The Best Things To Do in Tokyo This Month: July 2025
List of Contents:
Exhibitions and Art Shows
Festivals and Outdoor Events
Community and Family Events
Anime and Manga Events
Food and Drink Events
Film and Game Events
Related Posts
Tokyo Exhibitions and Art Shows in July
The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest
The Mori Art Museum will be exhibiting "The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest," a comprehensive overview of projects from architect Sou Fujimoto's design journey.
Date & Time
Jul 02-Nov 09・10:00-22:00・10:00-17:00 on Tuesdays, Open until 22:00 on September 23
Price
¥2300 for adults, ¥2000 for seniors, ¥1400 for university/high school students, free for children
Location
Mori Art Museum
More Info
admission price varies on weekends and holidays, online tickets are discounted
More Details
Joan Miró Exhibition
From March 1 to July 6, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum will host a retrospective dedicated to Joan Miró, one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists.
Date & Time
Mar 01-Jul 06・09:30-17:30・Fridays open until 8:00 p.m. / Last entry 30 minutes before closing / Closed: Mondays (except April 28 and May 5) and May 7
Price
¥2,300 / ¥1,300 for University Students / ¥1,600 for people over 65 years old
Location
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
More Details
Fe_Ca_Sn Exhibition at Kaamer
The exhibition Fe_Ca_Sn, showcasing the works of three Tokyo-based artists, is being held at Kaamer in Tokyo from June 27 to July 6.
Date & Time
Jun 27-Jul 06・12:00-21:00
Price
Free
Location
Kaamer
More Details
Kenjiro Okazaki Exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
Kenjiro Okazaki's first major Tokyo retrospective highlights groundbreaking works, exploring the transformative power of form across media.
Date & Time
Apr 29-Jul 21・10:00-18:00
Price
Location
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 1F/3F
More Details
Ando Teru Exhibition: The Sculptor of The Hachiko Statue
This exhibition revisits the sculptor behind Shibuya's beloved Hachiko statue, marking 80 years since his death.
Date & Time
Jun 21-Aug 17・10:00-20:00
Price
¥1000
Location
The Shoto Museum of Art
More Info
Closed on Mondays (except for July 21, and August 11, 2025), July 22(Tue.), and August 12(Tue.), 2025
More Details
Exhibition: World Fair in Japan 1970-2005
Architecture fans will delight in this deep dive into Japan's Expo designs, from Osaka in the '70's to Aichi 2005's eco-conscious pavilions.
Date & Time
Mar 08-Aug 31・10:00-16:30
Price
Free
Location
National Archives of Modern Architecture
More Info
Closed on Mondays, except public holidays (closed the following day instead)
More Details
Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man Who Planted Japanese Animation
Explore the life and legacy of Isao Takahata, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, through rare art and materials from his iconic films, including Grave of the Fireflies, opening this summer at Azabudai Hills Gallery.
Date & Time
Jun 27-Sep 15・10:00-20:00・Last Entry 19:30
Price
¥1,200-¥2,000
Location
Azabudai Hills Gallery
More Details
Tokyo Festivals and Outdoor Events in July
Tokyo Racecourse Fireworks 2025
The theme for 2025 is 'J-Pop Best,' and the fireworks will be set off to famous songs in keeping with the 100th anniversary of the Showa era. The fireworks will be synchronized with music on the vast horse racing track, which is approximately 2 kilometers long. All seats are reserved, so you can enjoy the fireworks in comfort without worrying about crowds, and facilities such as restrooms and food booths are available for people of all ages to enjoy the fireworks in comfort. The venue is only a short walk from the nearest station, making it easy to visit from within Tokyo. In order to bring out the world view of the music to the fullest, the fireworks display is carefully calculated in terms of color, shape, height, and even the afterglow when the fireworks fade away. The most notable feature is the dynamic fireworks display, which is shot off at a distance of only 100 meters from the bleachers.
Date & Time
Jul 2, 2025・19:30-20:40
Price
¥5,000 and up
Location
JRA Tokyo Racecourse
More Details
HandMade In Japan Festival
Now in its 17th year, HandMade In Japan Fes' returns with 3,000 creators from across the country for a weekend celebrating craft, culture and design. Held at Tokyo Big Sight, the event features two themed market zones: Accessories & Fashion and Interior & Lifestyle. Visitors can also enjoy workshops, live painting, stage performances and handmade food.
Date & Time
Jul 19-20・11:00-19:00
Price
¥1,300 - ¥2,500
Location
Tokyo Big Sight
More Details
Tenjin Festival 2025
With over 1,000 years of history, the Tenjin Festival at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka is one of the three major festivals in Japan. On the first day of the event, there are prayers for safety and prosperity at the shrine, and on the second day, the festivities really kick off with parades and fireworks. With a river procession of 100 boats and a fireworks display, the Tenjin Festival is a celebratory extravaganza. Every year, the festival's original kobai (red-blossomed Japanese plum) firework, which opens in the shape of the ume-bachi family crest, is launched in honor of Tenjin-sama, the patron deity of scholarship and learning. There are also many other unique fireworks to be enjoyed throughout the fireworks spectacle.
