Your Ultimate 2025 Summer Event Guide to Asakusa & Ueno
Hello from HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU!
Summer is officially here! While the heat may be intense, let’s stay hydrated, watch out for heatstroke, and make the most of the season.
This year, the Ueno and Asakusa areas—both just a short trip from our hotel—are bursting with exciting summer events once again!
Table of Contents
- Enjoy Festivals Even More! Get into the Festive Spirit with a Yukata Rental
- Japanese Cultural Experiences
- Sumida River Fireworks Festival
- Asakusa Samba Carnival
Feel the Festival Vibes—In a Yukata!
A yukata is a must-have for a lively summer outing. Just by wearing one, you instantly get into the festival mood!
This time, we’ll introduce a recommended spot for yukata rentals that will make your summer festival experience even more enjoyable.
HANAYAKA Kimono & Yukata Rental
About a 30-minute train ride and walk from HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU, “HANAYAKA Kimono & Yukata Rental” is in Asakusa and is a great place for people who want to walk around town wearing traditional Japanese clothes.
Inside the store, you’ll find a wide array of kimonos and yukatas with various designs to match the season and your mood. A key attraction is the freedom to create your own unique look, as you can freely choose your yukata, obi (sash), bag, geta (sandals), and even your hairstyle. The time spent choosing your outfit itself becomes a fun travel memory.
While you’re being dressed, conversations with the staff flow easily, creating a heartwarming and relaxing atmosphere. The warm customer service is another unique charm of this shop.
Wearing a yukata and walking through the lively streets of Asakusa during a festival is a special experience.
While staying at HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU, don’t miss this fun and unique thing to do during the season.
< Shop Information >
Name: HANAYAKA Kimono & Yukata Rental
Address: 2-27-8 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo (30 minutes from the hotel)
Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Open every day
Official Websait：http://hanayaka.shop/
Japanese Cultural Experiences
You’ve changed into a beautiful yukata and are all dressed up!
Asakusa, with its charming atmosphere, is the perfect place for such a special day. Passing through the Kaminarimon Gate and walking along Nakamise-dori street, you’ll be surrounded by a nostalgic atmosphere with its rows of traditional Japanese sweets and souvenir shops. One of its charms is the opportunity to spend a relaxing time, whether it’s praying at Senso-ji Temple or strolling along the Sumida River.
A rickshaw ride through the city might help you rediscover the charms of Asakusa you wouldn’t normally notice.
It’s an area full of highlights where you can enjoy street food, picture-perfect spots, and Japanese cultural experiences.
Strolling through Asakusa in a yukata will make you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time.
Why not forget your daily routine and enjoy a relaxing, extraordinary time?
Savoring Japanese Summer and Food Stalls at Senso-ji Temple
In Asakusa during summer, enjoying food from street stalls while wearing a yukata is a fun and special experience. You can find colorful sweets like shaved ice and candy-covered fruits, as well as tasty foods like fried noodles and grilled sweetfish (ayu).
The prices are not too high, and you can share the food with friends, which makes it even more fun!
With the old and beautiful atmosphere of Sensoji Temple, you can really feel the summer in Japan.
Try Your Luck with an Omikuji Fortune!
The famous omikuji (paper fortunes) at Senso-ji Temple are a slightly thrilling way to test your luck, known for having a higher chance of drawing “kyo” (bad luck). Showing the results to your friends and family is sure to create a memory filled with smiles. Even if you draw bad luck, tying it up on the temple grounds can help you feel refreshed.
As a way to casually experience Japanese culture, the omikuji at Senso-ji Temple is highly recommended!
Asakusa is a fascinating city where you can experience a wide range of Japanese culture. Walking around in a yukata will surely deepen your enjoyment. How about spending a special day in Asakusa?
＜Information＞
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Access from HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU (Nearest Station):
・5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
・5-minute walk from Exit A4 of Asakusa Station on the Toei Asakusa Line
Official HP：https://www.senso-ji.jp/
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
On Saturday, July 26th, the historic “Sumida River Fireworks Festival,” which dates back to the Edo period, will be held. Approximately 20,000 fireworks will be launched from two venues, the first and the second, spectacularly lighting up the night sky over Taito City, where Senso-ji Temple is located, and Sumida City, home to the Tokyo Skytree.
- Date and Time: Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Venue: https://www.sumidagawa-hanabi.com/venue/index.html
Asakusa Samba Carnival
The Asakusa Samba Carnival is a summer festival born from the passion of the city. It began in 1981, proposed by the then-ward mayor and the comedian Junzaburo Ban, who were concerned about the declining state of Asakusa.
The parade, which recreates the energy of the authentic Rio carnival, is now beloved as one of the largest summer attractions in the Northern Hemisphere. Overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year marks its milestone 40th anniversary, a festival that has walked hand-in-hand with the history of Asakusa.
- Date and Time: Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 1:00 PM
- Location: Asakusa Umamichi-dori to Kaminarimon-dori
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＜Hotel Information＞
Name: HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU
Location: 4-5-10 Ikenohata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0008
Access: 3-minute walk from Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line
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