Best Things To Do in Japan: May 2026
Traditional craft workshops, jazz festivals, ambient music, English comedy shows, and rural gatherings across Japan in May.
May brings Golden Week and warmer weather across Japan. From a Paris Saint-Germain pop-up in Shibuya to a 9-hour electronic music retrospective in Kyoto and a beach festival on Mikawa Bay, the month offers traditional crafts, comedy, jazz, ambient festivals, and outdoor music. Here are the events worth booking this May.
🗼TOKYO EVENTS
ICI C'EST PARIS La Maison Tokyo
May 2 to 5 | 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
19-3 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
Paris Saint-Germain brings its global Ici C'est Paris La Maison concept to Shibuya for four days. The three-floor space combines Parisian and Japanese aesthetics. Floor 1 features a 1v1 football cage, a gaming area, and an F1 simulator. Floor 2 includes a Café in collaboration with La Brûlerie de Belleville and a Concept Store with collections from BEY, Nakaki Pantz, EDIFICE, Needles, and Pieces Uniques. Floor 3 hosts the Bistrot, a sake bar, and a sake blending masterclass. The Club's six iconic trophies are on display. Free entry, open to all.
Free admission · Reserve spot
Ginza Natsuno Chopstick Craft Experience
Through May 18 | 60-minute sessions, 8 daily slots
Aoyama, 3-min walk from Omotesando Station
Make your own chopsticks at this hands-on workshop in Aoyama. Choose your wood, shape it with a traditional hand plane (kanna), refine with sandpaper, and finish with an oil coating. Optional name engraving. Take your chopsticks home the same day. English-speaking staff. Up to 10 participants per session. Suitable for families, couples, and friends.
JPY 3,300 · Book spot
Weekend Club: Kintsugi at MIDORI.so Nagatacho
Saturday, May 9 | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
MIDORI.so Nagatacho, Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku
Learn kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer and gold or silver. The technique began in tea ceremony circles during the Muromachi period. Instructor Kazue Ito teaches both methods: synthetic lacquer (Shin-urushi), finished in one day, or natural lacquer (Hon-urushi), the traditional technique that may take multiple sessions. Bring your own broken pottery, an apron, and a take-home box. Reserve at least 3 days in advance.
JPY 5,000 · Reserve seat
No Strings Attached: Behind the Scenes of Bunraku
Monday, May 18 | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Tokyo Women's Plaza Hall, Shibuya (7-min walk from Omotesando Station)
Bunraku is Japan's traditional puppet theatre, originating in 17th-century Osaka and recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The art form combines hand-operated puppets, dramatic narration, and shamisen music. CWAJ presents fifth-generation Master Puppeteer Yoshida Tamasuke V performing "Sanbaso," Osome (from "Shinpan Utazaimon"), and Osono (from "Hadesugata Onna Maiginu"). English interpretation provided. Open seating. Proceeds support the CWAJ Scholarship Fund.
JPY 5,000 (Standard) · Get tickets
GAMELAND
Saturday, May 9 | 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Impact HUB Tokyo, Meguro
A social gaming event for indie game developers, players, and creatives. The Play Zone features 5 indie developer tables and an arcade station with popular titles. The Chill Zone is open social space for networking. Activities include developer spotlight presentations, an arcade mini tournament, and live interviews. Includes one drink.
JPY 1,500 · Get tickets
MIMINOIMI Ambient Week 2026: Attention In Motion (Day 6)
Saturday, May 9 | Doors 2:30 PM, Start 3:00 PM
Shimokitazawa ADRIFT & reload ENTRANCE HALL
A seven-day urban festival exploring ambient music, returning for its fourth edition (May 4 to 10). Day 6 features two Shimokitazawa venues: ADRIFT (ticketed) and reload ENTRANCE HALL (free). The lineup includes Toshi Tsuchitori Spiral Arms, led by Toshi Tsuchitori, a collaborator on Ryuichi Sakamoto's "phantom" debut album Disappointment-Hateruma. Also on the bill: SUGAI KEN, Chihei Hatakeyama, Shuta Hiraki, shakuhachi player Reison Kuroda, Fabio Perletta, and Andreas Trobollowitsch. A special edition of TENbient runs at reload ENTRANCE HALL.
