Best Events Japan June 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 June 2025.

Tokyo

This June, in Tokyo, offers a colorful blend of culture, art, and seasonal beauty including hydrangeas, sculpture, and the capital’s much-anticipated Pride celebration.

Tokyo Pride 2025 (June 6-7)

Tokyo Pride Festival is one of the main highlights of this annual, held over two days at the Yoyogi Park Event Plaza. At the venue, organizations from the LGBTQ+ community, as well as domestic and international groups, NGOs, food vendors, and companies that support the LGBTQ+ community, set up booths to provide a space for connection. In addition, performances that transcend gender, sexuality, and genre take place on the outdoor stage (Pride Stage), captivating all who attend.

When	June 6-7
Where	Yoyogi Park Event Plaza
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://pride.tokyo/

Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival (June 7-15)

The 41st Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival (Ajisai Matsuri) will be held from June 7 to 15, 2025, in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. The festival showcases over 3,000 hydrangeas blooming around Hakusan-jinja Shrine and Hakusan Park, offering visitors a vibrant display during Japan’s rainy season. Street stands along the shrine path will sell potted hydrangeas and festive items. Stage events and booths organized by shrine parishioners are scheduled for weekends only. The festival is accessible via a 2-minute walk from Hakusan Station (Mita Line, Exit A3).

When	June 7-15
Where	Hakusan-jinja Shrine and Hakusan Park
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://b-kanko.jp/event/419

Fe_Ca_Sn Exhibition at Kaamer, Tokyo (June 27-July 6)

The exhibition Fe_Ca_Sn, being held at Kaamer in Tokyo from June 27 to July 6, features collaborative and individual works by three Tokyo-based artists: Sae Honda, Azu Kimura, and Kathleen Reilly. United by a poetic sensibility and material curiosity, the trio engage in an experimental project inspired by the Surrealist game Exquisite Corpse, exchanging their signature materials—iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), and tin (Sn) to explore new artistic processes. Honda, known for her narrative-driven design, questions value systems through tactile, interdisciplinary practices. Kimura’s nature-inspired art reflects ecological interdependence, drawing from her background in botanical design. Reilly, a Scottish metalworker and poet, casts tin works infused with memory and fleeting moments. Together, the artists blur boundaries between art, design, and craft, proposing alternative aesthetics and embracing the ephemeral. Their work collectively reflects a sensitive response to the impermanence of contemporary life and materiality through shared experimentation and individual expression.

When	June 27-July 6
Where	Kaamer in Koenji (Suginami-ku)
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://www.instagram.com/kaamer_/

Straddling the Rain: An Exhibition by Takeshi Hayashi at BTAP Gallery (Until June 28)

Tokyo Gallery + BTAP presents Straddling the Rain, Takeshi Hayashi’s sixth solo exhibition at the gallery, opening May 24. A renowned sculptor born in 1956 in Gifu Prefecture, Hayashi blends natural materials and historical motifs to expand the boundaries of stone sculpture. This exhibition explores the theme of rain, which the artist associates with time, memory, and transient emotion. Featuring abstract installations using stone and water chestnuts, the works evoke dynamic spatial relationships and ethereal sensations. Now retired from teaching at Tokyo University of the Arts, Hayashi continues to create in Shirakawa, Gifu, inviting viewers into quiet reflection through his evolving practice.

When	Until June 28
Where	Tokyo Gallery + BTAP
Official Website	https://www.tokyo-gallery.com/en/exhibitions/6618.html

Irish Film Festival 2025 in Tokyo at Ebisu Garden Cinema (May 30 – June 12)

he third edition of this film festival celebrates the strong cultural ties between Ireland and Japan, with all featured Irish films premiering in Japan. The diverse line-up includes popular recent films, documentaries, classics, and works inspired by major Irish literary figures. Held during a landmark year for Ireland-Japan relations, the festival is part of a wider cultural programme that includes Ireland House Tokyo, the Ireland Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, and nationwide collaborations. Organized by the Embassy of Ireland in Japan with support from Tourism Ireland, The Busker Irish Whiskey, and EIRE Systems, the festival highlights shared cultural passions and mutual curiosity.

