A Showcase of Tokyo Festivals! Tokyo Wasshoi Begins September 12, 2025 on Gyoko-dori Avenue

Enjoy Tokyo’s Traditional Festivals Over 3 Exciting Days!

Picture courtesy of the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, Tokyo and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Picture courtesy of the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, Tokyo and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Picture courtesy of the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, Tokyo and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

The TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Cultural Program “Tokyo Wasshoi” will be held September 12 - 14, 2025 on Gyoko-dori Avenue, which runs from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace grounds.

During the festivities, a stage and yagura (*) will be set up on Gyoko-dori Avenue, where Tokyo’s uniquely diverse festivals and traditional performing arts will be showcased.

The event is organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture), an organization that promotes the city’s arts and culture.

This will be a special three-day event where you can experience Tokyo’s diverse festivals and traditional performing arts in the heart of the city.
*Yagura: An elevated platform constructed for performances such as dance.

A Taste of Festivals from Across Tokyo and Edo Culture!

At Tokyo Wasshoi, you can not only enjoy festivals and traditional performing arts performances, but also get a taste of Edo culture.
Next, we introduce highlights of the event to check out before you visit.

Picture courtesy of the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, Tokyo and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Picture courtesy of the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, Tokyo and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Picture courtesy of the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, Tokyo and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Picture courtesy of the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, Tokyo and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)

Highlight 1: Performances by Groups from Across Tokyo

Tokyo Wasshoi will feature performances by groups active throughout Tokyo.

A highlight is the Edo Firefighters’ Ladder-Top Stunts, a traditional art created by Edo town firefighters and designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. It will be performed by the Edo Shobo Kinenkai (Edo Fire Brigade Memorial Association)

Additionally, traditional performing arts dating back to the Edo period are a must-see, including Asakusa Shrine’s Binzasara Dance by the Asakusa Shrine Binzasara Kai, typically offered on the first day of the annual Sanja Festival.

A lineup of vibrant, festive acts rooted in everyday life will also be performed, such as Awa-Odori by the Joint Team from Koenji Awa-Odori Association and folk dances like Bon Odori by the Japanese Folk Dance Federation of Tokyo.

Your spirits are bound to be lifted by these performances packed with Tokyo’s charm and diversity.

Highlight 2: Explore Edo Culture at Experience Booths

In addition to stage performances, the venue will feature Edo Culture Experience Booths and an accessible viewing area. It will be a space where tourists, Tokyo residents, and performers can enjoy the festivities together, transcending language and accessibility barriers.

Experience Booth Details:

• Mikoshi Experience: Take a commemorative photo in a happi coat while posing as if you’re carrying a mikoshi (*).
• Hachimaki Experience: Wrap a towel into a hachimaki, an essential part of festival attire, and explore the venue freely. It’s sure to get you into the festive spirit.
• Origami Experience: Try your hand at folding origami, a pastime enjoyed even during the Edo period. You can take your finished creation home as a souvenir.
• Kago Ride Experience: Ride a kago (palanquin), used by commoners in the Edo period, and get a feel for what travel was like at the time. It’s perfect for taking photos.

*Mikoshi: A sacred palanquin used to carry deities during festivals.

Tokyo Wasshoi: Building Excitement for Major Sports Events

Tokyo Wasshoi is part of the TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Cultural Program.

In 2025, as Tokyo hosts the World Athletics Championships and the Deaflympics, the TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Cultural Program will be launched as a new initiative that carries forward and builds upon the cultural legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Through three distinct art projects, the program will highlight the vibrancy of Tokyo’s arts and culture scene, promote inclusivity, and enhance the excitement of both sporting events through the power of artistic expression.

This autumn, come experience Tokyo’s vibrant festival culture at Tokyo Wasshoi in Marunouchi.

Event Summary

Event Name: TOKYO FORWARD 2025 Cultural Program Japanese Festival “omatsuri" (Tokyo Wasshoi)
Dates: September 12 (Fri) - 14 (Sun), 2025
Venue: Gyoko-dori Avenue (Tokyo, Chiyoda, Marunouchi 2-2)
Access: A 1-minute walk from the Marunouchi Central Exit at Tokyo Station (all lines), or a 3-minute walk from Nijubashimae Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
Organizers: Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)
Official Website: https://tokyo-wasshoi.jp/eng/index.html

sponsored by the Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, Tokyo and Arts Council Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture)