Shibuya, famous as a hub of youth culture, is a gathering place for Japan's cutting-edge trends while constantly changing through redevelopment.
The Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko statue, which often appear in manga and anime, are popular among tourists. I occasionally visit Shibuya and often see tourists taking commemorative photos around Shibuya Station.
Another characteristic is the presence of live music venues, museums, and art galleries scattered throughout the city. Once you walk around, you can enjoy music and art all over Shibuya. The ever-changing cityscape due to ongoing long-term redevelopment is also part of its charm.
Yoyogi Park, surrounded by nature, is also famous in Shibuya Ward, known for hosting various events throughout the year.
In this article, we'll introduce information about Shibuya events & festivals in July 2024, including those held in Yoyogi Park.
Events in July 2024
SHIBUYA Machibiraki 2024
source： Official website
SHIBUYA Machibiraki 2024, starting July 8th in Shibuya, allows participants to enjoy music and art events while exploring the city.
For example, an art exhibition held from July 29th to August 31st will display all submitted works in Shibuya facilities. It might be interesting to visit Shibuya to find your own or your friends' artwork.
If you want to casually enjoy an event, we recommend participating in the "Panel Exhibition to Learn Shibuya's History" held at Shibuya Akushu.
Although limited to July 13th, there will also be a festival event by Shibuya's professional basketball team, Sunrockers Shibuya. With booths reminiscent of Japanese festivals, such as yo-yo fishing, it's a great opportunity for those who want to experience Japanese festival culture.
Period: From July 8, 2024 (ongoing)
Time: Varies by event
Admission/Tickets: Free / None required
Click here for details: https://shibuyaplusfun.com/machibiraki/
J-WAVE presents INSPIRE TOKYO 2024 -Best Music & Market-
source： Official website
J-WAVE presents INSPIRE TOKYO 2024 -Best Music & Market- is an event hosted by a Japanese radio station. Entry to the event space along Keyaki Namiki is free.
In addition to shops selling miscellaneous goods and workshops where you can experience crafting, there's an area with food trucks where you can eat. With a wide range of cuisines available, you can find meals to suit your mood, including non-Japanese options. My recommended menu item is the curry from wacca. Wacca's curry, which combines dashi and spices, is an exquisite dish that lets you taste Japanese-style curry.
At night, a bon odori (traditional Japanese dance) event begins. This modern arrangement of bon odori makes it easy for foreigners unfamiliar with the dance to participate.
Period: July 13-15, 2024
Time: 11:00-20:00 (Event space)
Admission/Tickets: Free entry (Event space) / Paid tickets available (Live venue)
Click here for details: https://www.j-wave.co.jp/special/inspire2024/
Our Summer Snap by NIVEA
source： LET’S ENJOY TOKYO
Our Summer Snap by NIVEA is an interactive photography event by the famous skincare brand Nivea. It will be held at the storefront event space of SHIBUYA109, also known as a mecca for youth fashion.
With the theme "May your favorite person be able to be their favorite self," the event features various contents such as a giant mirror photo spot modeled after the Nivea can and a photo card shooting booth with Nivea frames.
There's also a space where you can freely use stickers and colored pens to decorate your photo cards as you like.
If you post your photo card on Instagram on the spot, you have a chance to win limited-edition Nivea original goods.
Period: July 6-7, 2024
Time: 10:00-20:00
Admission/Tickets: Free / None required
Click here for details: https://x.com/nivea_promo_jp/status/1806251129799614542
Shibuya Center Street Summer Festival
source： Official website
The Shibuya Center Street Summer Festival is an annual summer festival held on Shibuya Center Gai. The Tanabata decorations adorning Shibuya Center Street are related to "Tanabata," a long-standing Japanese custom. On Tanabata (July 7), it's said that wishes come true if you tie small pieces of paper with wishes written on them, called "Tanzaku," to bamboo branches. During the summer festival period, Tanabata decorations made by craftsmen from Sendai will be displayed on Shibuya Center Street.
In 2023, the festival collaborated with the "Nebuta Festival," one of the festivals in the Tohoku region, creating decorations based on Shibuya Kinkotaro, a warrior associated with Shibuya. The authentic Nebuta Festival was showcased in the middle of Shibuya, allowing visitors to experience the powerful Tohoku regional festival up close.
The Click here for details of the 2024 festival have not been announced yet. It's exciting to imagine what kind of summer festival experience we can have in the heart of Tokyo. As the festival is held in the center of Shibuya, why not participate casually while sightseeing or shopping?
Period: July 24 - August 9, 2024
Time: 9:00-22:00
Admission/Tickets: Free / None required
Click here for details: https://center-gai.jp/topics/「センター街夏まつり」 -開催/
Nanananasai 2024 - A Festival of Good Fortune
source： Official website
Nanananasai is an annual event held by 100BANCH. 100BANCH is an organization that started as a concept for Panasonic's 100th anniversary, operating under the concept of "enriching the future 100 years from now."
At Nanananasai hosted by 100BANCH, various experience booths will be set up daily. I'm particularly interested in the "Play with OKINA'' booth, where you can experience "OKINA," a joint made from bamboo and can be anything like a tent, table chair . Visitors will use cut bamboo and OKINA to expand the event space.
Also, at the "Cell Market" booth, in addition to displaying cell accessories, there will be a tasting session for the glowing bio-food "Bio Ramen." You'll have to experience Bio Ramen with your own taste buds to find out what it's like.
Period: July 7-14, 2024
Time: 12:00-21:00 (Indoor exhibition), 13:00-15:00 (Talk event)
Admission/Tickets: Mostly free (Some paid events require tickets)
Click here for details: https://100banch.com/nanananasai/2024/
Arabian Festival 2024
source：yoyogikoen info
The Latin American Festival is a celebration where you can experience South American culture while in Shibuya. Booths selling Latin American cuisine and goods will be set up, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of Latin America that's not often available. Admission is free, and anyone can casually drop by and participate.
While the local Latin American cuisine looked delicious, I was particularly interested in the goods shops. There were many colorful and cute items, and I ended up buying some that caught my eye.
On the stage within the event venue, music and dance performances by Latin American artists will be showcased. The venue has a cheerful atmosphere where you can sing and dance along with the performers and other spectators to Latin rhythms. Let's enjoy the Latin American Festival by eating, drinking, and dancing a lot, making it an accent to your Japan sightseeing experience.
Period: July 13-14, 2024
Time: 10:00-19:00
Admission/Tickets: Free / None required
Click here for details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1454305425364546/
Taiwan Festa 2024 ~Taiwan Night Market~
source： Official facebook
Taiwan Festa 2024 ~Taiwan Night Market~ is a Taiwanese food event held every summer. The theme for 2024 is "night market," with stalls full of authentic Taiwanese atmosphere. Red lanterns reminiscent of Taiwan will color Tokyo's summer.
At the 2024 venue, artwork by the art collective "disco ball" imagining Japan-Taiwan friendship will be displayed. disco ball is known for creating fantastic spaces using mirror balls. If you visit Taiwan Festa at night, you'll be able to take Instagram-worthy photos.
I participated in the 2023 Taiwan Festa, and there were so many things I wanted to eat that I couldn't decide. Various Taiwanese delicacies will be available, so it might be interesting to challenge yourself to try Taiwanese cuisine you've never had before.
Period: July 26-28, 2024
Time: 15:00-22:00 (Until 21:00 on the 28th)
Admission/Tickets: Free / None required
Click here for details: https://taiwan-festa.com/
Conclusion
In this article, we've introduced Shibuya events & festivals in July 2024. Shibuya, famous as a tourist destination, actually hosts events of various genres. In addition to events where you can experience Japanese summer traditions like festivals, you can also participate in events that expose you to different cultures from various countries.
Why not visit these event venues while sightseeing in Shibuya? You'll be able to experience an atmosphere different from Japan's standard tourist spots.