The 12th annual ECO EDO Nihonbashi event is set to take place across the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo again this year from July 5 to September 23. ECO EDO Nihonbashi sees lots of events take place through the town that give a modern spin on the lives of those in the traditional Edo period. "Cool and refreshing" is the theme of the event and something that was born from Nihonbashi during this period. It encourages people to use of all five senses: to feel the coolness as they observe the goldfish, lanterns and fireworks, to feel it by wearing a yukata, to hear the refreshing sounds of the wind chimes by means of the wind, to taste and smell the refreshing gourmet food prepared, and so on.

Goldfish Lantern Road

The Goldfish Lantern Road returns again this year, a path imbued with that Edo atmosphere that leads up to Fukutoku Shrine. The giant goldfish lanterns will be strung up once again to bring that summertime vibe. Digital lighting will also be used to illuminate the path for an even better experience. The lighting performance this year was created by Nihonbashi-based creative company flapper3.   Running: July 5, 2019 - September 23, 2019Light-Up Time: 19:00-23:00Location: Nakadori Street (Between Coredo Muromachi 1 and 2)  

Little Path in the Wind Chime Forest

The little path that connects Fukutoku Shrine to Fukutoku Forest will be draped with around 20 little Edo-style wind chimes. The sound of the chimes as they are brushed by the wind will allow you to enjoy the cool air. For the first time this year, the area will also be lit up in the evening. Be transported into a magical world as the wind chimes are illuminated by the beautiful lights.   Running: July 5, 2019 - September 23, 2019Light-Up Time: 19:00-23:00Location: Little path at Fukutoku Forest, right beside Fukutoku Shrine  

Goldfish Sweets & Bar Crawl

110 shops and restaurants in the Nihonbashi area, from those in shopping malls to individual stores, will serve up a selection of goldfish themed goodies once again which proved very popular last year. Tuck into goldfish inspired Instagrammable sweets, bar food, and alcohol.   Running: July 5, 2019 - September 23, 2019  

Kyorakutei Yukata Station (*Booking required)

Rent out a yukata or have your own fitted onto you in a Japanese-style room with this yukata service.   Running: Every Saturday from July 5, 2019 - September 21, 2019 (Except August 31)Business Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Rentals from 10:30-17:30)Location: Kyorakutei (Coredo Muromachi 3 Floor 3F)Price: Yukata Fitting ¥3,000 / Yukata Rental ¥5,500TEL: 03-5652-5403 (Shinnichiya) (Weekdays 10:00-17:00)  

ECO EDO Nihonbashi Art Aquarium 2019: Cool Edo & Goldfish Night Museum

The Art Aquarium is an aquatic art museum managed by aquarium artist Hidetomo Kimura which fuses art, design and entertainment. The beautiful fish tanks are inspired by traditional Japanese design and focus on goldfish, combining sound, visuals, music and smell for an completely new and unique art experience. To date, over 9.45 million people have paid to enter this exhibition which is held only during ECO EDO Nihonbashi.   Running: July 5, 2019 - September 23, 2019Location: Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall (Coredo Muromachi 1 Floor 5F. Entrance accessed via Floor 4F.)  

Art Aquarium Natsumatsuri Summer Festival

Celebrating its third year, the Art Aquarium Natsumatsuri Summer Festival returns for 2019. A host of events will take place every weekend including Bon Odori dancing, goldfish scooping and more. This year, visitors will be able to experience Bon Odori dancing from various locations across Japan.   Running: Every weekend from July 20, 2019 - September 1, 2019Location: Fukutoku ForestEntry: Free (A fee is required for the goldfish scooping however)*Subject to cancellation during rainy weather.*Please check here to see the days when the Bon Odori and goldfish scooping are taking place.   Lots of other fun events are taking place besides these ones too, so if you're in Tokyo this summer be sure to get involved.

The Pikachu Outbreak Festival has been held in Yokohama for five years in a row. The event sees groups of Pikachu come together to march the streets.   The event is set to return for its sixth run in summer, with the main programmes set to be held at nighttime. Lighting technology will be used with the Pikachu army against the backdrop of Minato Mirai's gorgeous nightscape. More than 2,000 Pikachu are being mobilised, the biggest number in the event's history. In front of Yokohama Art Museum, the Pikachu will don LED lights on t heir costumes and hold up LED flags as they perform for the public. The Pikachu will also dance around giant water fountains in front of Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse's park with a panoramic view of Yokohama Bay Bridge in the background. The Eevee army will also join the fray again this year. Also occurring alongside the Outbreak is Pokémon GO Fest in Yokoham which can be attended by signing up in advance   ©2019 Pokémon. 　©1995-2019 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.

The new Unko Museum Yokohama is set to open on March 15, 2019 on the second floor of the new ASOBUILD entertainment facility in Yokohama which is opening on the same day. This limited-time museum features a range of poop-themed exhibitions from giant sculptures to cute and sparkly area known as the Unstagenic Area, a combination of the Japanese word for "poop" (unko) and the words "Instagram" and "photogenic." There's also the Untelligence Area where you can learn about the history of faeces and the conditions of people's poop around the world. There's even the Unteractive Area where you can enjoy playing poop-related games. The UK is home to its own National Poo Museum and South Korea has a toilet museum called Mr. Toilet House. Japan has hosted numerous events related to faeces to discuss diet and toilets too, but this is the country's first amusement-type facility focused on it and it welcomes people of all ages and nationalities to get involved.   Advance tickets are now live on the ALE-BOX official website and will also be sold via e+ on February 16. Additionally, all people who visit the museum during the period  March 15 to 17 will receive some original merchandise. Further information will be posted via the museum's official Twitter page in the run up to its grand opening.   An original pop/house song written has also been written for the museum and can only be heard by attending. It was written by Kenmochi Hidefumi of Wednesday Campanella with Frasco on vocals.