JPY 7,000 · Get tickets
Shinoharu English Rakugo 18 in Fukagawa
Tuesday, May 12 | 7:00 PM (Doors 6:30 PM)
Fukagawa Edo Museum Small Theater, Koto-ku
Rakugo is a 300-year-old form of traditional Japanese storytelling. One performer sits on stage and acts out every character in the story. Tatekawa Shinoharu, a Yale University graduate who lived in the U.S. for seven years, performs in English for non-Japanese speakers, first-timers, and Rakugo fans. He was promoted to "Shin-uchi" (master rank) in April 2020. Stories are chosen on the spot, mixing classic and original.
JPY 3,000 (Standard) · Reserve seat
NIHONBASHI PUBLIC JAZZ 2026 Spring: Feel The Public Groove
May 15 to 17 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Coredo Muromachi Terrace Plaza & Fukutoku no Mori, Nihonbashi
A 3-day participatory jazz event in Nihonbashi, now in its sixth edition. Two stages feature Japanese and international artists plus a DJ jazz bar experience. Paid seats include a welcome drink; other areas are standing only. Friday: Brass Fantasy by James Macaulay, SiNGO crossing feslatimba, PUBLIC JAM BAND feat. Lyn Inaizumi. Saturday: Ryo Takaiwa and the Family, Bloodest Saxophone, Mariana Matsui. Sunday: Marty Holoubek meets Ai Furusato, theatre brook, Shinding featuring Sho Okamoto (OKAMOTO'S).
JPY 3,300 (Standard) · Get tickets
Brunch is a Drag: Supper Club (vol. 21)
Sunday, May 17 | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
TenCups Cafe Bar & Lounge, Shibuya
A supper club edition of the Brunch is a Drag series, hosted by Labianna LaBeija with guest performers Mika-Le, Bouillabaisse, and DJ Brian Rentz. Late brunch buffet and a mimosa bar. Alcohol option includes an open bar with mimosas and fusion gin tonics on request. Vegetarian options available. Tickets are limited; walk-ins depend on availability.
JPY 4,000 (Adult) | JPY 6,000 (Adult + alcohol) · Get tickets
Golden Comedy Night: The Cure for May Blues
Sunday, May 31 | 7:30 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)
What the Dickens! Bar, Ebisu, Shibuya
Pirates of Tokyo Bay, Tokyo's English and Japanese improv comedy group since 2010, performs short-form improv at this monthly Ebisu show. Each show is half English, half Japanese, with the premise of every scene clear in both languages. Performers create scenes, stories, and songs from audience suggestions. No script. Includes one drink. Food available.
JPY 2,500 · Get tickets
⛩️ KYOTO EVENTS
In Search of the Origin of Sound: 3 Concerts, 2 Days, 9 Hours
May 23 to 24
ROHM Theatre Kyoto, North Hall, Sakyo Ward
Since 1993, In Search of the Origin of Sound has presented works from the early days of Japanese electronic music, including pieces from the NHK Electronic Music Studio, as living music rather than archive material. The Kyoto program focuses on three innovators: Toshi Ichiyanagi, Somei Satoh, and J=C. Eloy. Day 1 (May 23): Ichiyanagi at 1:00 PM (parallel music, Sora, The World, Music for Living Space), Satoh at 5:00 PM (Emerald Tablet, Mandala, Raran Genshou, Mantra). Day 2 (May 24): J=C. Eloy from 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM with a 30-minute intermission, the first re-performance of Gaku no Michi - Materiel since June 1979.
JPY 3,500 to JPY 7,000 single | JPY 10,000 full pass · Get tickets
Kamogawa Odori Performance with Kyoto Cuisine Lunch
Thursday, May 21 | 11:45 AM to 3:30 PM
Meet at Keihan Sanjo Station central ticket gate
A guided afternoon in Pontocho, the geisha district between the Kamogawa River and Kiyamachi. Lunch is a kaiseki course at Kashintei Minoko, followed by the Kamogawa Odori, a two-part spring performance of dance drama and dance in the Onoe-ryu style at Pontocho Kaburenjo. Includes premium reserved viewing seat and lunch. Led by Eiren Nishikawa, master of the Nihon Buyo Nishikawa school.
