# Yoyogi Park: weekend festivals, hanami and open lawns

Things to do in Yoyogi Park start with its festivals. On the Shibuya side, the [Event Plaza](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%E3%82%A4%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88%E5%BA%83%E5%A0%B4%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%8D%972%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) and the zelkova avenue beside it host a different country, food or music festival on most weekends from spring to autumn, while the forest side next to [Meiji Jingu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA1-1) has lawns, fountains and space to do nothing at all. The list below is updated daily with events in and around the park.

## What Yoyogi Park is

The land has had several lives. It was an army parade ground, and in 1910 the first powered flight in Japan took off from here; a small monument in the park marks the spot. After the war it became Washington Heights, a housing area for the US forces, then the athletes' village of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and the park opened in 1967. One house from the village, used by the Dutch team, survives near the Harajuku gate, and since spring 2026 it has been a café.

A road splits the park in two. Area A, the large northern part, is a forest park of lawns, trees and ponds that runs into the woods of Meiji Jingu. Area B, on the Shibuya side by NHK Hall, holds the Event Plaza, the outdoor stage and an athletics field where the opening ceremony of the 1964 Paralympics was held. It is one of the largest metropolitan parks in central Tokyo, entry is free, and the park itself is open all day, every day.

- → [Meiji Jingu: Tokyo's forest shrine through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/meiji-jingu.md)
- → [Harajuku and Omotesando: pop-ups, shrine and park](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/harajuku.md)
- → [Events in Shibuya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/shibuya.md)

## What to see on a walk through the park

Enter from Harajuku and the paths lead you into the forest side. The [Central Lawn](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E5%BA%83%E5%A0%B4%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA2-1) in the middle of Area A is the big open space where people picnic, nap and play, and next to it the fountain pond has three fountains that shoot up to around 30 metres. The bird sanctuary, fenced off for wild birds, was the first of its kind in Japan; you can't go in, but you will hear and see plenty from the paths. There is also a dog run, and the ginkgo trees turn gold in late autumn.

Cross the pedestrian bridge to Area B and the mood changes. The Event Plaza is a paved square lined with stall spaces, the outdoor stage stands at its edge, and [Keyaki Namiki](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E3%82%B1%E3%83%A4%E3%82%AD%E4%B8%A6%E6%9C%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%8D%972%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), the zelkova-lined road beside it, fills with night markets and stalls when something is on. Behind it are [NHK Hall](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=NHK%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%8D%972-2-1&query_place_id=ChIJ____Dq6MGGARzPpfqRJA0iA) and [Yoyogi National Gymnasium](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%9B%BD%E7%AB%8B%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%AB%B6%E6%8A%80%E5%A0%B4%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%8D%972-1-1), Kenzo Tange's swooping 1964 arena, both busy concert venues.

Yoyogi Park has also long been where Tokyo's hobby groups meet at weekends. The rockabilly dancers in leather jackets near the Harajuku gate are the famous example, along with drummers, dance crews and musicians practising on the paths. None of it is scheduled, so treat it as a bonus if you see it.

- The Event Plaza and Area A are across a road from each other. Use the pedestrian bridge rather than walking round.
- Smoking is only allowed at marked spots. The park's smoking map is on the [official site](https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/yoyogi/index.html).

- → [Autumn leaves in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/autumn-leaves.md)
- → [Taking photos at Tokyo events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/photography.md)
- → [Free events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/free.md)

## The year at Yoyogi Park

Spring starts with cherry blossoms in late March, when the lawns fill with hanami picnics. From April the Event Plaza runs one festival after another: Earth Day Tokyo has usually been held here in April, and in recent years the Thai Festival has taken over the park for a weekend in mid-May with pad thai, curry and Thai beer. Through summer and autumn come festivals for countries and regions (Brazil, Vietnam, India, Spain, the Caribbean and Latin America have all had their weekends), plus Japanese regional fairs such as the Okinawa and Hokkaido festivals. Most are free to enter, and you pay per dish.

In June the Tokyo Pride festival fills the Event Plaza and outdoor stage, with a parade through Shibuya and Harajuku. On a weekend in late August, Super Yosakoi brings more than a hundred dance teams to stages at the park, Meiji Jingu and Omotesando. Around Culture Day in early November, a free jazz festival plays on the Central Lawn, and the Shibuya ward festival takes over the plaza around the same time. In recent winters the Blue Cave illumination has lit the trees around the Event Plaza in blue in December.

- Check the event page for 雨天決行 (goes ahead in rain) or 雨天中止 (cancelled in rain) before you set out.
- Benches by the stalls fill fast at lunchtime. Carry your food over the bridge to the lawns of Area A for a calmer meal.

- → [Food festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/food-festivals.md)
- → [Cherry blossom season in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/sakura.md)
- → [Tokyo Pride](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-pride.md)
- → [Summer festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/summer-festivals.md)
- → [Winter illuminations in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/winter-illuminations.md)
- → [Events in Shibuya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/shibuya.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)
- → [Food & Drink events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/food-drink.md)

## Crowds, hanami rules and etiquette

Festival weekends are busiest on Saturday afternoons, when the food queues get long and the plaza is shoulder to shoulder. Arrive before noon or come in the last hours before closing. Stalls are quicker with cash, even when some take cards, so bring coins and 1,000-yen notes. Bins are few, so carry your rubbish until you find a festival rubbish station, or take it home.

Hanami here is relaxed but has rules. Leaving a sheet unattended to hold a spot is not allowed, and tents and large shade tarps are banned during the blossom season. Toilet queues can be long on full-bloom weekends. Dogs must be on a lead, and the roads around the park jam on weekends, so the park asks visitors to come by train.

