Popular Weekend Events in Tokyo (May Updated)

"ULTRA JAPAN" is the Japanese version of the world's largest urban dance music festival "ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL" (UMF), which originated in Miami, USA in 1999. As a pioneer of dance music festivals, UMF is now held in 27 countries and regions around the world. Over the past 10 events, top DJs and music producers from around the world have continuously attracted audiences with their vibrant and energetic dance music. Attendees can enjoy underground music styles such as techno and tech house, as well as unique musical styles brought by emerging artists from both domestic and international scenes. As an urban music festival accessible within approximately 15 minutes by car from Shibuya, ULTRA JAPAN has consistently attracted audiences with its diverse appeal, including high fashion. In 2026, the festival will celebrate its 11th anniversary.

Impressionist master Claude Monet (1840-1926) was deeply fascinated by the ever-changing nature of light and shadow, dedicating his life to capturing their beauty on canvas. This exhibition features approximately 140 works, exploring Monet's allure as a landscape painter, including 41 of his own paintings, about 90 works from the Musée d'Orsay, and pieces from other museums and private collections in Japan.

The Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival, centered around Hakusan Shrine and Hakusan Park in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, showcases approximately 3,000 hydrangeas of about 20 varieties. Hydrangeas are one of Japan's most popular flowers, symbolizing the rainy season. Visitors can stroll among the colorful hydrangeas, enjoying their enchanting fragrance and soaking in the atmosphere of historical sites and the old town. The Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival is held annually from early to mid-June and also features special events and stalls selling food, drinks, and local products.

Unlike previous years, the 2025 event will be held in May. In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Senju-ju, a total of 14,010 fireworks will be launched, including the usual 13,000 fireworks and 1,010 (Senju) fireworks launched in commemoration of Senju-ju. The highlight is the high density and powerful fireworks that will be launched within an hour. In addition, there will be special fireworks, double fireworks, and laser effects. You can enjoy the dynamic night sky with fireworks, lasers, and continuous fireworks. The firing site is closer to the Senju side, but the riverbed on the Nishiarai side is wider, so it is recommended to watch from here to fully enjoy the show.

This exhibition marks the first public display of Katsushika Hokusai's (1760-1849) "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" (c. 1830-1833), a work transferred to the museum from the Inouchi Collection in 2024. One of Hokusai's most famous works—this set of 46 prints—will be exhibited in its entirety.

Head to Katsushika Ward in Tokyo for the annual Iris Festival held at Horikiri Iris Garden and Mizumoto Park. Horikiri Iris Garden boasts 6,000 irises of 200 varieties, while Mizumoto Park features 14,000 flowers of 80 varieties. In addition to the beautiful flowers, various events are held throughout the month, including live music performances.

In the rose garden of the Shindai Botanical Garden, approximately 400 varieties and 5,200 rose bushes of various types bloom in spring. The "Spring Rose Festival" is held during the peak blooming season. This rose garden has won the "World Rose Society Outstanding Garden Award" and houses many precious varieties, including the "Empress of the Jin Dynasty" named after the garden and "Helen Trobell" cultivated since the garden opened, as well as wild and ancient rose varieties. You can also admire all 19 rose varieties inducted into the World Rose Society Hall of Fame, including the globally renowned "Peace". Bask in the spring sunshine and stroll through this rose garden to enjoy an elegant time.

Want to enjoy hydrangeas in nature without leaving Tokyo for a weekend getaway? Then head to Wonderful Nature Village next to Tokyo Summerland for the Hydrangea Festival! The festival runs from June 6th to July 5th. Here, you'll see a sea of ​​white hydrangeas blooming on the hillside. In this area of ​​the vast park alone, there are over 15,000 hydrangeas, expected to reach peak bloom in late June. In addition to the white hydrangeas, the park also features beautiful blue hydrangeas native to Japan—the Black Princess Hydrangea and the Ochre Hydrangea. These varieties are expected to bloom in mid-to-late June.

This exhibition marks Mariko Mori's first solo museum exhibition in Japan in 24 years, since "Mariko Mori: Pure Land" at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo in 2002. This major solo exhibition brings together approximately 80 works from her more than 30-year career, encompassing various media including interactive installations, sculptures, video, photography, painting, and performance art. The exhibition will present representative works from Mori's early to recent periods in chronological order, and will also publicly display related documents and archives for the first time.