Best Things to Do and See in Tokyo in June | The Official Tokyo Travel Guide, GO TOKYO

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Updated: May 15, 2024

Is June a good time to visit Tokyo?

June in Tokyo means the beginning of a fascinating time of year: the rainy season. Purple and blue hydrangeas that burst into bloom all over the city are among the visual highlights. With no shortage of events (both indoors and out), there's always a lot to do and see in Tokyo in June.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in June?

June in Tokyo brings the rainy season, a type of monsoon. The weather is warm and humid. The daily average temperature is 23.2°C, or about 73.76°F. The humidity makes it feel warmer, so dress lightly. There's plenty of sunshine, too, but don't forget an umbrella.

Best events, festivals, and other things to do in June

Beer gardens in Tokyo

One great way for those over 20 (the legal drinking age in Japan) to cool off is at beer gardens. Almost anywhere you look—from the rooftops of department stores, to the beach at Odaiba, and the outer garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine—you'll find beer gardens serving food and drinks. Eager to escape the city center? Head west to Mt. Takao and enjoy Mt. Takao Beer Mount.

 

Sanno Festival (Sanno Matsuri)

Sanno Festival takes place in Akasaka, at Hie-jinja Shrine. Along with Kanda-matsuri Festival and Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, it's known as one of the three great festivals of Edo. At this traditional event, you can watch kagura dances with traditional musical accompaniment, and see a procession of children in costume. One highlight is the Jinkosai, where 500 people gather to parade through the city. This procession is typically held every other year and will take place in 2024 for the first time in six years.

 

Firefly festivals

Fireflies only appear around pristine bodies of water, and—if you're lucky—you can find some in Tokyo under the right conditions. From mid- to late June, Yuyake Koyake Fureai no Sato, located in Hachioji, hosts "Firefly Nights." There are also firefly events at Hana Biyori, next to Yomiuriland theme park. Fussa Firefly Festival, as the name indicates, is a firefly festival in Fussa City. Visit on a warm, clear night for the best results.

 

Hydrangea festival (Ajisai matsuri)

Hydrangeas bloom in early summer, and they look stunning on a day of mist and gentle rain. Special festivals celebrate them, and perhaps the best known is Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival (Ajisai Matsuri) at Hakusan-jinja Shrine, which features approximately 3,000 hydrangea plants. At Takahata Fudoson Temple's hydrangea festival, you can enjoy the sight of hydrangeas surrounding a five-story pagoda. And at Tokyo Summerland's Wonderful Nature Village, you can take your dog on a hike among the hydrangeas.

 

Japanese iris festival (Shobu matsuri)

Hydrangeas aren't the only floral stars in June—Japanese irises, too, look fabulous. These vibrant flowers can be seen in many colors at the Katsushika Iris Festival (Shobu Matsuri) held at Horikiri Shobuen Iris Garden and Mizumoto Park. You can also enjoy them at the Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens (near Tokyo Dome), Meiji Jingu's Inner Garden, and the Imperial Palace East Garden.

 

Tokyo aquariums

Go with the flow and spend a rainy day inside at one of Tokyo's many aquariums. Experience the soothing atmosphere of Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa, located near Shinagawa Station, which is achieved with diverse light and sound displays that differs by season, and by time of day. Shinagawa Aquarium, near Omori Kaigan, has popular sea lion and dolphin shows. Other great choices include Sumida Aquarium, adjacent to TOKYO SKYTREE, as well as Sunshine Aquarium, on the roof of World Import Mart Building in Ikebukuro.

 

Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia

"Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia" is one of the largest international short film festivals in Asia and is officially recognized by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2024, the festival will be held from Tuesday, June 4 through Monday, June 17 at several venues across Tokyo. The festival will present a collection of films that reflect our current moment. For the first time in the history of the festival, a short film that was entirely produced by AI will be shown. There will also be an online marketplace for short film creators and other content.
Note: Online screenings this year run from April 25 through June 30.

 

Torikoe Festival

Spectators flock to see the mikoshi (portable shrine) parade at Torikoe Festival, an annual event that takes place in June near Asakusa in the old heart of Tokyo. Visitors can also enjoy evening lantern light-ups, and more.

Event on This Month

 

Calendar

January January in Tokyo speaks of traditions. Start the New Year in good spirits and head to a temple or shrine for Hatsumode on January 1 and pray like the locals do for peace and good health. Some begin their sojourn the night before on New Year's Eve to hear temple bells chime 108 times as the new year dawns, but Hatsumode is drawn out and takes place over 2-3 days.
February Tokyo's festival and event card is varied in February. Visit Tokyo at this time of year and you'll be witness to festivals and events that honor ume (plum blossoms), banish devils, celebrate the efforts of runners and see an unusual take on Valentine's Day—only men are supposed to receive chocolate.
March Temperatures and moods begin to thaw in March, the month heralding the start of spring. While cherry blossoms or sakura appear at month's end and are eagerly awaited, the rest of March offers much to see and do.
April April in Tokyo is blooming marvelous. Many of spring's events have a floral focus, with the highly anticipated Sakura or cherry blossom season reigning supreme. Join in the hanami or flower viewing parties all over the city.
May May festivals and events begin with the latter half of cluster of Golden Week holidays. Greenery or Arbor Day (May 4) sees entry fees waived in many of the cities parks and gardens, while Children's Day (May 5) heralds the arrival of brightly colored carp or koi streamers festooned around the city.
June Visit Tokyo in June, and the weather begins to get steamy. Rainy season arrives, but not all days are marked by wet weather. Embrace the increasing humidity with the official opening of Tokyo's many beer gardens and imbibe in a glass of your favorite ale. From the lofty heights of the beer garden atop Mt. Takao to the elegant surrounds of Meiji Kinenkan, you'll find a beer garden for every occasion.
July From the booming sound of fireworks lighting up the night sky to the soothing sounds of fuurin wind chimes tinkling in the breeze, July in Tokyo is a sensory experience. Festivals and events ranging from spectacular fireworks shows and ancestral bon odori rites to the sonic wizardry of summer music festivals that attract the best of domestic and international artists.
August August sees Tokyo at it’s hottest, but a continuing cascade of fireworks, traditional obon dances, multicolored tanabata lantern events, and the height of official water park and beach season all provide welcome distractions.
September September means sayonara, or goodbye, to the soaring heat of summer. Nights begin to cool and temperatures become more bearable, but these changes also see the occasional typhoon. Many of the city’s beer gardens remain open, however, a reminder that there’s still fun to be had outdoors yet.
October October, the height of autumn, is one of the best times of year to visit Tokyo. From ongoing traditional festivals to art and cultural soirees to culinary-focused events celebrating the bounty of the season—the city's event card is full.
November Visit November in Tokyo and shade yourself in hues of yellow, orange, red and golden brown. With seasonal foliage at its finest, the month sees the arrival of Koyo, or changing autumn leaves. Bask in the rich-jeweled tones of the season at Rikugien Gardens—at night the grounds are illuminated—or delight in the vibrant yellows of the city's numerous ginko trees.
December Tokyo is dazzling in December–literally–when the city lights up with illuminations. The dark nights are an ideal canvas for intricate and elaborate light displays and the illuminations are a signature winter sight.

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