- In full-bloom week, weekday mornings are the calmest time for a picnic on the Central Lawn.
- Bring a light sheet and a bag for rubbish. Convenience stores near Harajuku Station sell both.

- → [What to eat at a Japanese festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/festival-food.md)
- → [Going to events in Tokyo: the basics](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/event-basics.md)
- → [How to spend a weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/weekend.md)
- → [Today in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/today.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## Getting there and nearby

[JR Harajuku Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E5%8E%9F%E5%AE%BF%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D1-18-20&query_place_id=ChIJ_yy1ybqMGGAR0tPR4qiHDVY) on the Yamanote Line, [Yoyogi-koen Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E7%B7%9A%20%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E5%AF%8C%E3%83%B6%E8%B0%B71-3-9) on the Chiyoda Line and [Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%20%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D1-18-22) on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines are each about three minutes from a park gate, and [Yoyogi-Hachiman](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A5%20%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A85-6-1) on the Odakyu Line is about six. For the Event Plaza, walk from Harajuku past Yoyogi National Gymnasium, or uphill from Shibuya along [Koen-dori](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%E9%80%9A%E3%82%8A%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%8D%971%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE). When a concert ends at the gymnasium or NHK Hall, Harajuku Station gets packed, so walk to Meiji-jingumae or Shibuya.

Meiji Jingu is right next door, and its forest approach starts by Harajuku Station. [Takeshita Street](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%AB%B9%E4%B8%8B%E9%80%9A%E3%82%8A%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D1%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) and [Omotesando](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%A1%A8%E5%8F%82%E9%81%93%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D4%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) are across the road, and Shibuya is a short walk down. To the west, [Yoyogi-Hachimangu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AB%E5%B9%A1%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A85-1-1) is a quiet neighbourhood shrine near Yoyogi-Hachiman Station.

- → [Meiji Jingu: Tokyo's forest shrine through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/meiji-jingu.md)
- → [Harajuku and Omotesando: pop-ups, shrine and park](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/harajuku.md)
- → [Things to do in Shibuya: the crossing, views and nights out](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shibuya.md)
- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [Events in Shibuya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/shibuya.md)
- → [Concerts in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/concerts.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[ACN presents Yoyogi Forest of Lights](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/acn-presents)** — Fri, Nov 13, 2026 17:30 – Mon, Jan 11, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Yoyogi Park (Cycling Course Area) (Shibuya) · ¥500–¥3,200
- **[Shibuya Blue Cave (Ao no Dokutsu) 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/shibuya-blue-cave-ao-no-dokutsu-2026-7905)** — Fri, Dec 4, 2026 – Tue, Dec 29, 2026 (JST) · Yoyogi Park Event Area (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[Tokyo Snow Festival 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-snow-festival-2026)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 09:00 – Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (JST) · Yoyogi Park (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[Yoyogi Park JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/jazz-festival-in-yoyogi-park-2026)** — Tue, Nov 3, 2026 11:00 (JST) · Yoyogi Park Central Plaza (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[49th Shibuya Community Festival 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/49th-shibuya-community-festival-2026)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Yoyogi Park Event Plaza and More (Open-air Stage, Park Paths, Ballpark, Basketball Court) (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[Fiesta de España 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/fiesta-de-espana-2026)** — Sat, Nov 14, 2026 10:00 – Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Yoyogi Park (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[Farmers & Kids Festival 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/farmers-kids-festival-2027)** — Sat, Mar 6, 2027 – Sun, Mar 7, 2027 (JST) · Yoyogi Park Event Plaza (Shibuya) · price on the official site
- **[Autumn Foliage at Yoyogi Park](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/autumn-foliage-at-yoyogi-park)** — Wed, Nov 11, 2026 – Sun, Dec 20, 2026 (JST) · Yoyogi Park (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[[Free Admission] KEIO eSPORTS LAB: Minecraft Programming Workshop at Autumn Kids Festa](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/keio-esports-lab-in)** — Sun, Oct 25, 2026 10:30 (JST) · National Olympics Memorial Youth Center (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[Tokyo Night Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-night-market)** — Wed, Oct 21, 2026 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Yoyogi Park Keyaki Avenue (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[Collective Sounds & Cultures Gathering](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/collective-sounds-cultures)** — Sat, Oct 24, 2026 12:00 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · Yoyogi Park Outdoor Stage, inside Earth Garden Autumn (Shibuya) · ¥2,000–¥6,000
- **[Kids Flea Market at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/kids-flea-market-at-the-national-olympics-memorial)** — Sat, Oct 24, 2026 – Sun, Oct 25, 2026 (JST) · National Olympics Memorial Youth Center, International Exchange Building & Reception Hall (Shibuya) · price on the official site

## Questions people ask

**Is Yoyogi Park free, and is it open at night?**
Yes, entry is free and the park is open all day, every day. Festivals usually end in the evening, and some facilities like the dog run have their own hours.

**Are there festivals in Yoyogi Park every weekend?**
From spring to autumn there is something at the Event Plaza on most weekends, from country festivals to food and music events. Winter is much quieter.

**When is the Thai Festival at Yoyogi Park?**
In recent years it has been held on a weekend in mid-May. Check the official page for the year's dates.

**Can you have a hanami picnic in Yoyogi Park?**
Yes, on the lawns. Don't leave a sheet unattended to save a spot, don't bring a tent or large tarp, and take your rubbish with you.

**Where is the Event Plaza?**
In Area B, the Shibuya side of the park, next to NHK Hall and Yoyogi National Gymnasium. From Harajuku Station it is a short walk past the gymnasium.

**Is Yoyogi Park next to Meiji Jingu?**
Yes. The two forests touch, and both are a few minutes from Harajuku Station, so most people combine them in one visit.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/yoyogi-park