Welcome to the latest installment of Voyapon’s series, where we share some of the best under-the-radar events happening throughout Japan. Every month, we give our readers the best events from Hokkaido to Okinawa and everywhere else in between. Find our list, below, of some amazing activities happening in August 2025.
- Tokyo
- Summer Sunset to Night Cruise at Hilton Tokyo Odaiba (August 1-16)
- Claes Oldenburg: This & That at Pace Gallery (Until August 23)
- Kunié Sugiura: Boundaries and Coexistence at Taka Ishii Gallery Roppongi & Kyobashi (Until Aug 23)
- Experience Traditional Edo Lantern Hand-Painting at Hilton Tokyo Odaiba (August 11)
- Le Pristine x Nogizaka Shin at Hotel Toranomon Hills (August 2-3)
- Fresh Meat at Silk Road Cafe (August 16)
- Niigata
- Nagoya
- Kobe
Tokyo
From summer cruises to fascinating exhibitions, August in Tokyo has numerous highlights in store for its visitors.
Summer Sunset to Night Cruise at Hilton Tokyo Odaiba (August 1-16)
One of the standout features of this summer’s promotions at Hilton Tokyo Odaiba is the newly launched Sunset to Night Cruise, a distinctive experience that makes the most of the hotel’s prime location in Odaiba. For the first time, the cruise route loops around Haneda Airport, offering guests an unforgettable perspective of Tokyo from the water. Aboard the hotel’s exclusive cruise ship, passengers can take in sweeping views of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower, as well as striking sights rarely seen up close — towering cranes at the bustling container port and planes soaring into the sky or descending onto the runway just overhead.
| When | Friday, August 1 / Saturday, August 2 / Friday, August 8 / Saturday, August 9 / Sunday, August 10 / Friday, August 15 / Saturday, August 16 |
| Where | Hilton Tokyo Odaiba 1-9-1 Daiba, Minato, Tokyo 135-8625 |
| Admission Fee | Free *Only for guests who have made a reservation in advance for an Executive Room, Family Room, or Suite Room |
| Official Website | https://www.hiltonodaiba.jp/experiences/summer_curise_2025EN |
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba
lodging- 1 Chome-9-1 Daiba, Minato City, Tokyo 135-8625, Japan
- ★★★★☆
Claes Oldenburg: This & That at Pace Gallery (Until August 23)
Pace Gallery Tokyo presents Claes Oldenburg: This & That from July 17 to August 23. Curated by Marc Glimcher and Maartje Oldenburg, the exhibition highlights the American Pop artist’s fascination with multiplicity and everyday objects through sculptures and prints from the 1960s to 2000s. Titled いろいろ (Iroiro) in Japanese, meaning “variety,” the show reflects Oldenburg’s humorous and transformative approach to the mundane. Featured works include N.Y.C. Pretzel (1994), Tied Trumpet (2004), and Knife Ship 1:12 (2008), among others. This is Oldenburg’s first major Tokyo exhibition since 1996. A pioneer in Pop Art and happenings, Oldenburg was known for monumental sculptures made with his partner Coosje van Bruggen. The show continues Pace’s long-standing relationship with the artist and celebrates the gallery’s 65th anniversary.
Photo right: es Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Tied Trumpet, 2004 SCULPTURE aluminum, canvas, felt, polyurethane foam, rope, cord; coated with resin and painted with latex; plastic tubing, 50-1/2″ x 23 1/2″ x 15″ (128.3 cm x 59.7 cm x 38.1 cm), Cast 2 of 3 Edition of 3 + 1 AP, No. 35810.02 © Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, courtesy Pace Gallery
| When | Until August 23 |
| Where | Pace Gallery Tokyo 1F; Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza-A 5-8-1 Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo 105-0001 |
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Official Website | https://www.pacegallery.com/pace-tokyo/ |
Kunié Sugiura: Boundaries and Coexistence at Taka Ishii Gallery Roppongi & Kyobashi (Until Aug 23)
Taka Ishii Gallery is hosting Boundaries and Coexistence, a solo exhibition by Kunié Sugiura until August 23 at its Roppongi and Kyobashi venues. The show explores Sugiura’s decades-long career and her fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics. Known for blurring lines between photography, painting, and science, Sugiura resists binary contrasts, allowing coexistence and creative tension. At Roppongi, early works such as the Cko series and Photocanvas reveal her experimental beginnings. Recent pieces using X-ray negatives reflect themes of fragility and the human body. Kyobashi highlights her long-standing photogram practice, notably The Kitten Papers, and botanical series that embody Japanese notions of ephemerality. Born in Nagoya and based in New York, Sugiura has exhibited internationally and is held in major museum collections worldwide.
