Shinjuku in June 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
In June, Shinjuku is mostly warm enough to wear short sleeves or light jackets. Also, being in Japan where humidity is high, especially during the rainy season, it will feel warmer than the actual temperature. As it's a comfortable season, you'll encounter many tourists going out to seasonal events in the city.
Shinjuku is famous for having "Shinjuku Station," which boasts the world's highest number of passengers, and is one of Japan's leading entertainment districts. Shinjuku, with its established department stores, cutting-edge commercial complexes, and Japan's number one entertainment district for nightlife, constantly attracts many people from both Japan and abroad.
In June 2025, this major Japanese city of Shinjuku will host events where you can enjoy traditional ceremonies at historic shrines as well as beautiful natural scenery unique to this season.
This time, we will introduce the highlights, basic information, dates, and access to the event venues.
Traditional Shinjuku Events in June 2025
Nagoshi no Oharae (Summer Purification Ritual)
"Nagoshi no Oharae" is a traditional ceremony at Hanazono Shrine, located in the middle of the metropolitan Shinjuku. Hanazono Shrine is famous as the guardian deity of Shinjuku and has been loved by locals for over 400 years.
"Nagoshi no Oharae" is a ceremony to purify the impurities accumulated during the first half of the year and pray for good health for the remaining half. "Nagoshi no Oharae" is conducted not only at Hanazono Shrine but at shrines throughout Japan in preparation for the arrival of full summer.
During "Nagoshi no Oharae," you purify yourself by passing through a giant ring woven from chigaya grass and pray for health and protection from evil. The vibrant green chigaya grass creates a cool atmosphere, and you can enjoy the shrine grounds surrounded by a refreshing air that feels different from usual.
Also, please take the opportunity to see the historic architecture of Hanazono Shrine, including one of Shinjuku's tallest torii gates and the beautiful vermilion main hall.
<Information>
Date: June 30, 2025
Access:
- Immediately from Tokyo Metro "Shinjuku-sanchome Station" Exit E2
- 7-minute walk from JR, Odakyu Railway, and Keio Railway "Shinjuku Station" East Exit
Admission: Free
Website: http://hanazono-jinja.or.jp/ceremony/
Yotsuya Suga Shrine Annual Festival
Source:Official website
At Yotsuya Suga Shrine, which has about 390 years of history, an annual festival is held during this time every year to thank the deities and pray for the prosperity of worshippers and abundant harvests.
The highlight of this traditional event is the ceremony of carrying a small box called "Mikoshi," which houses the deity, through the streets. The sight of people wearing traditional happi coats carrying elaborately decorated golden Mikoshi while chanting loudly is impressive. Especially at night, the Mikoshi and venue are illuminated, creating a magical festival atmosphere.
Also, on June 7 and 8 during the festival period, food stalls offering classic festival cuisine will appear. While enjoying Japan's traditional events, please also savor uniquely Japanese festival foods such as takoyaki and candied fruits.
This is recommended for those who want to experience Japan's quintessential festival scene with powerful Mikoshi and children in yukata (traditional summer kimono) enjoying the food stalls.
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Date: June 6-9, 2025
Access:
- 7-minute walk from Tokyo Metro "Yotsuya-sanchome Station"
- 10-minute walk from Tokyo Metro/JR "Yotsuya Station"
- 10-minute walk from JR "Shinanomachi Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://sugajinjya.or.jp/annual_event/
June in Shinjuku Has Few Events! Recommended Events in Shinjuku During Surrounding Months
In Shinjuku, major traditional events representing Tokyo are held in May and July, before and after June. Since May and July in Shinjuku have fewer rainy days than June, you can enjoy outdoor events without worrying about the weather in most cases.
There are big events that utilize the entire area of Shinjuku, the heart of Japan, so please check these out along with events held in June 2025.
Hanazono Shrine Grand Festival (May)
Source:Shinjuku Keizai Shimbun
At Hanazono Shrine, where the "Nagoshi no Oharae" is held in June, the shrine's largest traditional event "Grand Festival" takes place in May.
