Best Events Japan July 2025 

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 July 2025.

Tokyo

In July, visitors to Tokyo can expect a series of exhibitions and culinary highlights that can be enjoyed in a summery atmosphere.

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills Summer Promotions (until August 31)

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills unveils its 2025 summer menus, celebrating the season with peach and mango-themed offerings across its venues. At The Tavern – Grill & Lounge, highlights include Peach Afternoon Tea, Summer Breeze Highball, Shu-En Paloma, and a Summer Apéritif with canapés and Champagne. The Rooftop Bar presents Premium Tea Mojitos crafted with sencha, Earl Grey, and lemon myrtle. BeBu offers a Chipotle Mango Glazed Fried Chicken Burger and Mango Tapioca Shake. The Pastry Shop features Andaz Sweets Kakigori in Coffee and Mango flavors, along with Peach and Mango desserts and the Bulle Champagne pairing. AO Spa & Club introduces Mint Refresh, a 90-minute treatment combining foot baths, mint oil massage, reflexology, and a lavender-infused head massage. Available until August 31, these seasonal experiences offer indulgent ways to enjoy Tokyo’s summer with luxurious flavors, city views, and wellness treatments.

When	Until August 31
Where	Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills 1−23−4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Admission Fee	Price depends on the menu.
Official Website	https://restaurants.andaztokyo.jp/en/special

Grand Hyatt Tokyo Summer Terrace Dining (Until September 30)

Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s Summer Terrace Dining runs until September 30 offering elegant outdoor experiences on its open‑air terraces, with indoor backup in case of poor weather. Highlights include:

• The French Kitchen’s Summer Terrace BBQ (2F): A gourmet Provençal-style barbecue featuring Landaise salad, sirloin, and more. Available 6pm–9:30pm daily. Options range from food‑only (yen 7,480) to unlimited sparkling wine (11,880 yen) or Champagne (16,280 yen) The Oak Door’s Hawaiian BBQ & Beer Garden (6F): Hawaiian‑flavored BBQ and cocktails, 6pm–9:30pm daily. Prices start at 6,600 yen (food-only), 8,800 yen with free-flow sparkling wine, or 11,000 yen with Champagne .
• Soirée Blanche (2F): A glamorous all‑white gala hosted on select Saturdays (June 21; July 5 and 19; Aug 2, 16 and 30), with Perrier‑Jouët Champagne at 17,600 yen Summer Semi‑buffet Dinner (2F): Buffet-style-appetizers and desserts, five main-course choices. Available nightly from 7,480 yen food-only or from 11,330 yen with free-flow drinks (online special: 8,608 yen), with Champagne at 14,080 yen.

Located in Roppongi, a short walk from the station. These seasonal offerings combine stylish ambience with culinary panache.

When	Until September 30
Where	Grand Hyatt Tokyo 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Admission Fee	Price depends on the menu.
Official Website	https://www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/en/restaurants/recommended/hotel-academy-special-event/

Tokyo Edition, Toranomon The Jade Room + Garden Terrace (Until August 31)

The Jade Room + Garden Terrace, the signature restaurant of The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon, has recently launched “Terroir Noto” as the fourth installment in its “Terroir Japan” series. This special event spotlights the unique ingredients, wines, and sake of the Noto region, curated by British Chef de Cuisine Richard McLellan, who was inspired by the area’s producers and their dedication. The menu features Noto beef, mackerel, melon, and vegetables from small-scale local farms, paired with regional wines from HEIDEE WINERY and SAYS FARM, as well as Ishikawa sake including Fukukiri and Tengumai. Head Sommelier Masakatsu Yatabe highlights Noto’s wine and sake, noting their distinctive flavors shaped by sea breezes and rich soils. The restaurant is committed to supporting Noto’s recovery from recent disasters by donating a portion of proceeds to earthquake and flood relief. Guests are invited to enjoy Noto’s treasures through creative cuisine and distinctive pairings.

When	Until August 31
Where	The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon L31 4-1-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Admission Fee	Price depends on the menu.
Official Website	https://www.thejaderoomgardenterrace.com/en/

Because We Cannot Truly Understand Each Other Exhibition at The Ad Museum (Until August 30)

Until August 30 the exhibition Because We Cannot Truly Understand Each Other will be held at the Ad Museum in central Tokyo. In 2024, Japan ranked 118th out of 146 countries in the Gender Gap Index — a gap that persists to this day. Rather than despairing or being divided by frustration, the exhibition invites visitors to see the potential in our differences. Through about 60 international and domestic advertising examples, it encourages action like “speaking up,” “questioning,” and “avoiding assumptions.” Featuring multimedia, graphics, and interactive displays, the exhibition explores new ways of communication and reflection, inspiring dialogue about what we can do together for a more inclusive society. 