When	May 30 – June 12
Where	Yebisu Garden Cinema 4-20-2 Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0013
Admission Fee	Adults: 2,000 yen Students: 1,500 yen High school students: 1,000 yen Seniors (60+): 1,300 yen Cinema day (Wednesday): 1,300 yen First day: 1,300 yen
Official Website	https://irishfilmfes.jp/

Hilton Tokyo Odaiba’s Terrace Lounge (Until October 13)

Hilton Tokyo Odaiba has opened its seasonal “Terrace Lounge” until October 13, 2025, offering panoramic views of Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge, and Tokyo Tower. Guests can enjoy refined food and drink while relaxing on garden sofas, especially during the stunning “magic hour” at sunset. The lounge offers a wide selection of à la carte dishes, including wine, champagne, aged grilled meats, and seafood pasta. Live jazz and classical music performances are held on weekends and holidays. Open mainly on weekends (and daily during Obon), the lounge provides a unique, sensory-rich experience by the sea.

When	Until October 13
Where	Hilton Tokyo Odaiba 1-9-1 Daiba, Minato, Tokyo 135-8625
Admission Fee	Non-alcoholic drinks start at 1,200 yen Alcoholic drinks start at 1,500 yen
Official Website	https://www.hiltonodaiba.jp/plans/restaurants/

Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji  Afternoon Exhibition (Until August 31)

From June 1 to August 31, 2025, mesm Tokyo presents a unique afternoon tea experience in collaboration with the Sumida Hokusai Museum. Held at the stylish Whisk lounge on the 16th floor, the event is inspired by Hokusai’s iconic Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Guests can enjoy Edo-style appetizers and 11 artistic sweets, each crafted to reflect a different masterpiece. This 14th chapter of the Tokyo Waves series offers a multi-sensory journey through Japanese art and flavor.

When	Until August 31
Where	mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
Admission Fee	Afternoon tea set: 7,000 yen You can make your reservation here.
Official Website	https://www.mesm.jp/en/news/Afternoon-Exhibition-14.html

Rémy Martin and Backdoor Bodega Guest Bartender Event at Grand Hyatt Tokyo (June 20 and 21)

Grand Hyatt Tokyo will host two award-winning bartenders from Penang’s Backdoor Bodega, named one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, for a guest event on June 20 and 21. The bartenders, Yung Shen Koh and Thaneshkumar Sivakumar, will serve three exclusive Rémy Cointreau cocktails: Val d’Or (Rémy Martin VSOP with rose apple cidre), Spellbinder (Rémy Martin 1738 with apple soda and aged soy sauce), and Eugene (Cointreau, Botanist gin, yuzu, and mishti doi). Each cocktail is limited to 30 servings per night, with events at The Oak Door and Maduro bars. This collaboration celebrates cocktail artistry and highlights Backdoor Bodega’s inventive use of local ingredients. Known for its unique speakeasy concept, the bar gained recognition across Asia for its creative mixology and low-key charm. Music cover charges apply at Maduro.

When	June 20 and 21
Where	Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Admission Fee	Music cover charges: 2,750 yen (table) / 1,650 yen (counter).
Official Website	https://www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/en/restaurants/recommended/remy-martin-guest-bartender/

BACARDI HOUSE PARTY by Gold Bar at EDITION with Mahaniyom # 18 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 (June 12)

The superb Gold Bar at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon hosts Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar, ranked No.18 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, for a one-night-only guest shift on June 12. Experience award-winning cocktails by global Bacardi Legacy champion Ronnaporn (Neung) Kanivichaporn and Wannaporn (Fang), including their signature “Pink Me Up.” There should be a big crowd in attendance for this exclusive BACARDI HOUSE PARTY from 8pm until late.

When	June 12
Where	L1 The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon 4-1-1 Toranomon Minato-ku, 105-0001
Official Website	https://www.instagram.com/goldbaratedition

Osaka

Recently, Osaka welcomed a luxurious new landmark to the vibrant and bustling city.

Waldorf Astoria Osaka (Recently opened)

One of the world’s most iconic hotels has recently opened up in Osaka. With a stunning fusion of Art Deco and Japanese aesthetics, interior architect André Fu has really pulled out all the stops with his latest project. The hotel has superb panoramic views of the city, super restaurants, state-of-the-art facilities, and amazing customer service. Once you’ve experienced Waldorf Astoria Osaka, you can’t really stay anywhere else. 

When	Recently Opened
Where	Waldorf Astoria Osaka
Official Website	www.instagram.com/waldorfastoriaosaka/

Nagano

Nagano is hosting a really special exhibition for Ghibli fans until the end of June.