Date & Time
Jul 24-25・15:00~
Price
Free
Location
Kema Sakuranomiya Park
More Details
Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival 2025
The Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, which clocks in at 90 minutes in length, is one of the largest fireworks festivals in Tokyo. The origin of this festival is the Ryogoku no Kawabiraki Hanabi, which started in 1733 as a memorial event for those who perished during a famine and disease outbreak the year before. The festival, which combines the sophisticated skills of pyrotechnicians with the emotional landscape of old Tokyo, features dynamic performances by fireworks artisans. Fireworks are launched from two different sites along the Sumida River (first site: between Sakurabashi Bridge and Kototoi Bridge; second site: between Komagata Bridge and Umaya Bridge). Though both sites boast an incredible array of fireworks, the fireworks competition at the first site is not to be missed.
Date & Time
Jul 26, 2025・19:00-20:30
Price
Free
Location
Taito Riverside Sports Center
More Details
Fairfield by Marriott's Michi-no-eki Aquarium Experience in Wakayama
Guests staying at Fairfield by Marriott Wakayama Kumano Kodo Susami are invited to a special behind-the-scenes tour at the Susami Town Shrimp and Crab Aquarium.
Date & Time
Jul 26, 2025・16:00-17:00
Price
FREE, EXCLUSIVE TO GUESTS OF FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT WAKAYAMA KUMANO KODO SUSAMI
Location
SUSAMI TOWN SHRIMP AND CRAB AQUARIUM
More Info
After booking your stay, please call Fairfield by Marriott Wakayama Kumano Kodo Susami (Tel: 0739-34-2105) to participate in the tour.
More Details
Akigawa Valley Hydrangea Festival 2025
Hosted on Mount Minamisawa, this mountain is said to be where Chuichi Minamisawa, who once lived in this area, began planting hydrangeas along the path to his parents' grave. Continuing to plant them for 50 years, today there are over 15,000 hydrangeas blooming on the mountain.There are over 50 different varieties of hydrangeas here, including some rare types that are scarcely seen even within Japan. Surrounded by tall trees, the area becomes enveloped in a magical atmosphere for about a month starting in June, as vibrant blue, purple, and white hydrangeas bloom in full splendor.
Date & Time
Jun 07-Jul 06・09:00-17:00
Price
¥2,000
Location
Minamisawa Ajisai Mountain
More Details
Wonderful Nature Village Hydrangea Festival 2025
Wonderful Nature Village in Akiruno is home to over 15,000 blossoming flowers of an impressive 60 varieties. The hydrangea area covers 30,000 square meters that spreads along a hiking trail, so visitors can walk through the stunning scenery.
Date & Time
Jun 07-Jul 06・09:00-17:00
Price
¥850
Location
Wonderful Nature Village
More Info
Free for elementary school children, admission to the dog park is also included with your ticket
More Details
My Melody & Kuromi Anniversary Party at Sanrio Puroland and Harmonyland
To celebrate My Melody's 50th anniversary and Kuromi's 20th anniversary, Sanrio Puroland and Harmonyland theme parks will have new attractions, entertainment, photo spots, merchandise and food.
Date & Time
Jan 17-Dec 31・・Specific event and attraction dates may vary
Price
Location
Sanrio Puroland
More Details
Tokyo Live Music and Night Life Events in July
Candlelight: Magical Movie Soundtracks
Enjoy iconic Disney and Pixar songs live under the glow of candlelight at Kanze Noh Theater. A magical evening of movie music awaits!
Date & Time
Jul 21, 2025・15:05-16:10
Price
¥4,200-¥8,100
Location
Kanze Noh Theatre Ginza
More Details
Candlelight : A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi at Christ Shinagawa Church
Enjoy the enchanting music of Joe Hisaishi at Christ Shinagawa Church, with a candlelit performance of iconic Studio Ghibli scores by the Fleurs Quartet.
Date & Time
Jun 27-Jul 04・16:45-17:50
Price
¥3,800 - ¥7,200
Location
Christ Shinagawa Church
More Details
Candlelight : A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi
Experience the music of Joe Hisaishi like never before at a candlelit tribute concert in Tokyo's Kanze Noh Theater, featuring iconic Studio Ghibli scores performed live by Ensemble Themis.
Date & Time
May 24-Jul 21・
Price
¥4000 - ¥8200
Location
Kanze Noh Theatre Ginza
More Details
Tokyo Community and Family Events in July
More events coming soon.
Tokyo Anime and Manga Events in July
Bleach: The Locus of the Brave II
From June 11 to July 13, dive into the world of Bleach with this special Tokyo exhibition! Explore exclusive production materials, behind-the-scenes footage, immersive experiences, and stylish photo spots. Also, don't miss the mysterious "Kurosaki" corner and tons of exclusive Bleach goods.
Date & Time
Jun 13-Jul 13・11:00-20:00
Price
TBA
Location
Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou-Park
More Details
© Sotsu, Sunrise
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Exhibition
A special exhibition of the latest work in the Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuuX (Siege Ax) -Beginning-, is currently being held.
Date & Time
May 24-Aug 11・11:00-19:00
Price
Free
Location
Anime Tokyo Station
More Details
My Hero Academia Original Art Exhibition
The globally acclaimed manga series My Hero Academia is being honored with a special exhibition in Tokyo, celebrating creator Kohei Horikoshi's artistic journey and the series' conclusion after a remarkable 10-year run. This exhibition offers fans a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of one of Japan's most successful modern manga series up close.
Date & Time
Jun 21-Aug 31・10:00-20:00
Price
¥2200
Location
CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO
More Info
Discounts for students
More Details
Leiji Matsumoto Manga Exhibition
The "Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition: A Journey of Creation" exhibit at Tokyo City View showcases more than 300 original drawings, including Matsumoto's early works and never-before-seen content from "Galaxy Express 999" and "Space Pirate Captain Harlock."
