Things to do this week in Tokyo

Monday 20

Sumomo Matsuri
Head out to Fuchu to taste lucky plums at the many stalls set up inside the Okunitama Shrine grounds, and if you're an amateur farmer, don't forget to participate in waving a fan decorated with drawings of crows – this is supposed to help keep your crops safe. Read more

Setagaya Curry Bread Festival
Friends of karee pan can look forward to dozens of varieties offered by local bakeries and bread shops at this tasty celebration, a smaller cousin of the super-popular Setagaya Bread Festival. There'll also be live music and a curry bread drawing contest. Read more

Sakemaru presents Sake Pop
Spend a laidback holiday afternoon sipping sake and chilling out to smooth beats courtesy of DJs Moodman, Luiger, Keiji Yamabe and company at our very own Time Out Café & Diner. The entrance fee includes all-you-can-drink nihonshu – over 20 varieties are available. Read more

Luz de la Música
Popping up around Tokyo with irregular frequency, this Latin-focused party incorporates everything from salsa to electronica, combining club culture with passionate tunes and a sunny atmosphere. It now heads to Daikanyama's Air for a hot holiday special. Read more

Tuesday 21

Katsushika Noryo Hanabi
Katsushika's popular fireworks festival is known for the short distance between where the rockets are shot up and where onlookers are allowed to sit. Walk along the picturesque street reaching from Taishakuten temple to the river and you'll get a taste of what Edo was like in summer. Read more

Hideyuki Katsumata Exhibition
Holding its first exhibition since moving from a Kokubunji garage to a slightly more spacious Okachimachi locale, the Mograg Gallery now features up-and-coming guerrilla pop artist Hideyuki Katsumata's ultra-colourful work. Read more

Wednesday 22

Champagne Garden
Trust the Hotel Chinzanso to supply a classier alternative to Tokyo's beer garden booze-ups. The elegant hideaway is putting its rooftop Serenity Garden to good use for this summer special, where ¥7,900 gets you two hours and four varieties of free-flowing champagne. Read more

Urameshiya – Art of the Ghost
Summer equals spooky in Japan, and there are few things more eerie than the ghostly scrolls at Zenshoan Temple in old town Yanaka. The 19th-century collection forms the core of this hair-raising exhibition at nearby Ueno's University Art Museum. Read more

Thursday 23

Shinto meets Manga
Here's an excellent chance to learn more about religion in Japan without having to open any textbooks: we're putting on a one-night talk and party themed on Shinto, Japan's native religion and source of the nation's foundational myths. Don't miss the 'monk DJ' session. Read more

Friday 24

Kichijoji Fureai Festival
Taking over the plaza on the north side of Kichijoji's Tokyu department store, the Fureai festival entertains locals with ukulele and taiko drum performances, hula dancing and bon odori, plus plenty of food stalls and sales of fun variety goods. Read more

Kagurazaka Matsuri
Usually one of Tokyo's most refined neighbourhoods, Kagurazaka gets a little unruly tonight, as hordes of yukata wearers and awa-odori dancers flood the streets. Make sure to dress up: all yukata-wearers receive discounts on food, drink and more. Read more

Summer Night Buffet
If you're feeling really hungry tonight, head to the New Otani's Garden Lounge for this delectable buffet packed with more than 40 edible options. The restaurant offers gorgeous views of the hotel's Japanese garden, with laidback Hawaiian tunes completing the experience. Read more

Shinbashi Koichi Festival
Shinbashi gets into the summer spirit again at this festival of dancing, boozing and taiko drumming. The highlight is undoubtedly tonight's yukata beauty contest, but you can also look forward to bon odori, a range of food stalls and an offbeat beer garden. Read more

Saturday 25

Sumida River Fireworks
Japan's oldest recorded fireworks festival dates back to 1733, when it was staged as part of a ceremony to pray for victims of a severe famine the previous year. Today, it's by far the largest display in the capital – this year's will involve more than 20,000 fireworks. Read more

Cine Rock Festival
Celebrating six decades of rock'n'roll with a packed programme of legendary concert films and quality documentaries, this festival at the Marunouchi Piccadilly cinema should be great for nostalgic moshers. Catch the spectacular U2 3D today. Read more

Public pools
The summer heat is here, which means it's high season for the city's many great public pools. If you're looking to swim on the cheap, these are the ones to go for – admission is usually around ¥500 or less, the atmosphere is laidback and everyone's welcome. Read more

HandMade In Japan Fes
Art, crafts, fashion, accessories and much more – it's all here at the annual HandMade in Japan festival, a massive celebration of creativity attracting around 5,000 artists, designers and craftspeople, of course in addition to thousands and thousands of amateur DIYers. Read more

Ultraman Festival
Affectionately known as ‘Ulfes’, this annual summer festival about all things Ultraman has been going strong for 25 years. Fans of all ages should enjoy the battle dioramas and displays of movie-related paraphernalia, while kids can shoot selfies together with their masked heroes. Read more

Danish Art & Culture Week
Among other programmes, this showcase of Danish cuisine, art and lifestyle at Aoyama's Nicolai Bergmann features an exhibition by the multi-talented Peter Martensen, who's not only an accomplished painter but also a sculptor, video artist and musician. Read more

Sunday 26

Shinjuku Eisa Festival
More than 20 Okinawan dance troupes take to the streets around the east exit of Shinjuku Station to beat portable taiko drums and twirl their way through the crowds at this colourful bash, which also includes a full-on food festival. Read more

Kino-1 Grand Prix
Mushroom masters from all over the country again descend on the UNU farmers' market in Aoyama for the annual Kino-1 Grand Prix, a competition for shroom products decided by popular vote. Remember to look out for the 'mushroom bonsai'. Read more

TV Asahi Summer Station
Everyone from discerning drinkers to fans of mind-bending idol group Momoiro Clover Z will find something to their liking at TV Asahi's seasonal celebration, which takes over Roppongi Hills with gigs, film screenings, food stalls and pop-up shops. Read more

Bunny Bissoux: Anti-Summer Fête
Not a fan of the hot season? Join illustrator and writer Bunny Bissoux in her struggle against summer at this Tabata solo exhibit featuring the British-born artist's latest work, including posters, mags and decorative paraphernalia. Read more

The Railway Series: Thomas and Friends
The 'Railway Series' books have been popular in Japan ever since first appearing on these shores in 1973. This exhibition celebrates 70 years of Thomas and Friends with displays of around 200 original drawings for the books, in addition to model trains and more. Read more