Latest Events in Tokyo(June Updated)

"ULTRA JAPAN" is the Japanese version of the world's largest urban dance music festival "ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL" (UMF), which originated in Miami, USA in 1999. As a pioneer of dance music festivals, UMF is now held in 27 countries and regions around the world. Over the past 10 events, top DJs and music producers from around the world have continuously attracted audiences with their vibrant and energetic dance music. Attendees can enjoy underground music styles such as techno and tech house, as well as unique musical styles brought by emerging artists from both domestic and international scenes. As an urban music festival accessible within approximately 15 minutes by car from Shibuya, ULTRA JAPAN has consistently attracted audiences with its diverse appeal, including high fashion. In 2026, the festival will celebrate its 11th anniversary.

"The Great Van Gogh Exhibition" to be held! "Café Terrace at Night" and other works coming to Japan. "The Great Van Gogh Exhibition," a traveling exhibition of masterpieces by painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), will be held at the Ueno Royal Museum in Taito Ward, Tokyo. Masterpieces from the Kröller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands, which boasts one of the world's leading collections of Van Gogh works, will be on display in two parts.

The official name of Sensoji Temple comes from the Golden Dragon Mountain, and it is called "Golden Dragon Mountain Sensoji Temple", and the name "Golden Dragon Dance" comes from the name of this mountain. "Golden Dragon Dance" is a dance that started in 1958 to commemorate the reconstruction of the main hall of Sensoji Temple, Kannon Hall. This dance is based on the story of Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined in Sensoji Temple. According to legend, she appeared as a golden dragon that descended from the sky, and overnight she created a thousand pine trees that symbolize a good harvest. The 18-meter-long, 88-kilogram shining golden dragon dances gorgeously to the music of the celebration, and this scene is absolutely impressive.

The Katsushika Summer Fireworks Festival, located in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, is a beloved summer event that has been held for over half a century, brimming with the charm of the old town. In 2026, the festival will celebrate its 60th anniversary with approximately 20,000 fireworks and a drone show. A unique aspect of the festival is the extremely close proximity of the audience seating to the fireworks launch site, allowing spectators to experience the sounds and vibrations of the fireworks firsthand, resulting in consistently large and vibrant crowds.

This exhibition focuses on Yayoi Kusama's unique "Pop Art," exploring the breadth of her work. Her collages, filled with the same printed materials (such as airmail stickers), reflect both mass consumer society and the obsessions driving her creation. A three-dimensional work featuring a mannequin covered in macaroni similarly connects mass-produced food with Kusama's profound personal obsessions. This impulse for repetition extends to self-portraits and other works featuring the artist herself, and is widely disseminated across various media including prints, photographs, flyers, and exhibition posters.

Highlights Step into the world of "YOKAI" that has fascinated people across the globe. We invite you to enjoy this new sensory art entertainment exhibition where visitors of all ages—from children to adults—can "enjoy, learn about, and experience" the wonders of Yokai culture. Introduction YOKAI Immersive Experience Exhibition is the world's first immersive digital art museum where you can dive into Japan's proud Yokai heritage. This exhibition brings to life masterpieces such as "Hyakki Yagyo" (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), "Hyakumonogatari" (One Hundred Ghost Stories), and legendary creatures like Oni, Tengu, Kappa, and Tsukumogami (object spirits) using cutting-edge video technology and 3D modeling. Born from the rich imagination of ancient Japanese myths and folklore, these Yokai have transcended generations to be loved by people worldwide. Through advanced digital techniques—including 3DCG, projection mapping, and holographic screens—the humorous figures depicted in traditional Yokai paintings and caricatures (Giga) are dynamically animated. Combined with detailed physical 3D models, the museum recreates a realistic world of spirits. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Iwase Bunko Library (Japan's first museum for ancient books) and the Yokai Art Museum on Shodoshima, the exhibition provides in-depth commentary on Yokai art and culture. It unravels the history of these supernatural beings and reveals how they have evolved into the Japanese pop culture we know today.

As one of Tokyo's largest fireworks displays, approximately 15,000 fireworks are launched simultaneously from both banks of the river. Highlights include traditional "artistic fireworks" crafted by Japan's top pyrotechnicians, one of Tokyo's largest "15-inch diameter" fireworks, and the grand finale, a massive "Niagara Falls in the Sky" starry sky display. The deafening roar of the fireworks, launched so close to the audience, is also a major highlight of the show. This large-scale fireworks display, launched simultaneously from five locations, boasts improved quality and quantity, promising spectacular opening and closing ceremonies. A fireworks display will also be held in 2026 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Itabashi Ward Tourism Association.