Date & Time
Jun 20-Sep 07・10:00-20:00
Price
Location
Tokyo City View
More Details
Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition
In 2003, Tokyo was blessed with the Ghilbli 3D sculpture exhibition. Now, 22 years later, it is back and bigger than ever. Dive into the worlds of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Pom Poko with full-scale sculptures from the films. You can even see the Savoia S-21 flying boat from Porco Rosso.
Date & Time
May 27-Sep 23・09:30-20:00・Last Entry at 19:00
Price
¥1,900
Location
Warehouse TERRADA B&C HALL
More Details
Tokyo Food and Drink Events in July
Morning Farm Experience & Field Breakfast at Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu
A hands-on farming adventure at Wataya Farm awaits, organized exclusively for guests of Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu.
Date & Time
Jul 13, 2025・07:00-09:00
Price
¥1,500 per adult, free for children of elementary school age and younger
Location
Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu
More Info
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty (boots recommended), plus a hat, towel and water bottle. Gloves will be provided for adults; children should bring their own gloves.
More Details
Le Petit Chef
ANA InterContinental Tokyo recently announced the opening of Le Petit Chef, a cinema dining restaurant with projection mapping.
Date & Time
Feb 07-Jul 31・12:00-22:00・Three Seatings
Price
¥14,000-¥21,000
Location
ANA InerContinental Tokyo
More Details
Pierre Hermé Paris Afternoon Tea at Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar
Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar is providing a "classic" afternoon tea service in collaboration with Pierre Hermé from June 1, 2025.
Date & Time
Jun 01-Jul 31・
Price
¥7,500
Location
Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar
More Info
¥11,000 includes a macaron gift
More Details
Sapporo Beer The Perfect Black Label Wagon Event
Sapporo's Perfect Black Label Wagon is touring at 13 stops celebrating their flagship draft beer around the country. Guests can enjoy Sapporo beer and other exclusive goods at the event.
Date & Time
Apr 09-Aug 24・・Please check event details for each venue
Price
Experience passes: ¥1200 (Tokyo), ¥1000 (other locations)
Location
Roppongi Hills Arena
More Details
Asian Spice Afternoon Tea – A Fragrant Feast of Spices and Dim Sum
ANA InterContinental Tokyo is offering Asian Spice Afternoon Tea – A Fragrant Feast of Spices and Dim Sum at Karin Chinese Restaurant.
Date & Time
May 01-Aug 31・11:30~・Three Sittings, 2-hour limit: 11:30 - 14:-00 - 17:30
Price
¥8,855
Location
Karin Chinese Restaurant
More Info
Enjoy an optional free-flow drink plan for an extra ¥3,000 per person
More Details
Mesm Tokyo's Afternoon Exhibition Chapter 14: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, First Half
Mesm Tokyo is offering a special afternoon tea program titled 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, First half' at its bar and lounge, Whisk.
Date & Time
Jun 01-Aug 31・14:00~
Price
¥7,000
Location
Bar & Lounge Whisk, Mesm Tokyo
More Details
Mori no Beer Garden's 40th Edition
Mori no Beer Garden is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue and an all-you-can-eat drinks menu.
Date & Time
Apr 15-Sep 23・16:30-22:00・Weekends and Holidays: 12:00-22:00. From July 19 to August 31: 14:00-22:30, Weekends and Holidays: 12:00-22:30
Price
¥6,000-¥7,000 for adults
Location
Niko Niko Park, Meiji Jingu Gaien
More Details
(c)Kristin Perers
Bills Spring-Summer 2025 Menu
The all-day dining restaurant Bills (stylized as bills) starts its spring-summer 2025 menu at all eight locations in Japan from April 22.
Date & Time
Apr 22-Oct 15・
Price
Breakfast-Brunch ¥3,000-¥3,999
Location
bills Ginza
More Info
Dinner ¥5,000-¥5,999
More Details
Mesm Tokyo's Bistronomy Lunch & Dinner Program: Ballet Cinderella 2025
Mesm Tokyo is offering a collaborative lunch and dinner program with the New National Theatre, Tokyo: Ballet Cinderella.
Date & Time
Jun 20-Oct 26・11:30-22:00
Price
Lunch Program: ¥7,600, Dinner Program: ¥15,800
Location
Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
More Info
Prices include consumption tax and 15% service charge
More Details
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba's BBQ Terrace Ablaze Is Open
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba's open terrace, Ablaze, offers a luxurious BBQ experience with panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and Tokyo Tower.
Date & Time
Apr 19-Oct 26・
Price
Course menus start at ¥6,800. Prices include tax and service charge.
Location
Hilton Tokyo Odaiba
More Details
Tokyo Film and Game Events in July
See the Goblet of Fire at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
From April 18 to September 8, 2025, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo celebrates the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Date & Time
Apr 18-Sep 08・
Price
Adult tickets start from ¥5,000; juniors ¥4,150; children ¥3,000 (prices may vary).