The Hanazono Shrine Grand Festival is held as a main festival in even-numbered years and as a shadow festival in odd-numbered years. During the main festival, two Mikoshi (portable shrines) from Hanazono Shrine participate, while in the shadow festival, eight Mikoshi from eight local areas each participate.
The highlight of the Hanazono Shrine Grand Festival is the spectacular sight of a large procession carrying Mikoshi parading down the main streets of Shinjuku, one of Japan's major metropolitan areas.
You can experience a unique festival where "tradition" and "modern" merge, as this sacred traditional event with deep history unfolds in Shinjuku, an area that usually leads the latest trends.
Additionally, it's interesting to compare the differences between the eight districts, as the decorations of the Mikoshi and the colors of traditional costumes differ for each district.
If you're interested in this powerful festival where spirited chants echo throughout Shinjuku, the center of Japan, please participate.
Information:
- Dates: May 24-26, 2025
- Access:
- Tokyo Metro "Shinjuku-sanchome Station" Exit E2: Immediate access
- JR/Odakyu Electric Railway/Keio Electric Railway "Shinjuku Station" East Exit: 7-minute walk
- Admission: Free
- Website: http://hanazono-jinja.or.jp/ceremony/
Shinjuku Eisa Festival (July)
Source:Official website
The "Shinjuku Eisa Festival" is an event where the traditional performing art of Eisa from Okinawa Prefecture is showcased on the main streets of Shinjuku.
Eisa is a traditional dance from Okinawa, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, performed to honor ancestors. Eisa is danced to Okinawa's unique folk songs, accompanied by Japanese drums, finger whistles, and the Sanshin, a traditional Okinawan percussion instrument.
The "Shinjuku Eisa Festival" began because Eisa's upbeat rhythm and bright atmosphere match the image of Shinjuku, one of Japan's representative entertainment districts. You can enjoy this lively festival where more than 20 Eisa teams dressed in colorful traditional costumes dance through the streets of Shinjuku.
Another attractive point of this event is that you can taste Okinawan specialty foods at the food booths. If you're interested in this special festival where Shinjuku is immersed in Okinawan culture for just one day, please participate.
Information:
- Dates: Late July 2025
- Access:
- Tokyo Metro "Shinjuku Station": 1-minute walk
- JR "Shinjuku Station" East Exit: 2-minute walk
- Toei Subway "Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station": 3-minute walk
- Seibu Railway "Seibu-Shinjuku Station": 5-minute walk
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.shinjuku-eisa.com/
June at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is One of the Peaceful Natural Landscapes Worth Seeing!
Source:Official website
"Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden" opened in 1906 as an imperial garden. It is a beautiful garden that symbolizes "modern Western garden" with elements of Japanese and European gardens fused together.
This garden is currently open to the public and is a spot where you can enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the year - cherry blossoms in spring, tiger lilies in summer, osmanthus in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter.
Especially in June, the hydrangeas with their magnificent purple flowers reach their peak bloom. Hydrangeas, which bloom in humid environments, are representative flowers of June when there are many rainy days in Japan. You can enjoy flowers in various colors such as purple, blue, and white.
Another attractive point of "Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden" is that you can enjoy walks in a calm atmosphere. How about spending an elegant time fully enjoying Japanese nature in the "Japanese Garden" where carefully maintained trees line the surroundings of a large pond?
The Shinjuku Event in June 2025 offers tourists a wonderful opportunity to experience one of Tokyo's most beautiful gardens during the rainy season when hydrangeas are at their peak bloom, creating a uniquely Japanese landscape that draws many visitors.
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Schedule: June 2025
Access:
- 5 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro "Shinjuku-sanchome Station" Exit E-5
- 5 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro "Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station" Exit 1
- 5 minutes walk from Toei Subway "Shinjuku-sanchome Station" Exit C1/C5
Admission Fee: Adults 500 yen / Seniors (65+) 250 yen / Students (High school and above) 250 yen / Junior high school students and younger free
Website: https://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/index.html
Three Recommended Tokyo Events for Visitors to Shinjuku in June
In June, various events are held in Tokyo besides Shinjuku. For example, there are highly notable traditional events in Tokyo, and seasonal nature events limited to this time of year.
Here are spots that are about 30 minutes by train from Shinjuku, so if you're visiting Shinjuku in June 2025, please check these out as well.
