Summer in Japan

2 articles.

• Sumida River Fireworks Festival: The Complete Guide

  July 22, 2026

  Tokyo's oldest fireworks festival draws over a million people to the banks of the Sumida every summer. Here's what makes it worth planning around, and how to actually enjoy it.

• Obon and Bon Odori: Japan's Summer Festival of Lights and Dance

  July 19, 2026

  Every August, Japan pauses to welcome back the spirits of ancestors with lanterns, dancing, and neighborhood festivals. Here's what Obon actually is, and where to see it.