Location
The Making of Harry Potter - Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
More Details
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Japan Times
9 hours ago
- Japan Times
Ghibli's Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
Rather than a single-minded lone auteur, Isao Takahata was a receptive collaborator at heart. That's the thrust of a new exhibition dedicated to the works and creative process of the acclaimed animation director and Studio Ghibli cofounder, who died in 2018. 'The man who planted Japanese animation' opened on June 27 at Tokyo's Azabudai Hills Gallery. It's an exhibit best appreciated through its details; its displays are as meticulously assembled as the works of the late director of 'Pom Poko' and 'Grave of the Fireflies.' The show is very much one of paper. Though there are, of course, anime cels and finished animations, the exhibition unearths vast amounts of archival photographs, sketches, memos, storyboards, watercolors, aided by informative wall texts in English, with the occasional Chinese and Korean. As a result, viewers are steeped in the tactile laboriousness employed by Takahata and the animators of his generation, which seems to fly in the face of the rise of AI in the animation and creative industries at large. Takahata encouraged collaboration and the exhibition showcases works by his team members, such as image boards for "Pom Poko" illustrated by animators Yoshiyuki Momose and Shinji Otsuka. | © 1994 Isao Takahata / Studio Ghibli, NH 'The man who planted Japanese animation' gives considerable attention to Takahata's lesser known works, including his commercial flop debut feature in 1968, 'Little Norse Prince Valiant,' about a folk prince fighting black magic. A sizable space is devoted to Takahata's 'communal, democratic' approach to teamwork. The director (who himself didn't draw) was keen to incorporate opinions, ideas and designs from his animators on all areas of the film. Display cases show the extensive collaborative effort by the staff, including its youngest animator, Hayao Miyazaki, whose memos made strong arguments for realistic depictions of the villagers and featured design proposals for a troll and an ice mammoth, which became significant to the film. A highlight in the 'Little Norse Prince Valiant' gallery is a 'tension chart,' translated into English as 'emotion curve,' for the film, a painstakingly hand-drawn chart of rises and falls in drama, plotted against the individual emotions of twenty characters. One of the hallmarks of Studio Ghibli films is the way even small movements and actions of the characters can convey great emotion or intention. Even in moments of high drama or extreme comedy, they react in recognizable and quotidian ways — a slumping shoulder, a mindful door-closing, a ravenously consumed meal. The exhibition evidences the hard and meticulous work that goes into making animation. | Thu-Huong Ha The gallery spaces devoted to Takahata's TV work, which includes the domestic and global hit 'Heidi, Girl of the Alps,' convey how he and Miyazaki were building these skills well before Studio Ghibli existed. They focused on depicting everyday life vividly, through characters' interactions with food, for example. Not surprisingly, Miyazaki features as a prominent character in his own right in the exhibition, and his contributions are underscored. 'Meeting Miyazaki was significant,' Takahata says in a video about their process. 'He didn't learn from me, but I'm sure he learned a lot from our work together.' In the sections devoted to Takahata's best known features, there is plentiful archival material for diehards. The 'Grave of the Fireflies' gallery contains location-scouting photos from the 1988 war film, including several photos that inspired the memorable pole against which the main character slumps against and dies in the opening scene. The 'Pom Poko' room exhibits a long display case of image boards illustrated by animators Yoshiyuki Momose and Shinji Otsuka, giving fans a chance to see their early ideas in vivid riotous splendor. A caption quoting Takahata — 'I think of this film as a documentary' — is a simultaneously funny and poignant remark on the zany, moralistic film about Tama Hills supernatural tanuki losing their home to human urban over-development. A color simulation board for Kaguya's kimono by Kazuo Oga from "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" film shows Takahata's method of stylization. | © 2013 Isao Takahata, Riko Sakaguchi / Studio Ghibli, NDHDMTK The final section is dedicated to 'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,' Takahata's last film which was released in 2013. A video shows Takahata and his team at work; the director explains his technique, which I think of as selective realism. In his films, some aspects of a given scene might be intricately detailed while others are barely sketched in. In 'Princess Kaguya' in particular, the coloring is pale, relying on watercolor, and many scenes have no margins or look half-finished. Takahata explains he didn't want to visualize too much on the part of the viewer. 'Humans are more imaginative,' the director says in the video. 'They can feel empathy even through depersonalized drawings.' The last gallery space contains drawings from the film's two most memorable scenes, one in which the princess is dancing for joy under cherry blossoms and one in which she's running out of fear and fury under a full moon. Clips of the final products loop side-by-side above, one exuberant, and one literally breathtaking, their propelling motion a dynamic finale to Takahata's exacting life's work. . 'The man who planted Japanese animation' is on view at Tokyo's Azabudai Hills Gallery through Sept. 15. For more information, visit
Tokyo Weekender
a day ago
- Tokyo Weekender
The Best Things To Do in Tokyo This Month: July 2025