Sanno Matsuri Festival / Jinkou Sai Festival
Source:Official website
The "Sanno Matsuri Festival" of Hie Shrine is one of Japan's most well-known large-scale festivals.
Hie Shrine, famous as the guardian deity of the Imperial Palace, has long been cherished not only by the Imperial Palace but also by Tokyo residents for its benefits of warding off evil, matchmaking, and business prosperity.
The "Sanno Matsuri Festival" is the biggest traditional event of Hie Shrine, which can be called "the guardian deity of all Tokyo." In even-numbered years, the "Jinkou Sai Festival" features a grand procession of people in traditional costumes parading through the metropolis of Tokyo, including the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, offering a powerful festival experience.
In odd-numbered years, called "Yin Festival," the highlight is the "Child procession" which prays for the healthy growth of children. You can enjoy the unique and adorable festival scenery of children dressed in traditional costumes walking around.
If you're interested in one of Japan's greatest festivals, please participate.
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Schedule: June 7-17, 2025
Access:
- 3 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro "Akasaka Station" Exit 2
- 3 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro "Tameike-sanno Station" Exit 7
Admission Fee: Free
Website: https://www.tenkamatsuri.jp/
Torikoe Festival
Source:Go Tokyo
The "Torikoe Festival" is a grand festival with over 1,370 years of history at Torikoe Shrine. The shrine enshrines "Yamato Takeru," a hero from ancient Japanese legends, and is beloved by locals as a deity for warding off evil and promoting health.
At this traditional festival, visitors can experience the powerful spectacle of people carrying an incredibly heavy Mikoshi (portable shrine) - one of the heaviest in Tokyo - accompanied by loud chants. The sight of numerous adults working together to carry this magnificent Mikoshi, adorned with a golden phoenix on its roof, is truly impressive.
If you're planning to attend the Shinjuku Event in June 2025, the "Torikoe Festival" is a must-see for tourists looking to immerse themselves in authentic Japanese culture. The festival is particularly recommended in the evening when lanterns on the Mikoshi are lit, creating a magical atmosphere. The daytime's energetic ambiance transforms with an added solemnity in the evening, allowing you to enjoy Japanese traditions on a deeper level.
For those who want to experience a sacred yet lively Japanese festival, this is a perfect opportunity.
Information:
- Date: Early June 2025
- Access:
- 6 minutes walk from "Kuramae Station" on the Toei Subway
- 8 minutes walk from "Shin-Okachimachi Station" on the Toei Subway
- Approximately 8 minutes walk from the West Exit of "Asakusabashi Station" on JR
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/event/kanko/torikoematsuri.html
Katsushika Iris Festival
Source:Official website
The Katsushika Iris Festival is a seasonal event where you can enjoy the elegant purple flowers of irises that reach their peak in June.
At the Katsushika Iris Festival, you can enjoy breathtaking views of 20,000 iris plants blooming across two venues: Horikiri Iris Garden and Mizumoto Park. With over 200 varieties of irises, one of the most attractive points of this event is being able to appreciate the various shades of purple flowers, from deep to light colors.
Another secret to the popularity of Horikiri Iris Garden is the ability to view both the beautiful iris flowers and Tokyo's landmark "TOKYO SKYTREE" simultaneously. Visitors can fully enjoy this unique scenery where Tokyo's representative cityscape merges with seasonal nature - a view that can only be experienced here.
Additionally, hydrangeas also reach their peak bloom in Mizumoto Park at the same time as the irises. Why not enjoy this seasonally limited, gorgeous natural landscape where these two elegant purple flowers collaborate? This would be an excellent addition to your itinerary while visiting the Shinjuku Event in June 2025.
Information:
- Date: Late May to mid-June 2025
- Access:
- [Horikiri Iris Garden] About 10 minutes walk from "Horikiri Shobu-en Station" on the Keisei Line
- [Mizumoto Park] Get off at "Kanamachi Station" on JR or Keisei Line, transfer to Keisei Bus, and get off at "Mizumoto Park" bus stop (about 5 minutes walk)
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.city.katsushika.lg.jp/tourism/1000064/1028427.html