Toshio Suzuki and Ghibli Exhibition (Until June 29)

Discover the life and legacy of Toshio Suzuki, the influential co-founder and producer behind Studio Ghibli’s most beloved films, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Spirited Away. This traveling exhibition, previously held in Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, and Okayama, highlights Suzuki’s often-overlooked contributions. Visitors can explore his vast library of 8,800 books and a personal archive of 10,000 films that shaped his creative vision. The exhibit also features immersive installations, such as a three-meter-tall Yubaba and Zeniba fortune-telling display, and numerous photo opportunities with iconic Ghibli characters, offering fans a deeper understanding of Suzuki’s creative world.

When	Until June 29
Where	Yokosuka Museum of Art
Admission Fee	2,000 yen *A reservation in advance is required.
Official Website	https://www.yokosuka-moa.jp/en/archive/exhibition/2024/20240320-831.html

Kyoto

The traditional city of Kyoto welcomes rainy season with some hydrangeas festivals.

Hydrangea Season at Mimuroto-ji Temple 2025 (Until early July)

Each year during Japan’s rainy season, Kyoto’s Mimuroto-ji Temple opens its hydrangea garden, showcasing about 20,000 flowers across 50 varieties. The temple, founded around 1,200 years ago, also appeals to history enthusiasts. This year’s event is expected from approximately June 1 to July 7, though dates may change depending on blooming conditions — check the official website for updates. Admission costs 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children. The temple is a 15-minute walk or five-minute taxi ride from Mimurodo Station on the Keihan Uji Line. Alternatively, buses 40 or 250 from JR Uji Station reach the area in about 20 minutes.

When	Until early July
Where	Mimuroto-ji Temple
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://www.mimurotoji.com/event/hydrangea.html

Himeji

Himeji, home to Japan’s iconic white castle, hosts one of the most unique and vibrant festivals this June.

Himeji Yukata Festival (June 21 – 22)

Yukata are traditional, lightweight Japanese garments worn by men and women, especially during summer and festivals, featuring vibrant colors and patterns. The Himeji Yukata Festival 姫路 浴衣まつり, held for over 250 years, celebrates this attire’s cultural significance. Most attendees wear yukata, with rental options available for visitors. Wearing a yukata offers perks like half-price Shinki Bus fares and discounts at Himeji attractions. The festival is held at various locations such as Himeji Castle, Jonan Park, and Otemai-dori, all easily accessible from Himeji Station, which is served by multiple train lines, making it convenient for attendees to reach the venues.

When	June 21-22
Where	Himeji Castle, Jonan Park, and Otemai-dori
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/shisei/0000030588.html

Aomori

One of Japan’s northernmost prefectures celebrates a beautiful and enchanting festival this month.

Lake Towada Sky Lantern Festival 2025 (June 14-15)

The Lake Towada Sky Lantern Festival in Aomori has been held for over 50 years, featuring around 2,000 LED-powered lanterns that light up the summer night sky and reflect beautifully on the lake. Lanterns cost 3,000 yen each, including entry for two people. Each evening concludes with a fireworks display. Visitors can also enjoy 50-minute boat cruises on the lake for a unique view of the festivities, priced at 2,000 yen for adults and 1,000 yen for children. Access is via a 2-hour, 15-minute bus ride from Hachinohe Station or by car, with on-site parking available.

When	June 14-15
Where	Lake Towada
Admission Fee	Lanterns: 3,000 yen 50-minutes boat cruise: 2,000 yen
Official Website	https://www.towada.travel/en/events/laketowada-waterfestival2025

Okinawa

People in Japan’s sub-tropical islands know how to dance and celebrate the arrival of the summer heat.

Eisa Night (June 13 – August 10)

As night falls, Okinawa City bursts into life with vibrant traditional performances. Beginning every summer on June 13 — the anniversary of the 2007 “Eisa City Declaration,” which reaffirmed the city’s dedication to eisa dance — the streets are filled with lively eisa shows at venues like Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park and Southeast Botanical Gardens. Audiences can enjoy performances by three to six youth dance troupes each night, with each group showcasing its own distinctive style and flair, making every evening a distinctive celebration of Okinawa’s rich cultural heritage.

When	June 13 – August 10
Where	Okinawa Suntory Arena Southeast Botanical Gardens Okinawa Prefectural General Athletic Park, Athletics Stadium Square
Admission Fee	Ticket prices are not yet known. For more information, please visit the official website.
Official Website	https://www.zentoeisa.com/news/n145.html

June in Japan offers a vibrant mix of cultural and seasonal experiences, even during the rainy season. From hydrangea and dance festivals to art and Pride events, there’s something for every traveler. The rain only adds to the charm, bringing lush scenery and fewer crowds.