Here is what's happening across Tokyo for the month of July. Check out exhibitions, festivals, events and more! List of Contents: Exhibitions and Art Shows Festivals and Outdoor Events Community and Family Events Anime and Manga Events Food and Drink Events Film and Game Events Related Posts Tokyo Exhibitions and Art Shows in July The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest The Mori Art Museum will be exhibiting "The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest," a comprehensive overview of projects from architect Sou Fujimoto's design journey. Date & Time Jul 02-Nov 09・10:00-22:00・10:00-17:00 on Tuesdays, Open until 22:00 on September 23 Price ¥2300 for adults, ¥2000 for seniors, ¥1400 for university/high school students, free for children Location Mori Art Museum More Info admission price varies on weekends and holidays, online tickets are discounted More Details Joan Miró Exhibition From March 1 to July 6, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum will host a retrospective dedicated to Joan Miró, one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists. Date & Time Mar 01-Jul 06・09:30-17:30・Fridays open until 8:00 p.m. / Last entry 30 minutes before closing / Closed: Mondays (except April 28 and May 5) and May 7 Price ¥2,300 / ¥1,300 for University Students / ¥1,600 for people over 65 years old Location Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum More Details Fe_Ca_Sn Exhibition at Kaamer The exhibition Fe_Ca_Sn, showcasing the works of three Tokyo-based artists, is being held at Kaamer in Tokyo from June 27 to July 6. Date & Time Jun 27-Jul 06・12:00-21:00 Price Free Location Kaamer More Details Kenjiro Okazaki Exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo Kenjiro Okazaki's first major Tokyo retrospective highlights groundbreaking works, exploring the transformative power of form across media. Date & Time Apr 29-Jul 21・10:00-18:00 Price Location Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 1F/3F More Details Ando Teru Exhibition: The Sculptor of The Hachiko Statue This exhibition revisits the sculptor behind Shibuya's beloved Hachiko statue, marking 80 years since his death. Date & Time Jun 21-Aug 17・10:00-20:00 Price ¥1000 Location The Shoto Museum of Art More Info Closed on Mondays (except for July 21, and August 11, 2025), July 22(Tue.), and August 12(Tue.), 2025 More Details Exhibition: World Fair in Japan 1970-2005 Architecture fans will delight in this deep dive into Japan's Expo designs, from Osaka in the '70's to Aichi 2005's eco-conscious pavilions. Date & Time Mar 08-Aug 31・10:00-16:30 Price Free Location National Archives of Modern Architecture More Info Closed on Mondays, except public holidays (closed the following day instead) More Details Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man Who Planted Japanese Animation Explore the life and legacy of Isao Takahata, co-founder of Studio Ghibli, through rare art and materials from his iconic films, including Grave of the Fireflies, opening this summer at Azabudai Hills Gallery. Date & Time Jun 27-Sep 15・10:00-20:00・Last Entry 19:30 Price ¥1,200-¥2,000 Location Azabudai Hills Gallery More Details Tokyo Festivals and Outdoor Events in July Tokyo Racecourse Fireworks 2025 The theme for 2025 is 'J-Pop Best,' and the fireworks will be set off to famous songs in keeping with the 100th anniversary of the Showa era. The fireworks will be synchronized with music on the vast horse racing track, which is approximately 2 kilometers long. All seats are reserved, so you can enjoy the fireworks in comfort without worrying about crowds, and facilities such as restrooms and food booths are available for people of all ages to enjoy the fireworks in comfort. The venue is only a short walk from the nearest station, making it easy to visit from within Tokyo. In order to bring out the world view of the music to the fullest, the fireworks display is carefully calculated in terms of color, shape, height, and even the afterglow when the fireworks fade away. The most notable feature is the dynamic fireworks display, which is shot off at a distance of only 100 meters from the bleachers. Date & Time Jul 2, 2025・19:30-20:40 Price ¥5,000 and up Location JRA Tokyo Racecourse More Details HandMade In Japan Festival Now in its 17th year, HandMade In Japan Fes' returns with 3,000 creators from across the country for a weekend celebrating craft, culture and design. Held at Tokyo Big Sight, the event features two themed market zones: Accessories & Fashion and Interior & Lifestyle. Visitors can also enjoy workshops, live painting, stage performances and handmade food. Date & Time Jul 19-20・11:00-19:00 Price ¥1,300 - ¥2,500 Location Tokyo Big Sight More Details Tenjin Festival 2025 With over 1,000 years of history, the Tenjin Festival at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka is one of the three major festivals in Japan. On the first day of the event, there are prayers for safety and prosperity at the shrine, and on the second day, the festivities really kick off with parades and fireworks. With a river procession of 100 boats and a fireworks display, the Tenjin Festival is a celebratory extravaganza. Every year, the festival's original kobai (red-blossomed Japanese plum) firework, which opens in the shape of the ume-bachi family crest, is launched in honor of Tenjin-sama, the patron deity of scholarship and learning. There are also many other unique fireworks to be enjoyed throughout the fireworks spectacle. Date & Time Jul 24-25・15:00~ Price Free Location Kema Sakuranomiya Park More Details Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival 2025 The Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, which clocks in at 90 minutes in length, is one of the largest fireworks festivals in Tokyo. The origin of this festival is the Ryogoku no Kawabiraki Hanabi, which started in 1733 as a memorial event for those who perished during a famine and disease outbreak the year before. The festival, which combines the sophisticated skills of pyrotechnicians with the emotional landscape of old Tokyo, features dynamic performances by fireworks artisans. Fireworks are launched from two different sites along the Sumida River (first site: between Sakurabashi Bridge and Kototoi Bridge; second site: between Komagata Bridge and Umaya Bridge). Though both sites boast an incredible array of fireworks, the fireworks competition at the first site is not to be missed. Date & Time Jul 26, 2025・19:00-20:30 Price Free Location Taito Riverside Sports Center More Details Fairfield by Marriott's Michi-no-eki Aquarium Experience in Wakayama Guests staying at Fairfield by Marriott Wakayama Kumano Kodo Susami