Yanaka and Tokyo Retro Town in June 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
Yanaka Ginza, a shopping street located in Tokyo's Taito Ward, is a charming commercial district filled with a traditional, simple atmosphere. While June in Yanaka brings frequent rain during the rainy season, the warm climate allows for numerous events to take place.
Yanaka Ginza, which retains the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese downtown, is popular among international tourists for its many gourmet spots and cafes perfect for food walks. In this article, we'll introduce the highlights, basic information, event schedules, and access to venues.
Additionally, we'll introduce events held in the retro neighborhoods of "Asakusa" and "Ueno" around Yanaka Ginza, so please use this as a reference.
Special June 2025 Experiences Around Yanaka Ginza
Yanaka Ginza Bikkuri-ichi (Surprise Market)
Source:Official website
Yanaka Ginza regularly holds an event called Bikkuri-ichi. With nearly 80 years of history, this discount sale event occurs four times a year and runs for just one hour from 4 PM to 5 PM.
On Bikkuri-ichi days, at 4 PM, a bell rings throughout Yanaka Ginza announcing the start of the event. During Bikkuri-ichi, stores in Yanaka Ginza simultaneously display special bargain items, allowing shopping at prices lower than usual.
The event draws large crowds seeking deals. Since participating stores are predetermined, check the notice board at the Yanaka Ginza entrance to confirm participating shops.
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Date: June 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from JR and Keisei Nippori Station / 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Sendagi Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.yanakaginza.com/
Special June 2025 Experiences Around Asakusa
Torigoe Festival
Source:Go Tokyo
The Torigoe Matsuri, held every June in Tokyo's Taito-ku, is a festival of Torigoe Shrine. This traditional festival boasts about 1,400 years of history. During the final day of the four-day festival, the Sengan-Mikoshi, weighing approximately 4 tons, parades through the streets.
A Mikoshi is considered a divine vehicle that brings good fortune and wards off evil as it travels through the neighborhood during festivals. The excitement peaks at night, creating a magical atmosphere as numerous lanterns are lit, which is a must-see.
During the festival period, about 250 food stalls line the area around Torigoe Shrine. The intense festivities continue from 6 AM to 9 PM, so if you want to witness the power and energy of a Japanese festival firsthand, this is a must-visit event.
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Date: June 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from Kuramae Station on Toei Subway / 8-minute walk from JR Asakusabashi Station
Admission: Free
Eve Festival (Summer Purification)
Source:Official website
Every July, Asakusa Shrine in Asakusa holds a festival called Natsumoude. The Nagoshinoharae serves as the eve festival for Natsumoude and is an important ritual that announces the beginning of Natsumoude, which is held over one week.
At this festival, people pray to the gods to rid themselves of any negative influences that have affected their hearts and bodies during the first half of the year (from January 1st) and to spend the remaining half of the year in a positive way. While participation requires a reservation, online participation is also available, so you don't need to physically visit Asakusa Shrine to take part.
Participation requires an offering fee of 500 yen to the shrine. If you want to spend the second half of the year energetically, why not participate in Nagoshinoharae?
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Date: June 30, 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Toei Asakusa Line
Admission: 500 yen (participation fee)
Website: https://www.asakusajinja.jp/
Don't Miss the "Asakusa Shrine Summer Visit" Starting July 1st!
Source:Official website
Asakusa Shrine will host the grand festival Natsumoude from June 30th. Natsumoude is a festival held to pray for continued peace and safety for the remaining half of the year, after safely passing the first six months from the year's beginning on January 1st.
Natsumoude is a week-long festival from June 30th featuring traditional rituals and a Temple Fair, with the shrine beautifully illuminated at night. The stage will also host numerous events, including Garaku (traditional entertainment) and ancient Japanese Dance performances.
During Natsumoude, a Thatch ring will be installed at the shrine. It's considered good luck to pass through it, so please try it when you visit the festival.
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Date: June 30 - July 7, 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Toei Asakusa Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.asakusajinja.jp/
Ofujisan Plant Market
Source:TAITO Odekake Navi
The Ofujisan-no-Uekiichi is a summer tradition at Sengen Shrine in Asakusa, held in late May and June every year. During this event, many plant vendors gather at Sengen Shrine to sell beautiful flowers.
The festival period coincides with the beginning of Japan's rainy season, known as tsuyu.
The flowers and plants purchased at this event are famous for flourishing beautifully after purchase. Plants are sold on Yanagi Street near Sengen Shrine, which becomes a pedestrian-only road during the festival days.
Ofujisan-no-Uekiichi is the perfect event for those seeking healing through beautiful flowers. Since the venue, Sengen Shrine, is close to Sensoji, we recommend combining it with your Asakusa sightseeing tour.
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Date: May 30, 31 / June 27, 28
Access: 10-minute walk from Asakusa Station on Tokyo Metro and Tobu Isesaki Line / 13-minute walk from Asakusa Station on Toei Asakusa Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.asakusajinja.jp/sengenjinja/
Lively Hydrangea Festival
Source:Official website
Every June, Chokokuji Temple in Asakusa holds the Ikiiki-ajisai (Lively Hydrangea) Festival. In Japan, hydrangeas bloom abundantly during the rainy season in June, making hydrangea viewing events a popular tradition across the country.
