anime producer Toshio Suzuki, who collaborated with Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki on articles and manga for the magazine.
The subtitle of the exhibition is “The single magazine from which Ghibli began”, so a major part of the exhibition looks at this connection between Animage and Studio Ghibli.
The adult admission price is ¥1,300 on weekdays and ¥1,500 on weekends. There is also an early-bird “pair ticket” for ¥2,000 which admits two people—or one person twice.
Tickets are on sale through Lawson Ticket, Ticket Pia, e+, Seven Ticket, and ARTNE Ticket.
After leaving Fukuoka, the exhibition will move to Hiroshima from July 16th until September 4th, then Fukushima from September 17th to December 11th.

Immersive Museum
2022-07-08 - 2022-10-29
There’s no doubt that the evolution of technology has presented new opportunities in the art world. Tokyo-based favorites like TeamLab Borderless and TeamLab Planets are just a couple of examples of immersive, technology-based art exhibitions, and this summer there will be a new addition to the city’s repertoire. The Immersive Museum is scheduled to run from July 8th until October 29th, and the event incorporates technology to bring works by Impressionist painters to life.
Photo: Immersive Museum Executive Committee
Some of the artists whose works will be digitized include Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Edgar Degas, and part of the event’s philosophy is changing art from something to be appreciated into something that should be experienced. Event tickets are estimated to be available from June, and admission is priced at ¥ 2500 for adults, ¥ 1500 for junior high, high school, and university students, and free for those elementary-aged and below.

Narita Gion Matsuri
2022-07-08 10:00 - 2022-07-10 17:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | Narita, Chiba, Narita, Chiba 286-0023, Chiba, 286-0023, Japan
For three days in July, for the last 300 years, the people of Narita and surrounding towns have gathered in the plaza in front of Shinshoji Temple in Narita to celebrate summer planting and ask for blessings from the Buddha Dainichi Nyorai. This festival is of course solemn in parts, but exuberant and boisterous day and night. The festival begins after midday on the first day with a blessing ceremony and a rally of the festival float bearers before they parade around the city. The festival floats are spectacular – exquisite woodwork, sumptuous draperies, and a company of musicians, bearers, and dancers in colorful costumes accompany each. The festival continues into the evenings, with lights on the floats and participants bearing lanterns. Each day has traditional dance and processions. Be careful not to get crushed by the floats in the steep and narrow streets of Narita, and make a way when you hear the chants and drums. If you need a breather, retreat to Naritasan Park where the fountains and ponds are tranquil and cool. During the festival street food is abundant. If you prefer a proper meal, don’t miss the local specialty, grilled eel served in many shops and best represented by Kawatoyo, a popular restaurant on the main road.

Hiratsuka Tanabata
2022-07-08 10:00 - 2022-07-10 20:00 (Asia/Tokyo) | Hiratsuka Kanagawa, Hiratsuka JR Station Takarachō 1-1 Hiratsuka Kanagawa 254 - 0034, Kanagawa, 254 - 0034, Japan
This is a celebration of the Tanabata legend, which originated in China. There are several interpretations of the legend but this is how the story is commonly told in Japan: Orihime, the daughter of the Emperor of the Universe Tentei, was a talented weaver, but after years of working hard to please her father she realized that she had been so busy weaving that she hadn’t had time to meet a lover. After seeing how sad his daughter was, the Emperor arranged for her to marry Prince Hikoboshi from the other side of the great river, made by the Milky Way. Orihime and the prince fell deeply in love, but Orihime started to neglect her weaving. The Emperor became infuriated with his daughter and banished Hikoboshi back to the other side of the river, but after seeing how sad his daughter was without the prince by her side, he decided to let the couple meet once a year, on the night of July the 7th. This would be the night each year that they, the two stars, could meet. However, on the night of their first reunion, Orihime realized that she could not cross the river by herself. A flock of Magpies heard her cries and formed a bridge for her to cross. It is said that if there is rain on the night of 7th July, the magpies can’t help Orihime, so the lovers cannot meet for another year. Each July people hope for clear skies. Japanese people celebrate Tanabata by making offerings and writing their own wishes onto strips of colored paper, before tying them to bamboo branches. Traditionally these branches were sent down the river at the end of the festival period, but Tanabata has grown so much over the past few years that this tradition has been stopped in favor of cleaner water. Event Report I step out of the train station to the smell of grilled seafood skewers, takoyaki, and teriyaki batter baking with its sugary sweet bean filling. Sellers cling on to clusters of bobbing Hello Kitty and Anpan-man balloons, and the usually quiet streets are overflowing with festival-goers. Music blares from each of the street-facing bars, while in contrast, traditional Japanese singing floats down from the loudspeakers. Sellers call out to the passers-by with infectious energy and enthusiasm. From the busy street, I look up at the streamers of luminous yellow, pink, gold, and blue, filling the sky as they blow in the wind. The decorations hang from every streetlight, rooftop, and overhead line, each competing to be the biggest and most colorful on display. This year it is hot and the streets are full of people in high spirits after a long day spent eating and drinking in the sun. Families have gathered and are filling up on meat skewers and sugary treats. Children fish for prizes while each moment is caught on camera. Couples and friends have met to eat and drink, on the streets full of life, pausing to write their wishes, before adding them to the streams of other people’s hopes and dreams. I spoke to a local bar owner, Senri Miura, who also runs a website for the festival. “Many people here look forward to seeing the decoration of the festival each year, with their hero from sports or drama, traditional motifs like Samurai and Kabuki, and current events or political relations such as Hayabusa’s return. Local people look forward to the festival’s food and drink. I especially like the nighttime illuminations, which are so romantic and beautiful.” This tradition is the perfect excuse for an early summer celebration. It’s a time for people from miles around to set out in their summer yukata and take to the streets in high festival spirits. Hiratsuka Tanabata is a festival of fun, sentimentality, and optimism, all in eager anticipation of the approaching festival season.

