Ueno in May 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
Since moving to a neighborhood adjacent to Shinjuku in 2024, I've been visiting many cities in Tokyo including Ueno almost daily to explore its appeal and discover spots I can recommend to tourists. I updated this article in January 2025 to incorporate my findings from this research, along with the latest information for 2025.
Another reason for updating the article is the growing interest in tours that allow visitors to safely and deeply experience Ueno's nightlife. With countless izakaya (Japanese pubs) packed into Ueno, tourists visiting for the first time find it extremely difficult to discover the truly excellent spots beloved by locals.
This is why food tours led by knowledgeable local guides who know Ueno inside and out have been gaining popularity, as they take visitors through Ueno's maze of izakaya establishments.
In fact, Magical Trip's tour, which ranked #1 among all tours on Tripadvisor, has been receiving numerous applications.
If you want to experience truly local-favorite izakayas in Ueno, one of Tokyo's premier drinking districts, join the "All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno." Not only will you discover hidden gems that tourists rarely find, but you'll also experience the Japanese culture of "shime" (end-of-night ritual).
For those who love retro neighborhoods, we also recommend the "Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town," which takes you through Yanaka, Ueno's neighboring district, with a local guide. It's an efficient and immersive way to enjoy this deeply traditional and historic area of Yanaka.
We hope you'll have a wonderful time experiencing everything Ueno has to offer by joining a Magical Trip tour!
Introduction
In May, Ueno welcomes a pleasant season that marks the transition from spring to early summer. With average temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius and refreshing breezes, Ueno Park spreads out in beautiful fresh greenery.
Ueno is a district where traditional culture and contemporary art harmonize perfectly. While it's an educational area hosting cultural facilities like The National Museum of Western Art and Tokyo National Museum, it's also a vibrant district filled with bustling shopping streets and gourmet spots.
In this article, we'll introduce the highlights, basic information, schedules, and access methods for events and festivals held in this captivating Ueno area in May 2025. Additionally, we'll share information about events held in Asakusa, where Japanese atmosphere remains strong, and Yanaka, which exudes downtown charm. Please enjoy this special season where you can fully experience Tokyo's culture and history.
2025 Year-round Event calendar in Ueno↓
・Ueno: List of Events & Festivals for 2025
Table of Contents
Traditional Events in Ueno for May 2025
Special May Experiences in Ueno
Natural Attractions in Ueno's May
Ueno Gourmet Event May 2025
Major Festivals and Events Around Ueno Area in May 2025
Traditional Events in Ueno for May 2025
Gojotenjin Shrine Annual Festival
Source:TAITO Odekake Navi
Gojotenjin Shrine, located within Ueno Park, has long been known as a shrine dedicated to the patron deity of medicine.
The Gojotenjin Shrine Annual Festival is held every year on May 25th. Particularly during the Shinko-sai Festival, held once every three years, a grand procession featuring the "Sengan mikoshi" (a portable shrine over 3 meters tall) parades through the town.
Since 2024 was the year of the Shinko-sai Festival, 2025 will be held on a regular scale.
Although smaller in scale, the 2025 festival will feature Satokagura (traditional dances offered to deities) and town mikoshi parades, allowing visitors to enjoy traditional festival customs.
Additionally, archery competitions and taiko drum performances will be held, offering the opportunity to experience various Japanese traditional arts at once. Many food stalls will line the streets, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the festival's energy.
<Information>
Date: May 25, 2025
Access: 10 minutes walk from JR "Ueno Station"
10 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line "Ueno Station"
13 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line "Ueno Station"
5 minutes walk from Keisei Railway "Keisei-Ueno Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.gojoutenjinsha.com/
Shitaya Shrine Festival
Source:Official website
The Shitaya Shrine Festival is known as the earliest summer festival in Tokyo's downtown area. This festival alternates between "Hon matsuri (Main Festival)" and "Kage matsuri (Minor Festival)" every other year.
During Hon matsuri years, a grand festival is held where many people carry 3-meter-tall portable shrines. In Kage matsuri years, only the portable shrines owned by each neighborhood association parade through the town.
Since 2024 was a Hon matsuri year, 2025 will be a "Kage matsuri" year.