JPY 14,800 · Reserve seat
🏯 OSAKA EVENTS
Hirata Farm × Tonkatsu Chefs in Osaka 2026
Saturday, May 23 | 11:00, 14:00, 17:00 (120-min sessions)
OSAKA FOOD LAB, Nakatsu, Kita-ku, Osaka
A large-scale tonkatsu event backed by Hirata Farm in Yamagata Prefecture. Five Osaka tonkatsu shops serve dishes featuring Hirata Farm's Kinkaton, Berkshire 50, and Heiboku Sangen Pork. Participating shops: Tonkatsu Ichiban 2deux, Tonkatsu Noguchi, Kyomachibori Nakamura, Tonkatsu Butashabu Hizono, and Shimizu Kenyo. Standard ticket includes admission, 2 tonkatsu pieces, 1 drink, and a bonus. Three rotating sessions, capacity 333 per session. VIP tickets sold out.
JPY 3,500 (Standard) · Get tickets
Morning Coffee Rave Osaka
Sunday, May 10 | 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Cafe & Bar AiNA, Fukushima, Osaka (3-min walk from JR Fukushima Station)
A daytime coffee and music event built on a global wellness trend. DJ sets and high-quality coffee replace the nightclub format, with no alcohol served. Hosted by Aya, a wellness coordinator with 17 years of experience as a hotel spa therapist. Advance booking is JPY 1,000; same-day is JPY 1,500. One drink order required at the cafe.
JPY 1,000 advance + drink · Reserve spot
🗾 EVENTS IN OTHER CITIES
Spring Tea Party by Teapick × chayoi park nagoya
May 30 to 31 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
SOCIAL TOWER MARKET at Oasis 21, Higashi-ku, Nagoya
A tea-tasting collaboration between Teapick (black tea from around the world) and chayoi park nagoya (this year's freshly harvested Japanese new tea from across Japan). Sample over 10 teas with a wristband, bring your own teacup or sake cup, and enjoy 60 to 80 cc tastings at each booth. Tea leaves are sold on site. Held inside the SOCIAL TOWER MARKET at Oasis 21.
JPY 1,500 (advance, bring teacup) | JPY 2,000 (with chayoi teacup) · Get tickets
Rock On The Beach 2026
May 30 to 31 | 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
CAFE GOOFY & LYNX, Kira Waikiki Beach, Nishio, Aichi
A two-day music festival on Mikawa Bay, revived from the legacy of "Rock On The Rock (ROR)" in honor of central figures Shige and Maki. Live music is the centerpiece, with workshops and a marche. Lineup includes ComplianS (Sato Taiji and KenKen), Afro Begue, MAJESTIC CIRCUS, Bobin and Ko-tang, Yuji Katsui and Kosuke Tsuji, and others. Free entry for junior high school students and younger.
JPY 9,400 (2-day) | JPY 5,400 (1-day) · Get tickets
Transcendence 2026
May 8 to 10
Choja-no-Mori, Kitaaiki Village, Nagano
A three-day outdoor electronic music festival in the Nagano forests. Lineup includes DJ KURI, DJ MARIA., DJ NOBU, Garçon, Kohra, Paquita Gordon, Takumi Inamoto, Timnah, upsammy, YSK, Yuzo Iwata, and Zitto B2B Zurkin. Sound system by OtOdashi. Space design by RGB, Shinovi Creation, and Yin Yang Flower. About 3 hours from central Tokyo via the Chuo Expressway, or take the official Shibuya bus tour. The venue sits at high altitude. Free for under high school age.
JPY 20,030 (Advance) | JPY 23,000 (Same-Day) · Get tickets
Oita Kagura Performance
Saturday, May 23 | 1:00 PM to 3:15 PM
Beppu Community Center (Shibai no yu theater), Beppu, Oita
An accessible introduction to Kagura, a Japanese traditional dance. Pamphlets and a pre-show explanation are provided so first-time viewers can follow the meaning of the performance. The event is planned and run by high school students who love Kagura. Oita Kagura Sha performs "Kokushi," a piece featuring Chari, a clown-like role. Oita Kagura Sha is known for its distinctive drumming.
JPY 1,100 (General) · Reserve seat
Visiting Japan? Peatix connects you to traditional craft workshops, jazz festivals, ambient concerts, English-friendly comedy, and rural music gatherings that locals and visitors attend.
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