Shibuya is a bustling district located in Tokyo that attracts many people. At its heart is the famous "Scramble Crossing". This intersection is used by up to 3,000 people at a time and 500,000 people a day during peak times, and is said to symbolize Japan's urban landscape.
Shibuya is also a hub for Japanese youth culture, with many of Japan's current trends starting here. It's a district that is constantly undergoing redevelopment somewhere, and Shibuya itself can be said to be continuously changing.
Shibuya is also known as the "city that never sleeps". As the name suggests, it's a place where a large number of people come and go until late at night, and you can enjoy shops and clubs that are open late. On the other hand, it's also a district that combines both liveliness and tranquility, with places like Yoyogi Park where you can leisurely enjoy nature.
This time, to help you enjoy Shibuya 100 times more, I'll introduce events being held in Shibuya in June.
Event Information in June
Yoyogi Park is a very large park in Shibuya where you can enjoy water and greenery. The standard way to enjoy it is to take a leisurely stroll while enjoying nature. However, in June, various international events and festivals will be held in Yoyogi Park, so please find an event that interests you from the list below and visit.
Turkey Festival
At this event, you can fully enjoy the culture of Turkey and its surrounding countries. First, you'll want to enjoy the "food". There will be a line-up of Turkish food stalls where you can savor the flavors of Turkey, one of the world's three major cuisines.
One dish you should definitely try is the Turkish-style pizza called "lahmacun". When I visited before, I was able to enjoy freshly baked lahmacun from the oven installed inside the stall.
The stage performances are also a must-see. Traditional musical instruments and folk dances are performed throughout the day. You'll find yourself captivated by the unfamiliar sounds, the dances that go well with them, and the colorful ethnic costumes.
Shopping in the area where you can buy small items from Turkey and the surrounding regions is also recommended. The products with color schemes unique to the Middle East are all very attractive.
- Dates: Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9
- Time: 10:00-19:00
- Admission: Free
Details here >> https://www.facebook.com/events/2884464981690687/
World Gourmet & Music Festa
This event, now in its 13th year, is held next to the Turkey Festival. At this event, you can also enjoy authentic flavors from around the world, musical and dance performances, and the sale of clothing and miscellaneous goods.
One of the attractions of this event is that you can experience the culture of different countries every year. This year, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Cuba, India, and Pakistan will be participating, so please come and savor the authentic culture of these countries.
Another charm of this event is that cultures that normally never intersect are juxtaposed. The cultures of various countries from around the world are intermingled, and you can feel as if you've taken a world tour just by staying for a few hours.
- Dates: Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9
- Time: 10:00-19:00
- Admission: Free
Details here >> https://www.facebook.com/events/1435920677248884/
Sri Lanka Festival
At the Sri Lanka Festival, you can experience various aspects of Sri Lankan culture, from cuisine to gems, tea, fortune-telling, crafts, and performances.
The stage performances are particularly eye-catching at this event. The dances, which combine sharp and supple movements, will give you a strange sensation of being drawn in somewhere if you keep watching. The fluttering, glamorous ethnic costumes that move with the dances are also one of the eye-catching points.
Furthermore, being able to actually see "Angampora" is another reason to go to this event. This is a traditional martial art that was secretly passed down even when banned during the British colonial period. You're sure to think, "I'm glad this wonderful culture wasn't lost," when you see the powerful performance.
- Dates: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16
- Time: 9:00-20:00
- Admission: Free
Details here>> https://www.facebook.com/srilankafestival
Georgia Festival
Like the other events, this is an event where you can immerse yourself in Georgian culture, including food, music, dance, and clothing.
At this event, you can participate in a workshop on the Georgian alphabet. The Georgian alphabet is a cute script that looks like illustrations. For example, in Georgian, "eagle" is written as "არწივი".
If you deepen your familiarity with the script at the workshop, you'll be able to think of your memories of this event and of Georgia whenever you see the Georgian alphabet in the city in the future.
Another attraction of this event is the opportunity to taste wine. Georgia is the birthplace of wine, with an 8,000-year history. You can't talk about wine without drinking Georgian wine. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or trying wine for the first time, please give it a try.
- Dates: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16
- Time: 10:00-18:00
- Admission: Free
Details here >>https://www.facebook.com/events/698927565495719/
Thai Food Festival
At this event, various Thai food stalls will be set up, allowing you to enjoy authentic flavors. From world-famous dishes like pad kra pao and tom yum goong to locally beloved dishes like “nun bread”, a Thai-style sandwich, you can enjoy a wide variety.
In addition to Thai cuisine, there will also be stalls from various countries such as Turkey, Argentina, and Vietnam, giving the event an aspect of an Asian food festival.
Many Thai food enthusiasts gather at this event, but unfortunately, there aren't that many stalls. Very long lines form at the popular stalls, so it's recommended to visit early or think about what you want to eat in advance.
- Dates: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16
- Time: 10:00-19:00
- Admission: Free
Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/194449473627222/
Africa Heritage Festival
At this event, you can fully use your five senses to enjoy African culture, including food, lifestyle, music, dance, art, and fashion.
The biggest attraction of this event is that you can not only experience the culture from the outside but also immerse yourself in it. We, the general participants, can also participate in the African parade, the main event of the festival.
Anyone can join as long as they are interested in Africa and African culture, even if they have never been involved with Africa before. Please enter African culture and feel Africa with your whole body.
- Dates: Friday, June 21 to Sunday, June 23
- Time: June 21 12:00~19:00 (Last order 18:30)
June 22 and 23 11:00~19:00 (Last order 18:30)
- Admission: Free
Details here >> https://www.facebook.com/people/アフリカヘリテイジフェスティバル/61555487796322/
Jamaica Festival
At this event, you can experience Jamaica from various aspects, including food, music, and dance. One thing you should definitely try is "jerk chicken". Jerk chicken is a spicy grilled chicken dish that originated in Jamaica and can be called the soul food of Jamaicans.
You can taste a sweetness within the spiciness, and once you try it, you'll be hooked. Famous jerk chicken restaurants from all over the country will gather at this event, so please try and compare them.
Reggae, which has now spread all over the world, also originated in Jamaica. At this event, you can listen to authentic reggae, so it's a must-see for reggae lovers.
- Dates: Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23
- Time: June 22 11:00~20:00
June 23 11:00~19:00
- Admission: Free
Details here>> https://www.facebook.com/people/Jamaica-Festival-レゲエキュイジーヌ/100063496965911/
LOVE FOR NOTO
Noto is an area located in the northern part of Ishikawa Prefecture. This region suffered major damage from the earthquake that occurred on January 1, 2024. By participating in this event, you can support the Noto region, which is currently on the road to recovery.
Fundraising activities and volunteer work on-site aren't the only forms of support. Experiencing and connecting with the Noto region are also forms of support.
At this event, you can enjoy a variety of content, including talk sessions, markets, food, and workshops. From dusk, there will also be a "Candle Night" where candles filled with feelings for Noto will be lit.
Even if you thought that disaster relief was too high of a hurdle for you, why not start supporting by participating in this event?
- Dates: Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30
- Time: June 29 11:00~20:30
June 30 11:00~20:00
- Admission: Free
Details here>> https://songoftheearth.info/sote2024/lovefornoto/