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Best Things to Do and See in Tokyo in May 2025: Area Events and Festivals

Best Things to Do and See in Tokyo in May 2025: Area Events and Festivals

Date published: 16 April 2025

Are you planning a trip to Tokyo in May? Lucky you! The spring season is perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Plus, you'll get to experience Japan's Golden Week, a series of consecutive national holidays that runs from late April to early May.

There are plenty of events and festivals happening in and around Tokyo during this time, so you'll never run out of things to do. Here, we'll introduce you to some of the most exciting events and festivals that you can attend.

(This article may contain promotions)

Table of Contents
  1. Is May a good time to visit Tokyo?
  2. What is the weather like in Tokyo in May?
  3. Theme Parks & Major Attractions
  4. Traditional Festivals
  5. Seasonal Flower Events
  6. Food & Other Festivals
  7. Recommended Tours & Activities in Tokyo for May

Is May a good time to visit Tokyo?

May is an excellent time for visiting Tokyo! During Golden Week (late April to early May), the city buzzes with energy, though expect crowds at major attractions. The weather is pleasant, with low humidity, great for exploring parks and gardens bursting with spring foliage.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in May?

In May, Tokyo enjoys pleasant spring weather, with average temperatures around 19.5°C (67°F), highs reaching about 24.3°C (76°F), and lows dipping to roughly 15.3°C (60°F). This comfortable climate is ideal for wearing denim, short-sleeve shirts, or light layers. Bringing a light jacket is a smart move for cooler evenings.

(Note: This is based on average weather data for Tokyo from 2019–2024.)

Theme Parks & Major Attractions

Tokyo Tower (Shiba Park): 333 Colorful Koinobori and a Surprise Sanma Streamer

(Image from previous event)
(Image from previous event)

For Children's Day on May 5, Tokyo Tower in Shiba Park will display 333 vibrant koinobori streamers at its main entrance—one for every meter of the tower’s height. Among the fluttering carp, don’t miss the playful 6-meter-long sanma-nobori (Pacific saury streamer), inspired by Tokyo Tower’s friendship with Ofunato City in Iwate, known for its sanma haul.

Event Details
  • Venue: Tokyo Tower, Main Entrance (1st floor)
  • Dates: March 25 – May 6, 2025
  • Official website

Tokyo Skytree Town (Oshiage): Koinobori Festival 2025 with 1,000 Streamers

Soramizaka (Last year's display) ©TOKYO-SKYTREETOWN
Soramizaka (Last year's display) ©TOKYO-SKYTREETOWN
Spotted garden eel and banded garden eel streamers (Last year) ©TOKYO-SKYTREETOWN
Spotted garden eel and banded garden eel streamers (Last year) ©TOKYO-SKYTREETOWN

From April 11 to May 6, Tokyo Skytree Town in Oshiage celebrates Children's Day with the Koinobori Festival 2025, featuring around 1,000 vibrant streamers across the complex. The event is supported by famous koinobori-producing areas like Kazo, Tatebayashi, and Kato, each adding their regional flair. Look closely to spot three quirky eel-themed streamers—two inspired by the spotted garden eel and one debuting in the likeness of a white-spotted garden eel, a nod to Sumida Aquarium.

Koinobori-shaped candy art (Image)
Koinobori-shaped candy art (Image)

At the special venue on East Yard 5F, kids and adults alike can join hands-on workshops like hand-painting paper koinobori with guidance from a Kazo craftsman, drawing mini koinobori postcards, and coloring candy-crafted fish from Asakusa’s Amezaiku Ameshin.

Event Details
  • Venue: Various locations within Tokyo Skytree Town
  • Dates: April 11 – May 6, 2025 (*Some streamers may be displayed for a shorter period)
  • Official website

Tokyo Disneyland (Maihama): Donald’s Quacky Duck City Parade Takes Over!

Donald’s Quacky Duck! Duck! Duck City! (C) Disney
Donald’s Quacky Duck! Duck! Duck City! (C) Disney

From April 8 to June 30, 2025, Tokyo Disneyland in Maihama hosts the fourth installment of its Disney Pal-Palooza series: Donald’s Quacky Duck! Duck! Duck City!. The park transforms into a dreamland created by Donald Duck himself, filled with his devoted fans—the “Quacky Ducks.” Don’t miss the lively “Quacky Celebration★Donald the Legend!” parade, held once or twice daily, where Disney friends throw a cheerful celebration in Donald’s honor.

Donald flowerbed at the entrance (C) Disney
Donald flowerbed at the entrance (C) Disney

Expect a full Donald takeover, from the entrance flowerbed to a giant monument in World Bazaar. Exclusive items like the honking Guwa-Guwa Stick, Donald-shaped buns, and marshmallow-topped Quacky Duck drinks add even more fun to the festivities.

Guwa-Guwa Stick: 1,500 yen / Accessories: 1,200 yen each (C) Disney
Guwa-Guwa Stick: 1,500 yen / Accessories: 1,200 yen each (C) Disney
Event Details
  • Venue: Tokyo Disneyland
  • Dates: April 8 – June 30, 2025
  • Time & Admission: Varies by date; see official website for details
  • Official website

Tokyo DisneySea (Maihama): Food & Wine Festival 2025

Images for illustrative purposes (C) Disney
Images for illustrative purposes (C) Disney

From April 8 to June 30, 2025, Tokyo DisneySea in Maihama invites guests to taste the world at its Food & Wine Festival. Across seven themed ports (excluding Fantasy Springs), sample globally inspired small plates and sweets perfect for strolling the park. Around 20 kinds of wine, plus limited-edition cocktails, beer, and soft drinks will also be available.

Images for illustrative purposes (C) Disney
Images for illustrative purposes (C) Disney

Highlights include a tropical cocktail at Yucatan Base Camp Grill, a fiery whiskey drink at Nautilus Galley, and a shimmering non-alcoholic Aurora Sparkle inspired by the AquaSphere at Casbah Food Court. Guests can also pick up adorable food-themed merch featuring Mickey, Chip, and Dale.

Images for illustrative purposes (C) Disney
Images for illustrative purposes (C) Disney

Enjoy live music from the Groovy Jammin’ Chefs and quirky performances from the Fun Custodial team, all set among vibrant floral and wine barrel displays throughout the park.

Event Details
  • Venue: Tokyo DisneySea
  • Dates: April 8 – June 30, 2025
  • Time & Admission: Varies by date; see official website for details
  • Official website

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo (Nerima): Goblet of Fire 20th Anniversary Experience

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo (Nerima): Goblet of Fire 20th Anniversary Experience

From April 18 to September 8, 2025, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter in Nerima will host a limited-time event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Step into the Great Hall to witness the iconic Goblet scene brought to life with flickering blue flames and name slips shooting out as the fire turns red—just like in the film.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.

Also debuting in Japan is the Prefects’ Bathroom, featuring colorful flowing faucets. The exhibit includes original props, creatures, and costumes, along with exclusive themed food and merchandise available only during the event.

Event Details
  • Venue: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
  • Dates: April 18 – September 8, 2025
  • Time: Varies by date
  • Admission: Adults 7,000 yen / Ages 12–17: 5,800 yen / Ages 4–11: 4,200 yen
    Evening tickets: Adults 5,000 yen / Ages 12–17: 4,150 yen / Ages 4–11: 3,000 yen (Entry only with tickets purchased via the official website or authorized agents)
  • Official website
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
    ワーナー ブラザース スタジオツアー東京
    • Address 1-1-7 Kasugacho, Nerima-ku, Tokyo 179-0074

Traditional Festivals

Meiji Jingu Spring Grand Festival (Shibuya)

Meiji Jingu Spring Grand Festival (Shibuya)

Held annually at the serene Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuya, the Spring Grand Festival honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Highlights include the sacred kagura dance Urayasu no Mai, inspired by a poem from Emperor Showa praying for world peace. Visitors can also enjoy traditional performing arts like bugaku, noh, and kyogen, performed on a special stage in front of the shrine.

Additional events include an archery tournament hosted by the Tokyo Kyudo Federation and a stunning display of floral offerings along the shrine corridor. The grounds are especially beautiful in early May, with blooming irises, dogwoods, and wisteria enhancing the peaceful atmosphere.

Event Details
  • Venue: Meiji Jingu Shrine
  • Dates: May 2–3, 2025
  • Time: Varies by event
  • Official website

Kanda Festival (Chiyoda): One of Tokyo’s Big Three Shinto Celebrations

The Kanda Festival returns to Chiyoda from May 8–15, 2025, with the main festivities taking place over the weekend of May 10 and 11. One of Tokyo’s three great festivals, it centers around Kanda Myojin Shrine and features grand processions of mikoshi (portable shrines), traditional music, and colorful pageantry.

On May 10, the all-day Shinkosai sees sacred palanquins and priests in Heian-style robes parading through Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara. From around 3 PM, the Tsuke-matsuri adds a festive touch with floats and costumed participants. The excitement continues May 11 as dozens of mikoshi return to the shrine in a powerful show of devotion and community pride.

Event Details
  • Venue: Kanda Myojin Shrine and surrounding areas
  • Dates: May 8–15, 2025 (Main events: May 10–11)
  • Official website
  • Kanda Festival
    • Address Chuo-dori (Akihabara) and others in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0021
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Ochanomizu Station (JR Chuo Main Line / Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / JR Sobu Line)
      5 minutes on foot
    • Phone Number 03-3254-0753

Asakusa Shrine Sanja Matsuri (Asakusa): Tokyo’s Giant Traditional Festival

Binzasara Mai (C) Asakusa Shrine
Binzasara Mai (C) Asakusa Shrine
Honsha Mikoshi Procession (C) Asakusa Shrine
Honsha Mikoshi Procession (C) Asakusa Shrine

One of Tokyo’s most iconic festivals, the Sanja Matsuri at Asakusa Shrine draws around 1.8 million visitors over three days. The highlight is the final day’s mikoshi togiyo, when three grand portable shrines (honsha mikoshi) parade through the streets along different routes, starting early in the morning.

Neighborhood Mikoshi Procession (C) Asakusa Shrine
Neighborhood Mikoshi Procession (C) Asakusa Shrine

On the second day, around 100 neighborhood mikoshi are carried with great intensity. Watch for tamafuri, a spirited shaking said to amplify the gods’ power. Festivities also include a grand procession with geisha performers, lively festival music, and the Binzasara Mai—a sacred dance designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Tokyo. Food stalls line the shrine and temple grounds, offering a true taste of local festival spirit.

Event Details
  • Venue: Asakusa Shrine
  • Dates: May 16–18, 2025
  • Time: Varies by event
  • Official website
  • Sanja Festival
    • Address Around Asakusa Shrine, 2 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0032
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line / Toei Asakusa Line / Tobu Isesaki Line (Tobu Skytree Line) / Tsukuba Express)
      7 minutes on foot
    • Phone Number 03-3844-1575

Seasonal Flower Events

Ashikaga Flower Park (Tochigi): Wisteria Festival 2025

(Photo: PIXTA)
(Photo: PIXTA)

From April 12 to May 18, 2025, Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi hosts its annual Great Wisteria Festival, a breathtaking celebration of over 350 wisteria trees blooming in soft waves of pink, purple, white, and yellow. The park’s centerpiece is a giant 160-year-old wisteria tree, spreading across a 600-tatami trellis, alongside a glowing 80-meter white wisteria tunnel and the dreamy Laburnum tunnel. Illuminations from April 19 create a magical nighttime experience, with CNN once calling the display a dreamlike scene on par with the Tree of Souls in Avatar.

Don’t miss the vibrant azaleas, either—over 5,000 bushes burst into color around the same time, creating a dazzling contrast under the spring sun. With rare Japanese varieties and dazzling views throughout the park, it’s one of the Kanto region’s must-see floral spectacles.

Event Details
  • Venue: Ashikaga Flower Park
  • Event Dates: April 12 – May 18, 2025
  • Light-Up: April 19 – May 18 (Roses lit up May 19–25)
  • Hours: April 12–18: 9 AM – 6 PM; April 19–24: 8 AM – 8:30 PM; April 25–May 6: 7 AM – 9 PM; May 7–18: 8 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Admission: Adults 1,200–2,300 yen / Children 600–1,200 yen
  • Official website
  • Ashikaga Flower Park
    あしかがフラワーパーク
    • Address 607 Hasamacho, Ashikaga, Tochigi 329-4216

Hitachi Seaside Park (Hitachinaka, Ibaraki): Spring Flower Relay “Flowering 2025”

Hitachi Seaside Park (Hitachinaka, Ibaraki): Spring Flower Relay “Flowering 2025”
Nemophila Blue Soft-Serve
Nemophila Blue Soft-Serve

From April 1 to June 1, 2025, Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka bursts into color with Flowering2025, a springtime celebration where blooms unfold like a floral relay—from daffodils in late March to tulips, nemophila, and finally roses in late May. The scale is stunning: one million daffodils, 270,000 tulips, 5.3 million nemophila, and 3,400 rose bushes across 120 varieties.

On select weekends, enjoy events like the Ibaraki Urban Greening Festival (April 27), a student brass band showcase (May 5), and spring rose concerts (May 24 & 31). Don’t miss park specialties like grilled ham skewers and Hitachi beef rice bowls, or seasonal treats like the popular Nemophila Blue Soft-Serve.