The highlight of Kage matsuri is the Joint Mikoshi Procession. The sight of multiple neighborhood associations' portable shrines gathering and parading together symbolizes community unity and creates a magnificent spectacle.
Different from the large-scale Hon matsuri, this will be a special experience where you can feel the warmth of the local community and the continuation of traditions.
<Information>
Date: Mid-May 2025 (In 2024, it was May 10-12)
Access: 6 minutes walk from JR Yamanote Line "Ueno Station"
2 minutes walk from Subway Ginza Line "Inaricho Station"
5 minutes walk from Oedo Line "Shin-okachimachi Station"
2 minutes walk from Toei Bus "Shitaya Shrine-mae" stop
Admission: Free
Website: https://shitayajinja.or.jp/event/
Special May Experiences in Ueno
Satsuki Festival
Source:TAITO Odekake Navi
The "Satsuki (Satsuki azalea) Festival," held every May in Ueno Park, the cultural and artistic center of Tokyo, is a special event where you can experience Japan's traditional horticultural culture. At this festival, you can closely observe the essence of Japan's traditional Bonsai culture.
Bonsai is a traditional Japanese art form that originated in Japan, where miniature trees are grown in pots to express condensed natural landscapes.
The venue displays various varieties of satsuki azalea bonsai that have been cultivated with years of technique and passion. Their appearance is as beautiful as a miniature Japanese garden, and I was breathless with amazement. The beauty of harmony between nature and human handiwork made me appreciate the depth of Japanese culture anew.
The venue also features stalls selling traditional crafts, antiques, and specialty products from various regions of Japan, offering a comprehensive experience of Japanese culture and flavors.
<Information>
Date: Mid-May 2025 (2024 was May 16-19)
Access: 3 minutes walk from JR "Ueno Station"
3 minutes walk from Keisei Line "Keisei-Ueno Station"
3 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro "Ueno Station"
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.satsukikyokai.or.jp/satsuki_fes/
Natural Attractions in Ueno's May
Hydrangeas in Ueno Park
In May, Ajisai (Hydrangea) buds begin to swell in Ueno Park, heralding the arrival of early summer. The vast park contains about 50 varieties and 1,000 hydrangea plants, one of the largest collections in Tokyo.
The colors begin to develop from late May and reach their peak in mid-June. During full bloom, hydrangeas in various colors including blue, purple, pink, and white bloom simultaneously, delighting visitors' eyes. Especially after rain, the hydrangeas adorned with water droplets shine like jewels, showing an even more beautiful appearance.
The hydrangeas in Ueno Park, set in a space where Japanese traditional scenery and seasonal changes interweave, will surely leave special early summer memories for visitors.
<Information>
Date: Late May to June 2025
Access: 2 minutes walk from JR Yamanote Line/JR Keihin-Tohoku Line/JR Takasaki Line/JR Utsunomiya Line/Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line "Ueno Station"
1 minute walk from Keisei Main Line "Keisei-Ueno Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jimusho/toubuk/ueno/midokoro/shizen
Ueno Gourmet Event May 2025
UenoDe.Food Fes
Source:PR TIMES
"UenoDe.Food Fes," a regular food festival coloring Ueno Park's early summer, is an outdoor event combining food and entertainment. While the 2025 event details are currently undetermined, it typically takes place from late May to early June.
The 2024 event was themed around Japan-Korea cultural exchange, with over 30 food stalls setting up at the Ueno Park Takenodai Plaza (Fountain Plaza).
I participated and thoroughly enjoyed both countries' food cultures, featuring Korean traditional cuisine, Japanese Grilled oysters, and Kushiyaki (Skewered grilled food) all in one place.
In the refreshing early summer climate, you can experience warm interactions with locals while enjoying diverse food and entertainment in historic Ueno.
<Information>
Date: 2025 TBD (2024 was May 31-June 2)
Access: 2 minutes walk from JR/Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/Hibiya Line "Ueno Station"
1 minute walk from Keisei Line "Keisei-Ueno Station"
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.instagram.com/uenodefoodfes/?igsh=dXB6Z2V3MTh4NWsz&utm_source=qr
(Reference: 2024)
Major Festivals and Events Around Ueno Area in May 2025
Sanja Matsuri (Asakusa)
Source:Official website
The Sanja Matsuri, the biggest annual festival at Asakusa Shrine, takes place in Tokyo's Asakusa area. This festival, which began over 1,300 years ago, is one of Tokyo's largest traditional festivals, attracting more than 2 million visitors each year during the Ueno Event May 2025 season.
