Summer is the season when Tokyo’s anime event scene goes into overdrive. On top of the major exhibitions already on the calendar, a fresh wave of experiences has just opened or is about to open across the city. Here are the ones worth planning your weekend around.

1. ちいかわ☆星ふるスカイツリーとひみつの島 (Chiikawa Starlit Skytree and the Secret Island)

Dates: July 10 (Fri) to October 31 (Sat), 2026 Venue: Tokyo Skytree — Tembo Deck, Tembo Galleria, and 1F SKYTREE SPACE Price: Skytree observation deck admission required (separate ticket)

Everyone’s favorite little characters have taken over Tokyo’s tallest tower. This collaboration between Chiikawa and Tokyo Skytree runs through Halloween and it is packed with content アニメ！アニメ！.

Here is what awaits inside:

  • Themed photo spots across the Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria where you can snap “nuigurumi photos” with your own Chiikawa plushies
  • A special video playing inside the SKYTREE ROUND THEATER on Floor 350
  • Limited-edition cafe menu at SKYTREE CAFE on Floor 340, featuring Chiikawa-themed drinks and sweets
  • Exclusive merchandise only available at this event
  • Special night lighting that transforms the tower itself into a Chiikawa-themed beacon

The event ties in with the release of Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu (Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island), and the displays let you follow the film’s story through the tower. This is a rare chance to see the Skytree decked out in Chiikawa decorations — definitely worth the trip to Oshiage.

2. バレーボール超体験空間『ハイキュー!! オン ザ コート』 (Haikyuu!! On the Court — Tokyo Venue)

Dates: August 7 (Fri) to September 13 (Sun), 2026 Venue: Bellesalle Roppongi (ベルサール六本木) Access: Hibiya Line Roppongi Station Exit 2 (2 min walk), Oedo Line Roppongi Station Exit 4b (4 min walk) Price: Check the official site for ticket details

After a successful run in Osaka (until August 2), the immersive Haikyuu!! experience moves to Tokyo for over a month at Bellesalle Roppongi アニメ！アニメ！.

This is not your standard art exhibition. As the name “超体験空間” (super experience space) suggests, you get to physically engage with the world of Haikyuu!! through:

  • “Jump” zone — Experience the sensation of Hinata’s soaring spikes
  • “Hit” zone — Feel the power behind a real volleyball spike
  • “Connect” zone — Understand the teamwork and passing that makes Karasuno dangerous
  • Newly recorded audio featuring the original voice cast, recorded specifically for this exhibition
  • Video content that brings the matches to life around you

Shoyo Hinata’s voice actor, Ayumu Murase, visited the Osaka venue and said he was blown away by how immersive it was — “I could feel the world of the series with my own body” アニメ！アニメ！. If you have ever wanted to jump like Hinata or spike like Ushijima, this is your chance.

3. SHUWATCH with U — ウルトラマン60周年記念展 (Ultraman 60th Anniversary Art Exhibition)

Dates: Now through August 3 (Mon), 2026 Venue: Shibuya PARCO Price: 500 yen (elementary school students and under: free) Hours: 11:00 to 21:00 (last entry 30 min before close, final day until 18:00)

Ultraman turns 60 in 2026, and the celebration at Shibuya PARCO is an art lover’s dream Timeout Tokyo. Unlike a standard hero exhibition, “SHUWATCH with U” invites 12 contemporary artists from Japan and abroad to reinterpret Ultraman through painting, sculpture, and installation art.

The exhibition explores the themes that have made Ultraman an enduring icon: the battle between light and darkness, the boundary between human and monster, and the power of imagination. Each artist brings a distinct vision, and the result is an immersive space that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

At just 500 yen admission, this is arguably the best value exhibition in Tokyo right now. And since it is in Shibuya PARCO, you can make a day of it — shop, eat, and explore one of Tokyo’s trendiest neighborhoods. But hurry, it closes August 3.

4. 100％ドラえもん＆フレンズ in 東京 (100% Doraemon & Friends in Tokyo)

Dates: Now through September 30 (Wed), 2026 Venue: TOKYO DREAM PARK, Ariake Price: 2,400 yen (advance), 2,500 yen (same-day) / children from 1,600 yen Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30)

This is the largest Doraemon event ever held in Japan, and it has finally arrived in Tokyo after debuting in Hong Kong in 2024 Timeout Tokyo. The venue is packed with over 100 uniquely designed Doraemon statues, each transformed by the series’ iconic “Himitsu Dougu” (secret gadgets).

Highlights include:

  • 100+ Doraemon statues in different forms — Sakura Doraemon, Onigiri Doraemon, Shiba Inu Doraemon, Sumo Doraemon, and more
  • A 12-meter tall giant Doraemon balloon in the outdoor “100% Doraemon Park” — the largest ever made
  • Immersive zones recreating scenes from the manga, anime, and feature films
  • Exclusive merchandise you can only buy at this venue
  • Photo spots throughout the indoor and outdoor areas

This one runs until the end of September, so you have plenty of time to visit. Ariake is easy to reach via the Yurikamome line from Shimbashi or the Rinkai line from Osaki.

5. 創刊50周年記念 LaLa原画展 魅惑のクリエイション (LaLa 50th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition)

Dates: Now through August 3 (Mon), 2026 Venue: Shinjuku Takashimaya Price: Advance 2,000 yen / Same-day 2,200 yen (high school: 1,500/1,700 yen, children: 900/1,100 yen) Hours: 10:30 to 19:30 (Aug 3 until 18:00, last entry 45 min before close)

For shojo manga fans, this is the exhibition of the year. Hakusensha’s monthly magazine LaLa — home to classics like Fruits Basket, Vampire Knight, and Skip Beat! — celebrates its 50th anniversary with a massive original art exhibition at Shinjuku Takashimaya Timeout Tokyo.

The show gathers over 200 original illustrations from 76 artists who have shaped the magazine’s history. You can see the brushwork, coloring techniques, and artistic evolution up close — details that printed pages and screens simply cannot convey. There are also rare materials like magazine supplements, name (rough draft) pages, and behind-the-scenes notes.

The theme is “Tokimeki no Tsukurikata” (How to Make Heart-Pounding Moments), and the venue includes an interactive corner where visitors can leave their own “tokimeki” messages. This is a must for anyone who grew up reading shojo manga.

Practical Tips for Summer Event-Going

  • Stay hydrated. Tokyo summers are brutal. All venues listed here are indoor and air-conditioned, but the walks between stations and venues can be punishing.
  • Buy advance tickets. Several of these events offer discounted advance pricing, and some (like Haikyuu!! On the Court) may require timed entry reservations.
  • Check holiday closures. Anime Tokyo Station and some venues close on Mondays. Always confirm before heading out.
  • Combine visits. Shibuya PARCO (Ultraman), Shinjuku Takashimaya (LaLa), and Tokyo Skytree (Chiikawa) are all near major transit hubs, so you can easily hit multiple events in one day.

Whether you are here for the nostalgia of Doraemon and Ultraman, the immersive energy of Haikyuu!!, or the cute chaos of Chiikawa, Tokyo’s summer 2026 lineup has something for every flavor of otaku.

Vocab: 原画展 genga-ten — Original art exhibition. 超体験空間 chō-taiken kūkan — Super experience space, a term for immersive, interactive exhibitions. ぬい撮り nuigurumi撮り — The act of taking photos with your plush toys at scenic spots.

出典 (Sources)