Event Details
  • Venue: Hitachi Seaside Park
  • Dates: April 1 – June 1, 2025 (Open daily during event)
  • Hours: 9:30 AM – 5 PM (Open from 7 AM on April 27 & 29, May 3–5)
  • Admission: 450 yen (Free for junior high students and under); 800 yen from April 4 to May 6
  • Official website

Food & Other Festivals

Oktoberfest 2025 in Odaiba: Germany’s Legendary Beer Festival Comes to Tokyo

Oktoberfest 2025 in Odaiba: Germany’s Legendary Beer Festival Comes to Tokyo

From April 25 to May 6, 2025, Odaiba hosts Japan’s only officially recognized Oktoberfest, bringing the spirit of Munich to Tokyo. Featuring 19 top breweries—including royal favorite Hofbräu and white beer icon Paulaner—you can sip authentic German beer from 1L and even 3L steins, each with unique designs.

Enjoy hearty German fare like sausages, schnitzel, giant pretzels, and pork knuckle, along with fish dishes like saba sandwiches and grilled Steckerlfisch. Live performances by DIE KIRCHDORFER®, the official Munich band, set the mood with German folk, rock, and even J-pop covers. Try on traditional costumes, ride a beer bike for photos, or take part in fun contests like the “Muscle Beer Challenge.”

Event Details
  • Venue: Odaiba Symbol Promenade Park – Central Plaza
  • Dates: April 25 – May 6, 2025
  • Hours: April 25 (opening day): 4 PM – 9:30 PM; Other days: 11 AM – 9:30 PM (Last entry 8:30 PM, last order 9 PM)
  • Admission: 500 yen (Free for elementary school students and under)
  • Official website

Meat Festival (Niku Fes®) 2025 (Odaiba): Battle for Tokyo’s Steak King!

Meat Festival (Niku Fes®) 2025 (Odaiba): Battle for Tokyo’s Steak King!
Wagyu lovingly crafted by a certified Nikushi® – Niku Ebisu 89BAL (Shibuya, Tokyo)
Wagyu lovingly crafted by a certified Nikushi® – Niku Ebisu 89BAL (Shibuya, Tokyo)

From April 26 to May 6, 2025, Meat Festival (Niku Fes®) 2025 takes over Odaiba with one of Japan’s biggest food events, featuring the Steak King Showdown. Top meat chefs from across the country present bold creations under the theme “Feast on Meat!!” Signature dishes include wagyu from Niku Ebisu 89BAL and premium meat sushi from Donabe Gohan Komezo.

The venue offers five seating areas, including a family zone, picnic lawn, VIP table service, and even a pet-friendly section. Daily live performances add to the energy, along with a beer garden offering 500 yen pours on select nights (April 28, 30 & May 1–2, 4 PM–9 PM) and a 10% discount at the Meat Fes Bazaar on the final day.

Event Details
  • Venue: Odaiba Special Site (Aomi District, Area P)
  • Dates: April 26 – May 6, 2025
  • Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM (Weekends & holidays from 10 AM; May 6 until 7 PM)
  • Admission: Free
  • Official website
  • Odaiba Special Site (Aomi District, Area P)
    お台場特設会場 お台場青海地区P区画
    • Address 1-1-16 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064

Recommended Tours & Activities in Tokyo for May

From colorful koinobori streamers flying for Children's Day on May 5, to the energetic chants of mikoshi bearers at Asakusa's Sanja Matsuri, and crowd-pleasing gourmet festivals under blue skies—May is packed with fun, festive ways to enjoy the season. Don’t miss your chance to join in!

(Note: This information is current as of April 2025. Please check official websites for the latest updates.)

Explore Tokyo in other seasons
Written by:
Kaori Kimura
Kaori Kimura

Kaori Kimura is a Japanese travel writer with roughly 20 years of experience in editing and publishing travel guides. After graduating from university, she worked at a publishing company for about 10 years, specializing in travel guides. She has undertaken numerous assignments both internationally, including in places like Paris, France, and Taiwan, as well as domestically in areas such as Hokkaido and Kyushu. Following this, she lived in Guangzhou, China for about two years as an expatriate spouse and contributed to local media, writing on economics and travel guides. Upon returning to Japan, she gained experience in editing and writing for web media. A key strength of hers is her involvement in creating travel guide articles for both inbound and outbound tourism. She possesses the highest level (HSK-6) of the standardized Chinese language proficiency test, level 2 in Japan's French language test, and EIKEN Grade Pre-1.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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