are invited to a special behind-the-scenes tour at the Susami Town Shrimp and Crab Aquarium. Date & Time Jul 26, 2025・16:00-17:00 Price FREE, EXCLUSIVE TO GUESTS OF FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT WAKAYAMA KUMANO KODO SUSAMI Location SUSAMI TOWN SHRIMP AND CRAB AQUARIUM More Info After booking your stay, please call Fairfield by Marriott Wakayama Kumano Kodo Susami (Tel: 0739-34-2105) to participate in the tour. More Details Akigawa Valley Hydrangea Festival 2025 Hosted on Mount Minamisawa, this mountain is said to be where Chuichi Minamisawa, who once lived in this area, began planting hydrangeas along the path to his parents' grave. Continuing to plant them for 50 years, today there are over 15,000 hydrangeas blooming on the are over 50 different varieties of hydrangeas here, including some rare types that are scarcely seen even within Japan. Surrounded by tall trees, the area becomes enveloped in a magical atmosphere for about a month starting in June, as vibrant blue, purple, and white hydrangeas bloom in full splendor. Date & Time Jun 07-Jul 06・09:00-17:00 Price ¥2,000 Location Minamisawa Ajisai Mountain More Details Wonderful Nature Village Hydrangea Festival 2025 Wonderful Nature Village in Akiruno is home to over 15,000 blossoming flowers of an impressive 60 varieties. The hydrangea area covers 30,000 square meters that spreads along a hiking trail, so visitors can walk through the stunning scenery. Date & Time Jun 07-Jul 06・09:00-17:00 Price ¥850 Location Wonderful Nature Village More Info Free for elementary school children, admission to the dog park is also included with your ticket More Details My Melody & Kuromi Anniversary Party at Sanrio Puroland and Harmonyland To celebrate My Melody's 50th anniversary and Kuromi's 20th anniversary, Sanrio Puroland and Harmonyland theme parks will have new attractions, entertainment, photo spots, merchandise and food. Date & Time Jan 17-Dec 31・・Specific event and attraction dates may vary Price Location Sanrio Puroland More Details Tokyo Live Music and Night Life Events in July Candlelight: Magical Movie Soundtracks Enjoy iconic Disney and Pixar songs live under the glow of candlelight at Kanze Noh Theater. A magical evening of movie music awaits! Date & Time Jul 21, 2025・15:05-16:10 Price ¥4,200-¥8,100 Location Kanze Noh Theatre Ginza More Details Candlelight : A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi at Christ Shinagawa Church Enjoy the enchanting music of Joe Hisaishi at Christ Shinagawa Church, with a candlelit performance of iconic Studio Ghibli scores by the Fleurs Quartet. Date & Time Jun 27-Jul 04・16:45-17:50 Price ¥3,800 - ¥7,200 Location Christ Shinagawa Church More Details Candlelight : A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi Experience the music of Joe Hisaishi like never before at a candlelit tribute concert in Tokyo's Kanze Noh Theater, featuring iconic Studio Ghibli scores performed live by Ensemble Themis. Date & Time May 24-Jul 21・ Price ¥4000 - ¥8200 Location Kanze Noh Theatre Ginza More Details Tokyo Community and Family Events in July More events coming soon. Tokyo Anime and Manga Events in July Bleach: The Locus of the Brave II From June 11 to July 13, dive into the world of Bleach with this special Tokyo exhibition! Explore exclusive production materials, behind-the-scenes footage, immersive experiences, and stylish photo spots. Also, don't miss the mysterious "Kurosaki" corner and tons of exclusive Bleach goods. Date & Time Jun 13-Jul 13・11:00-20:00 Price TBA Location Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou-Park More Details © Sotsu, Sunrise Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Exhibition A special exhibition of the latest work in the Gundam series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuuX (Siege Ax) -Beginning-, is currently being held. Date & Time May 24-Aug 11・11:00-19:00 Price Free Location Anime Tokyo Station More Details My Hero Academia Original Art Exhibition The globally acclaimed manga series My Hero Academia is being honored with a special exhibition in Tokyo, celebrating creator Kohei Horikoshi's artistic journey and the series' conclusion after a remarkable 10-year run. This exhibition offers fans a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of one of Japan's most successful modern manga series up close. Date & Time Jun 21-Aug 31・10:00-20:00 Price ¥2200 Location CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO More Info Discounts for students More Details Leiji Matsumoto Manga Exhibition The "Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition: A Journey of Creation" exhibit at Tokyo City View showcases more than 300 original drawings, including Matsumoto's early works and never-before-seen content from "Galaxy Express 999" and "Space Pirate Captain Harlock." Date & Time Jun 20-Sep 07・10:00-20:00 Price Location Tokyo City View More Details Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition In 2003, Tokyo was blessed with the Ghilbli 3D sculpture exhibition. Now, 22 years later, it is back and bigger than ever. Dive into the worlds of My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Pom Poko with full-scale sculptures from the films. You can even see the Savoia S-21 flying boat from Porco Rosso. Date & Time May 27-Sep 23・09:30-20:00・Last Entry at 19:00 Price ¥1,900 Location Warehouse TERRADA B&C HALL More Details Tokyo Food and Drink Events in July Morning Farm Experience & Field Breakfast at Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu A hands-on farming adventure at Wataya Farm awaits, organized exclusively for guests of Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu. Date & Time Jul 13, 2025・07:00-09:00 Price ¥1,500 per adult, free for children of elementary school age and younger Location Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu More Info Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty (boots recommended), plus a hat, towel and water bottle. Gloves will be provided for adults; children should bring their own gloves. More Details Le Petit Chef ANA InterContinental Tokyo recently announced the opening of Le Petit Chef, a cinema dining restaurant with projection mapping. Date & Time Feb 07-Jul 31・12:00-22:00・Three Seatings Price ¥14,000-¥21,000 