Slug Festival
2022-07-09 | Nakatsugawa-shi, Gifu-ken, 683 Kashimo, Nakatsugawa-shi, Gifu-ken, Gifu, Gifu, 508-0421, Japan
Japan has great festivals ranging from fight festivals and firework festivals to ones celebrating fertility and scaring children into being good. In the little sleepy village of Kashimo in Nakatsugawa is one about slugs. Yes, slimy slugs. Though it is not a wildly famous festival nor does it garnish much attention except locals and within the prefecture, it has a story that captures the imagination. To me, it is just a great story. Between the Heian and Kamakura Periods, Kashimo’s northern district of Ogo, what locals call ojatta-mura, had a small garrison of soldiers with the duty of protecting the sacred forest and Japanese cypress used for building palaces, castles, temples and shrines from the surrounding daimyo of Takayama and Naegi. Moritoo Endo, a soldier stationed in Kashimo had fallen in love with his friend’s wife, Kesa-gozen. He approached her and began to win her affection. He wanted to have her for himself eventually convincing her to go to him. But to do that they would need to remove the husband, Moritoo’s friend. One day Kesa-gozen said, “come to my house at midnight of July 9th (old calendar). My husband will be sleeping alone so you can kill him. Then I can be with you.” Moritoo went to the house, snuck in, and cut off the head of his sleeping friend. But the next day, news came that someone had killed his friend’s wife! Kesa-gozen had tricked Moritoo and taken her husband’s futon. She had sacrificed herself to save her husband. To atone for his sin, Moritoo became a monk and later became the priest of high virtue known as Mongaku-shounin. After Moritoo died, a slug began appearing on the evening of July 9th; the day Kesa-gozen died. They say the slug is the reincarnation of Kesa-gozen. This was denoted by the black line on the back which is said to be the sword scar. Moritoo had served his apprenticeship, therefore, his sin was forgiven by Kesa-gozen. Zoom forward to the present; on the evening of the festival, the street is lined with torches and stalls selling festival fare. Taiko drums play and people are jovial. The current monk, a young man in his mid-thirties from the main temple now located in the center of the community, walks up to the tomb and the people bow in silence as a prayer is said. As he speaks, slugs led by one large slug wearing a long black mark on its back climb all over the tomb while people scramble to see this mystery of nature. I have attended this festival a dozen times. The sleepy little hamlet is transformed into a field of lanterns and all the people come out to commune. But most amazing is the slugs; no one collects them to spread, they just appear there every year on that day to be with the forbidden love.

Miraikan Anniversary Free Admission Day
2022-07-09 10:00 - 17:00 UTC | Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
To celebrate their anniversary, the Museum of Emerging Science and Technology (Miraikan) opens their doors for free on July 9th. They have a few different free entry days based on age, but this one is open to everyone. Note that if this day falls on a Tuesday (their regular closing day) it won’t take place. The other days are:
Free entry for everyone on the Friday and Saturday of Science Week (April)
Free entry for everyone on the Saturday of Education and Culture Week (Nov)
Free for under 18s every Saturday and on Children’s Day (May 5th)
Free for over 65s on Respect the Aged Day (Sept 18th)
Regular admission is ¥620.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many events have been canceled. Always check official sites before heading to an event.

July Grand Sumo Tournament (Nagoya)
2022-07-10 - 2022-07-24 | Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Japan
Held every July, this is the fourth of Japan’s six annual Sumo Tournaments, known as honbasho. With sumo rankings released a few weeks before, it’s a chance to see the traditional sport up close and personal. While the fights are broadcast on NHK, nothing beats the atmosphere of the tense final matches of the day, complete with cushion-throwing and cheers. Seating is divided into box seating – tatami areas seating four people which start at about ¥38,000 and arena seats which start from around ¥3,800.
Sumo matches take place throughout the day and you can leave to grab food before returning. The busiest times are as you may expect—weekends and towards the end of the tournament.
If you’re not here during a tournament but still want to see some sumo action, here are a few ways to make it happen in Tokyo.
(JC Team)
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many events have been canceled. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