At the Ikiiki-ajisai Festival, visitors can learn about hydrangeas through sales of colorful varieties and exhibitions of rare specimens. The event also features opportunities to taste cucumber soup, which helps prevent summer fatigue, and experience moxibustion therapy.
During the festival period, the temple grounds are filled with vibrant hydrangeas, offering visitors a peaceful and therapeutic experience.
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Dates: June 14-15, 2025
Access: 8-minute walk from Minowa Station or Iriya Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.otorisama.jp/ikiiki-ajisai/
Special June Experiences Around Ueno
Taiwan Festival™ TOKYO 2025
Source:Official website
Taiwan Festival™ TOKYO 2025, held annually in June at Ueno Park, is Japan's largest Taiwan cultural exchange event. Launched in 2014, this festival focuses on cultural exchange through food between Japan and Taiwan, attracting over 1 million visitors annually.
The venue features numerous food stalls offering Taiwanese specialties, making it a flagship event of Ueno Park. A special stage hosts traditional Taiwanese performing arts and entertainment, creating an exciting atmosphere.
Beyond food and drinks, visitors can explore booths showcasing Taiwanese culture and history. As it tends to get crowded, I recommend arriving early to enjoy the experience at a leisurely pace.
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Dates: June 19-22, 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station Park Exit
Admission: Free
Website: https://taiwanfes.org/
Shitamachi Highball Festival
Source:Official website
The Shitamachi Highball Festival, held in late June at Ueno Park, is an event celebrating the popular Japanese cocktail. Highball, a mixture of whiskey and soda, is a beloved drink in Japanese izakayas.
The event features various food vendors selling dishes that pair perfectly with highballs. Options include steak, takoyaki, Chinese dumplings, and more, allowing visitors to enjoy food and drinks to their heart's content.
Besides food stalls, the venue includes a stage area hosting various events. If you'd like to enjoy drinks in the verdant Ueno Park, this festival is worth visiting.
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Dates: Late June 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station Park Exit
Admission: Free
Website: https://tachinomi-fes.com/
Explore Tokyo's Retro Towns to the Fullest with a Local Guide Tour - Perfect for First-Time Visitors!
Are you interested in exploring Tokyo's retro towns but unsure how to navigate and enjoy the traditional spots and their rich history? Many visitors face this challenge.
Magical-trip offers numerous tours led by local guides who are fluent in both Japanese and English, making it easy for first-time Tokyo visitors to fully enjoy the city's retro towns with peace of mind.
Here, we'll introduce the retro town tours available through Magical-trip. If you're interested in Tokyo's retro towns, please use this as your reference.
Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town
If you want to experience local daily life in Tokyo's downtown area, we recommend joining the Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town. Don't miss the special Yanaka Event in June 2025, where the local community welcomes international audience with traditional performances and craft workshops!
This tour includes visiting Nezu Shrine, one of Tokyo's oldest shrines, enjoying drinks at a traditional house café, and painting your own beckoning cat. A highlight is walking through residential areas and experiencing the nostalgic Japanese atmosphere of old houses lining the streets.
Afterward, you'll visit Yanaka Ginza, where you can enjoy local cuisine through food sampling and shopping. An English-speaking guide well-versed in Yanaka's history accompanies the tour, so there's no need to worry about language barriers.
Meeting Point: Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nezu Station
Tour Area: Nezu, Yanaka
Start Time: 13:30
Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
The Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour is a 3-hour guided tour of Asakusa's tourist spots led by an English-proficient guide. As this is a small-group tour, you can leisurely enjoy Asakusa's famous attractions.
During the tour, you'll visit a traditional Japanese Tea room where you can experience premium matcha in a peaceful tatami room atmosphere. For lunch, you'll visit a Monja grilled restaurant in Asakusa's shopping district, where you'll learn to cook and enjoy Monja grilled under the guide's instruction.
Asakusa is home to numerous Temples and Shrines, and your knowledgeable guide will provide detailed historical explanations. If you're interested in experiencing traditional Japanese culture firsthand, we highly recommend joining this tour.
And while you're in the area, don't miss the special Yanaka cultural festival happening in June 2025, just a short distance from Asakusa.
Meeting Point: In front of Kaminarimon Police Box
Tour Area: Asakusa
Start Time: 11:00
All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno
The All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno is a guided experience with an English-speaking Japanese guide, exploring local Izakayas and Bars in Tokyo's Ueno district.
The tour takes you to Ueno's yatai village, packed with numerous Izakayas and Bars, where you can enjoy not only delicious drinks but also various Japanese dishes like yakitori, okonomiyaki, and oden. At each establishment, you'll experience the Japanese drinking culture of "nomihoudai" (all-you-can-drink) within a set time period.
The tour concludes with a visit to a ramen shop where you'll savor the finest ramen. As this is a small-group tour, you can enjoy pleasant interactions with other participants. It's a delightful tour where you can indulge in delicious cuisine while socializing with others.
Consider combining this evening tour with a daytime visit to the upcoming Yanaka Event in June 2025, featuring local artists and traditional performances.
Meeting Point: Ueno Station Hirokoji Exit
Tour Area: Around Ueno Station
Start Time: 18:00