While the festival spans three days, I highly recommend witnessing the grand Mikoshi procession on the second day. More than 100 Mikoshi (portable shrines) and their bearers gather from 44 Asakusa districts, lifting the shrines amid spirited chants.
A particular highlight is the traditional practice called "Tamafuri," where bearers vigorously shake the Mikoshi in all directions. This ritual has been passed down through generations as a traditional prayer for the community's safety and prosperity.
During the festival, the areas around Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine become incredibly lively, offering a full immersion into Japanese traditional culture.
<Information>
Dates: May 16, 17, and 18, 2025 (planned)
Access:
- 7-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
- 7-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Toei Subway Asakusa Line)
- 7-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tobu Line)
- 10-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tsukuba Express)
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.asakusajinja.jp/sanjamatsuri/
May Regular Festival (Yanaka)
Source:Official website
Tobi Fudoson, known as Ryukozan Shoboin, is a historic temple established in 1530.
The temple's principal deity is famous for an episode where it flew from afar to grant people's wishes. Because of this, the temple continuously attracts worshippers praying for aviation safety and travel protection. Recently, drone operators and professional golfers have also begun visiting to pray, due to the connection with "flying."
During the May grand festival, Gomaku ceremonies are performed. Gomaku is a traditional Buddhist prayer ritual using fire, conducted to pray for the fulfillment of worshippers' wishes and protection from misfortune. Please note that advance registration is required to attend.
The temple offers unique Omamori (Lucky charms) for "flight safety" and "travel safety," making it worth visiting to pray for a safe journey. Take this opportunity to experience this uniquely Japanese blessing and pray for the continued safety of your travels.
<Information>
Date: May 28, 2025
Access: 7-minute walk from Minowa Station (Tokyo Metro)
Admission: Free
Website: https://x.com/FlyingGodTemple
Edo Firefighters' Memorial Service
Source:edosyoubou.jp
At the Edo Firefighters' Memorial Service, you can witness firefighting traditions and techniques that have continued since Japan's Edo period (1603-1868).
The highlights are Matoi furi and Traditional Japanese Ladder Balancing. A Matoi is a symbol of firefighting teams from that era. During Matoi furi, performers skillfully manipulate a 20-kilogram Matoi that stands 2.4 meters tall.
Additionally, in Traditional Japanese Ladder Balancing, performers showcase acrobatic feats atop tall assembled ladders. I was extremely excited to see them performing inverted positions and balancing on one foot on unstable ladders.
This is a rare opportunity to experience up close these precious performances that are difficult to witness in modern times. Please come and see these powerful moments with your own eyes.
<Information>
Date: May 25th, 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from:
- Tobu Skytree Line "Asakusa Station"
- Tokyo Metro Ginza Line "Asakusa Station"
- Tsukuba Express "Asakusa Station"
- Toei Subway Asakusa Line "Asakusa Station" Exit A4
Admission: Free
Website: https://asakusa-shinmon.jp/
After Enjoying Ueno Events During the Day, Join a Local Guide for Bar Hopping at Night!
If you want to fully experience nightlife in Japan at Ueno, a popular tourist destination, we recommend joining a drinking tour guided by someone who knows the local area inside out.
Hidden Izakayas (Japanese pubs) and bars scattered throughout the back alleys can be difficult for foreign tourists to find and enter on their own. However, with an English-speaking local guide, you can experience authentic atmosphere without worrying about language barriers.
This 3.5-hour tour takes you to three carefully selected establishments in Ueno's downtown area. At these hidden gems chosen by the guide, you can enjoy traditional Izakaya culture and interact with local people. You'll taste Japanese sake and seasonal dishes alongside regular customers at authentic Japanese establishments that aren't tourist-oriented.
This tour is recommended for those interested in Japanese Izakayas, those who want to interact with locals, and those who want to safely enjoy Ueno at night. Especially for foreign tourists visiting Japan for the first time, it will be a valuable opportunity to discover deep Japanese culture.