Location ANA InerContinental Tokyo More Details Pierre Hermé Paris Afternoon Tea at Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar is providing a "classic" afternoon tea service in collaboration with Pierre Hermé from June 1, 2025. Date & Time Jun 01-Jul 31・ Price ¥7,500 Location Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar More Info ¥11,000 includes a macaron gift More Details Sapporo Beer The Perfect Black Label Wagon Event Sapporo's Perfect Black Label Wagon is touring at 13 stops celebrating their flagship draft beer around the country. Guests can enjoy Sapporo beer and other exclusive goods at the event. Date & Time Apr 09-Aug 24・・Please check event details for each venue Price Experience passes: ¥1200 (Tokyo), ¥1000 (other locations) Location Roppongi Hills Arena More Details Asian Spice Afternoon Tea – A Fragrant Feast of Spices and Dim Sum ANA InterContinental Tokyo is offering Asian Spice Afternoon Tea – A Fragrant Feast of Spices and Dim Sum at Karin Chinese Restaurant. Date & Time May 01-Aug 31・11:30~・Three Sittings, 2-hour limit: 11:30 - 14:-00 - 17:30 Price ¥8,855 Location Karin Chinese Restaurant More Info Enjoy an optional free-flow drink plan for an extra ¥3,000 per person More Details Mesm Tokyo's Afternoon Exhibition Chapter 14: Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, First Half Mesm Tokyo is offering a special afternoon tea program titled 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, First half' at its bar and lounge, Whisk. Date & Time Jun 01-Aug 31・14:00~ Price ¥7,000 Location Bar & Lounge Whisk, Mesm Tokyo More Details Mori no Beer Garden's 40th Edition Mori no Beer Garden is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat barbecue and an all-you-can-eat drinks menu. Date & Time Apr 15-Sep 23・16:30-22:00・Weekends and Holidays: 12:00-22:00. From July 19 to August 31: 14:00-22:30, Weekends and Holidays: 12:00-22:30 Price ¥6,000-¥7,000 for adults Location Niko Niko Park, Meiji Jingu Gaien More Details (c)Kristin Perers Bills Spring-Summer 2025 Menu The all-day dining restaurant Bills (stylized as bills) starts its spring-summer 2025 menu at all eight locations in Japan from April 22. Date & Time Apr 22-Oct 15・ Price Breakfast-Brunch ¥3,000-¥3,999 Location bills Ginza More Info Dinner ¥5,000-¥5,999 More Details Mesm Tokyo's Bistronomy Lunch & Dinner Program: Ballet Cinderella 2025 Mesm Tokyo is offering a collaborative lunch and dinner program with the New National Theatre, Tokyo: Ballet Cinderella. Date & Time Jun 20-Oct 26・11:30-22:00 Price Lunch Program: ¥7,600, Dinner Program: ¥15,800 Location Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection More Info Prices include consumption tax and 15% service charge More Details Hilton Tokyo Odaiba's BBQ Terrace Ablaze Is Open Hilton Tokyo Odaiba's open terrace, Ablaze, offers a luxurious BBQ experience with panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and Tokyo Tower. Date & Time Apr 19-Oct 26・ Price Course menus start at ¥6,800. Prices include tax and service charge. Location Hilton Tokyo Odaiba More Details Tokyo Film and Game Events in July See the Goblet of Fire at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo From April 18 to September 8, 2025, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo celebrates the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Date & Time Apr 18-Sep 08・ Price Adult tickets start from ¥5,000; juniors ¥4,150; children ¥3,000 (prices may vary). Location The Making of Harry Potter - Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo More Details Related Posts The Ultimate Guide to Summer Festivals in Tokyo Unmissable Fireworks Festivals in Japan for Summer 2025 Japan in July: The Best Things To Do and Places To Visit
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Japan Times
Diva of dualities: Maria Seiren sings opera and noh in both a female and male voice
When opera singer Maria Seiren opens her mouth, you're never sure which voice you will hear. One moment she is singing an aria in a high, warbling soprano. The next, she switches to a booming tenor, effortlessly leaping back and forth in a duet with herself. The first-ever winner of talent show competition 'Japan's Got Talent' dazzles both with her ambivoce (Seiren's term for dual male and female singing voice) and her elaborate costumes and headdresses, designed by Mieko Ueda. Even offstage she rocks a flamboyant floral blazer and elegant long dark hair when we meet on the ground floor of the offices of MondoParallelo, her own opera production company. Seiren rejects rigid definitions and embraces experimentation. She masterfully mixes styles such as classical opera and traditional noh theater, high art and entertainment, as she blends the masculine with the feminine — in spite of, or maybe precisely because, she has had difficulties with gender roles from a young age. 'I never really cared about gender,' Seiren says. 'I never fully grasped the concept that men and women had to be one way or the other. 'My first consciousness of being transgender was the color of the randoseru (school backpack). Black randoseru is for boys, red randoseru for girls, but I wouldn't follow those rules. My father was always strict about gender roles ... he gave me a hard time. But my spirit wasn't broken. I was a fighter.' Thanks in part to her mother, who sang traditional songs to her as a child, Seiren developed a deep love for music and trained herself to maintain her higher vocal range through puberty. She had not, however, seriously considered entering music as a career until designer Junko Koshino invited her to sing at one of her fashion shows in 2013. Inspired by one of her icons, pop-opera queen Sarah Brightman, Seiren covered 'Time to Say Goodbye' for the event using her soprano and tenor voice switch. To her surprise, a YouTube video of the performance hit 15 million views. 'That was the first time I experienced singing as a professional in front of a lot of people,' Seiren says. 