When	Until August 30
Where	Ad Museum Catetta Shiodome, 1–8-2 Higashishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://www.admt.jp/en/

Selection: An Exhibition by Artists Mihoko Ogaki, Nanae Mitobe, and Jörgen Axelvall at Ken Nakahashi Gallery (July 5 – August 2)

This compact but vital gallery in Shinjuku san-chome has built up a reputation, since its inception in 2014, for showcasing and promoting a vibrant mixture of emerging and established artists. Selection promises to be a real showstopper of an exhibition with leading Tokyo-based Swedish photographer Jörgen Axelvall the headline act. Axelvall’s beautiful and sensitive portrayal of the male form and his truly idiosyncratic aesthetics make him one of the most exciting artists in the Japanese capital. 

When	July 5 – August 2
Where	Ken Nakahashi Gallery 3−1−32 Shinjuku, Tokyo
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://kennakahashi.net/

Kyoto

Kyoto also offers visitors a summer full of events, including the Mitarashi Festival.

Mitarashi Festival (July 18-27)

Shimogamo Shrine hosts the Mitarashi Festival at the Mitarai-sha subsidiary shrine. Participants pay 500 yen to receive a small candle, wade into clear, cold water from an underground spring, and pass under an arched bridge toward the sub-shrine. After offering a prayer and placing the candle, they are given a cup of bottled spring water to drink. Attendees can also buy special omamori (charms) or foot-shaped ema (wooden prayer plaques). It’s believed that wading through the waters during the festival ensures good health for the year, especially for your legs.

When	July 18-27
Where	Shimogamo Shrine 59 Izumikawacho, Shimogamo, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/july/mitarashi-sai-shimogamo-shrine/

Niigata

Niigata is considered a paradise for winter sports, but the prefecture also has a lot to offer during the summer months.

Murakami Festival (July 6-7)

The Murakami Festival has been held since 1633. In 2018, the festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan as the “Murakami Festival Float Event.” The highlight is the parade of 19 oshagiri (festival floats) that begins in the morning of the main festival. Some of the oshagiri, carved and lacquered in the finest style of Murakami tradition, are over 200 years old and are truly magnificent. It is a festival with a long history and tradition, and is counted as one of Niigata’s three major takamachi (festival) events.

When	July 6-7
Where	Murakami
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://www.sake3.com/en/festival.html

Thousand Lights Festival (July 26)

Niigata’s Thousand Lights Fes­ti­val transforms the Honmachi shopping arcades into a mystical sea of lanterns. Every summer, around 6,000–7,000 lanterns (many hand‑decorated with personal messages) are placed throughout this area and, Ninjo Yokocho, and Masatani Koji, then illuminated at 6:45pm. Beyond the glowing ambiance, there’s a daytime lantern‑making workshop, streetfood stalls, kitchen cars, children’s games, and a stamp‑rally. Free to attend, it invites families and friends to stroll these softly illuminated streets, creating serene summer memories.

When	July 26
Where	Ninjo Yokocho and Masatani Koji in Niigata City
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://niigata-kankou.or.jp/event/2468

Kanagawa

July is the month that celebrates the popular Tanabata festival, and numerous events await you in numerous cities.

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival (July 4–6)

The Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival, one of Japan’s three largest Tanabata celebrations, takes place annually around July 4–6 in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Centered on the bustling north‑exit shopping arcade of JR Hiratsuka Station, the event features around 500 elaborate, vibrant streamers and decoration while many visitors wear yukata and enjoy illuminated displays in the evening. A festive parade adds to the atmosphere. Easy to reach (just a two‑minute walk from the station) this beloved summer event predictably attracts large crowds.

When	July 4-6
Where	Hiratsuka Station
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	http://www.tanabata-hiratsuka.com/

Aichi

If you have ever wanted to attend a sumo tournament then you have the perfect opportunity in July.

Grand Sumo Tournament (July 13-27)

The July Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya runs this year from July 13–27 at the newly opened IG Arena in Nagoya, replacing the older Dolphins Arena. As the fourth of six annual honbasho, the event spans 15 days of daily bouts in a round-robin format, culminating in a championship winner based on records. Look out for newly-promoted Yokozuna Onosato and superstar Ozeki Hoshoryu as these two giants fight it out for the sumo title.

When	July 13-27
Where	IG Arena 1-2 Meijo, Kita-ku, Nagoya
Admission Fee	3,500 – 42,000 yen
Official Website	https://www.sumo.or.jp/EnTicket/year_schedule/

July heralds the start of the summer festival season in Japan. Visitors can expect a variety of exciting, traditional, and odd events in the coming months that can only be found in Japan.