| When | Until August 23 |
| Where | Taka Ishii Gallery Roppongi complex665 3F, 6-5-24 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo 106-0032 Taka Ishii Gallery Kyobashi TODA BUILDING 3F, 1-7-1 Kyobashi, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0031 |
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Official Website | https://www.takaishiigallery.com/en/archives/40671/ |
Experience Traditional Edo Lantern Hand-Painting at Hilton Tokyo Odaiba (August 11)
Step into the world of Edo-period craftsmanship by creating your own hand-painted lantern. These iconic lanterns, often seen at sumo matches, rakugo performances, kabuki theaters, and seasonal festivals, carry rich cultural significance. Discover the history behind them, learn how they’re crafted, and explore the meanings woven into their designs. Then, bring your own ideas to life — paint your favorite characters, meaningful words, or personal symbols to create a truly unique lantern to take home.
| When | August 11 Sessions at 11am / 1:30pm (Duration: approx. 60 minutes) |
| Where | Hilton Tokyo Odaiba 1-9-1 Daiba, Minato, Tokyo 135-8625 |
| Admission Fee | 8,000 yen per person or special pair rate of 13,000 yen for two people. Eligible Participants: Elementary school students (upper grades recommended) and adults (20 participants per session) |
| Official Website | https://www.hiltonodaiba.jp/experiences/Summer_Experience_2025 |
Le Pristine x Nogizaka Shin at Hotel Toranomon Hills (August 2-3)
Le Pristine Tokyo and Michelin-starred Nogizaka Shin will host their first-ever four-hands culinary collaboration, “Celebrate the Charm of Summer,” on August 2–3 at Hotel Toranomon Hills. Executive Chef Dennis Kuipers and Chef Shinji Ishida will present a five-course menu blending “NEW ITALIAN” and refined Japanese cuisines, highlighting seasonal ingredients like pike conger, sea urchin, and Akaushi beef. Award-winning sommeliers Satoru Mori and Yasuhide Tobita will pair the dishes with rare wines and sakes. The event promises an immersive East-meets-West gastronomic journey, rooted in the summer’s peak flavors and culinary artistry. Priced at 44,000 yen per person, the exclusive menu will be served only at Le Pristine Tokyo. Reservations are required.
| When | August 2-3 |
| Where | Hotel Toranomon Hills 2-6-4 Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo 105-0001 |
| Admission Fee | 44,000 yen per person |
| Official Website | https://lepristinetokyo.com/en/top |
- Hotel Toranomon Hills - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
lodging - Japan, 〒105-0001 Tokyo, Minato City, Toranomon, 2 Chome−6−4 虎ノ門ヒルズステーションタワー 1階
- ★★★★☆
Fresh Meat at Silk Road Cafe (August 16)
Fresh Meat is a recurring drag and variety show held every few months in Kinshicho. The next event is on August 16 (7pm–10pm), at Silk Road Cafe — a cozy, sit-down venue where you can eat, drink, and enjoy the show. Launched in 2022, Fresh Meat was created as a welcoming space for drag artists to explore edgier, more experimental performances, while giving newcomers a safe place to debut. Each show also fundraises for a community cause; this time, donations will go to Children of Persia in response to the war in Iran.
Expect a mix of dark, bold, and surreal performances, from drag queens and kings to pole dancers, voguers, and singers, offering a striking contrast to the more polished drag scenes of Shinjuku Ni-chome.
| When | August 16 |
| Where | Silk Road Cafe 3-2-8 Taihei, Sumida, Tokyo 130-0012 |
| Admission Fee | 2,500 yen |
| Official Website | https://www.silkroad-cafe.com/ |
- Silkroad Cafe
cafe - 3 Chome-2-8 Taihei, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0012, Japan
- ★★★★☆
Niigata
In Niigata, visitors can expect one of Japan’s three largest fireworks displays at the beginning of August.