'Up until then I was just singing for fun. That experience opened my eyes to a lot of other possibilities — what if singing was my calling?' Maria Seiren has struggled with the rigidity of gender norms since childhood, but also didn't want to be stereotyped as the queer character on TV. She founded her own production company to ensure creative experimentation and freedom. | Yutaka Mori © 2025 Mondo Parallelo Inc. Looking back, Seiren says 2013 was a great year as it also kickstarted her close business partnership with Fumiaki Uemura, now general director of MondoParallelo. An advertising agency director, Uemura had no professional background in music when they met, but he knew many people in the world of entertainment and he had ideas on how Seiren could boost her budding career and stand out in the industry. He became her mentor, friend and, ultimately, her adoptive father. 'Back then, I was getting a lot of offers from TV to play the onee talent role, the comedic queer character. Those roles made me uncomfortable, so I turned the offers down,' Seiren says. '(Uemura) saw he needed to protect me from people who would want to exploit my talent and queerness. So he decided to legally adopt me.' While Seiren never attended music school, she began intensely training her operatic vocals under the guidance of Takehiro Shida , as well as her Italian pronunciation and mouth shape under vocal coach Francesca Miscio. When asked which of her two voices feels more authentically her own, Seiren says, 'They both feel true to me.' She differentiates the energy that she puts into vocal techniques. 'For soprano, I focus on the contraction in the upper area of my head and think of echo, vibration and softness,' she explains. 'When it comes to the tenor, I think of power, strength, intense energy and vibrations that reach the ground. Both ranges exist very naturally to me; switching comes naturally. Sometimes I don't even notice I've shifted from one to the other.' While Seiren's aim has always been limitless creativity, fusing opera and noh theater in particular was Uemura's idea, as part of his master plan to enhance Seiren's uniqueness in the highly competitive music industry. Initially, Seiren was unimpressed by the notoriously slow and rigid noh theater. 'It was actually emotionally painful when I first had to sit through it,' she confides, recalling her first exposure to noh in 2013. 'At the same time, I remember going to see another play called 'Toru'. After the play ended, I heard many people saying, 'Wow, the moon was so beautiful!' and I was like, 'What moon? There was no moon!'' Noh is a practice in minimalism: minimal movement, expression and set design. The true art of an experienced noh performer is igniting the audience's imagination with just a few gestures and pantomimes, such as gazing at an imaginary moon reflected in an imaginary bucket of water. Seiren knew the magic of noh had finally captured her after seeing a play called 'Kanawa.' During one scene when a namanari (half-demon) woman suddenly droops her head and curses, Seiren thought she saw a huge storm whirling behind her. 'I could see the storm that no one else could see!,' she says. Soon after, Seiren began training in noh dancing and acting with actor and teacher Akio Awaya and eventually entered the Kita-ryu School , one of the five branches of noh, which specializes in dynamic movement. Noh, she found, was more about silence and standing still than moving and singing. Profound sadness could be shown by wiping a single tear; there is a depth of art and emotion Seiren says she now always strives to bring out in her opera and noh collaborations. At the same time, she says the vocal techniques of opera and noh are not dissimilar. MondoParallelo's latest show, 'Keisei Aoshigure Torimono Emaki' (The Mystery of the Summer Rain Courtesan), combined classical opera, rock, disco, old-timey kayōkyoku pop ballads and enka folk songs. | Tetsuo Isowaki © 2025 Mondo Parallelo Inc. 'The biggest difference with singing is in opera you lift your face to project your voice and resonate with the stone ceiling. In noh, you lower your face to resonate your voice with the wooden floor of the stage,' she says. Seiren's goal in learning the history and traditional practices of noh is to more effectively mix the art form with other types of performance and to create something new instead of simply showcasing two things together on the same stage. 'In my show, the singing aspect is mostly opera and the movement and expression of my body is noh,' Seiren says. 'It's like taking two eggs, cracking them and mixing them together!' MondoParallelo's latest show, 'Keisei Aoshigure Torimono Emaki' (The Mystery of the Summer Rain Courtesan), was a particularly wild omelet, whipping together classical opera, rock, disco, old-timey kayōkyoku pop ballads and enka folk songs. A particularly illustrative scene: The cast of courtesans, in elaborate noh kimono and front-facing obi knots signifying their occupation, assume position in slow noh-step, then break out into disco hit 'She Works Hard for the Money' by Donna Summer. The show was the eighth production of noh and opera by MondoParallelo, the first being 'Otohana no Inori' (Prayer of the Song Flower) in 2020. The next opera-noh play, 'Yumekikyo' (The Bellflower of Dreams), where Seiren plays the historical figure Gracia Hosogawa, daughter of samurai general Mitsuhide Akechi, will premier in October at the Umewaka Noh Theater Hall . Seiren says the production will lean more heavily toward noh and there will be more professional noh actors joining the cast. 'Japan is usually not enthusiastic about art like opera and noh because they're considered boring. I was glad my voice could reach so many people,' says Seiren. Seiren has released four albums, including the diva's long-awaited 10th anniversary collection 'One More Time' on June 18. Though her career has spanned over a decade, the past two years have been the start of an exciting era for the opera diva: Seiren's participation in Japan's first ever 'Japan's Got Talent' in 2023, her victory and, a year later, her preliminary performance on 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' brought her fame not only throughout Japan, but worldwide. Moving forward, she hopes to continue to grow with her company. Most of all, however, Seiren intends to keep living and performing true to who she is. 'Especially for transgender kids,' she says. 'I want to encourage them to pursue their own dreams. I want them to see that anything is possible.' For more information, visit