Nagaoka Hanabi (August 2-3)
The Nagaoka Festival (Nagaoka Matsuri) is a major summer event held annually from August 1–3 in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture. It commemorates the victims of World War II air raids on the city and celebrates peace and recovery. The highlight is the grand fireworks display on August 2–3, considered one of Japan’s top three fireworks festivals. Over 20,000 fireworks, including the famous “Phoenix” display, light up the night sky over the Shinano River, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators. The festival also features traditional parades, mikoshi (portable shrines), taiko drumming, folk dance, and local food stalls. Rooted in remembrance and community spirit, Nagaokamatsuri blends solemn reflection with festive celebration, making it a powerful and moving experience for both locals and visitors.
| When | August 2-3 |
| Where | Banks of the Shinano River near Ote Bridge. |
| Admission Fee | Starting from 2,000 yen Tickets must be purchased in advance. |
| Official Website | https://nagaokamatsuri.com/ |
42nd Tainai Star Festival (August 22-24)
The 42nd Tainai Star Festival takes place August 22–24 at Tainai-daira in Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture. This beloved summer gathering is a hybrid event — held both onsite at the Tainai Nature Astronomical Observatory and online . It welcomes astronomy enthusiasts and families alike, offering free admission and hands-on stargazing over the three-night span.
Expect to explore dozens of telescopes and imaging setups from major Japanese and international manufacturers, attend daytime workshops and nightly celestial-viewing sessions, and enjoy local food stalls . In past editions, sightings of Saturn and prominent comets delighted visitors and 2025’s lineup promises similar surprises. No reservation is required so just show up ready to marvel at the stars under Tainai’s wonderfully dark skies.
| When | August 22-24 |
| Where | Tainai Nature Observatory 1251-7 Natsui, Tainai, Niigata 959-2822 |
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Official Website | http://www.tainai.jp/2025/index.html |
Nagoya
The largest city in Aichi Prefecture will host a special event for anime and manga fans in August.
World Cosplay Summit (August 1-3)
The World Cosplay Summit 2025, one of the largest cosplay events globally, will take place in Nagoya from August 1 to 3. Highlighting the festival is the World Cosplay Championship, where top cosplayers from around the globe — selected through national and regional preliminaries — compete for the title of world’s best. In addition to the championship, the event will offer various entertaining attractions like cosplay runways and other themed activities. The summit serves as a vibrant celebration of global cosplay culture, creativity, and community, drawing fans and participants from all over the world for a colorful three-day experience.
| When | August 1-3 |
| Where | Oasis 21 (Main Venue) 1-11-1 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi |
| Admission Fee | Starting from 1,000 yen. |
| Official Website | https://worldcosplaysummit.jp/en/ |
Kobe
Visitors to the port city of Kobe can look forward to art and culture in August.
Kobe Rokko Meets Art (August 23 – November 30)
Rokko Meets Art 2025 is the 16th annual contemporary art festival held on Mount Rokko in Kobe. This year’s theme, “Perspectives and Reflections on the Environment,” brings together over 60 artists from Japan and abroad. In addition to immersive exhibitions in nature, the festival will feature children’s workshops and interactive experiences. A special nighttime event, “Forest of Light: A Nighttime Art Stroll,” will run from September 20 at the ROKKO Mori-no-Oto Museum and Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden. The festival offers a unique opportunity to enjoy art amid nature, attracting visitors annually with its fusion of creativity and landscape.
| When | August 23-November 30 |
| Where | Mount Rokko |
| Admission Fee | Starting from 2,350 yen. |
| Official Website | https://rokkomeetsart.jp/ |
Kobe Sea Bon Odori (August 16)
The Kobe Umi no Bon Odori is a beloved summer event at Kobe Port, held annually at the scenic Meriken Park. This traditional festival invites visitors to dance to live music and sing folk songs from all over Japan, including local Kobe favorites. Open to everyone regardless of age, gender, or nationality, the event creates a joyful atmosphere where people join hands in a festive circle dance. With Kobe’s stunning nightscape as the backdrop, this one-night-only celebration offers a perfect opportunity to make unforgettable summer memories and experience a vibrant piece of Japanese cultural tradition.
| When | August 16 |
| Where | Meriken Park 2 Hatobacho, Chuo-ku, Kobe |
| Admission Fee | Free |
| Official Website | https://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/d49614/kuyakusho/chuoku/keikaku/uminobon/top.html |
August is the month for vibrant events, exhibitions, food and summer festivals throughout Japan. Keep your eyes open, because even the smallest street corner can be full of surprises.
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