Summer at Tokyo Disneyland has a special Japanese look, feel and taste!
Every year the park hosts an all-out Japanese Natsu Matsuri - summer festival - during the hottest months of July and August. Dancing, costumes and music are adapted from traditional festivals held throughout the country. Of course here at the Park, they've got a true Disney twist!
Mickey and Donald in their Japanese festival gear.
This year's event, Soryo Embu, runs through September 2nd.There are sixty different festival-themed souvenirs (yes, 60!), food, drink, sweets and, of course, a big show starring Mickey Mouse.
Mickey gets in on the festival fun.
The show is an acrobatic Japanese-style dance off between teams of Disney dancers and characters to the beat of Taiko drummers. Costumes are adapted from local festival wear: Happi coats, headbands, and tight wrap trousers - but with a slightly wilder flare.
Some of the many collectible items created especially for this show.
Warning: Prepare to get wet! This is as much about cooling off under the broiling sun as entertainment. During the show, powerful jets of water shoot up as tall as the turrets on Cinderella Castle, then out and over the audience. Everyone screams in delight - or dismay if they forget to cover the camera.
Hooded character towels are a must-have summer accessory.
As you drip and slosh your way out of the crowd at the end of the show, you'll understand why one of the hottest selling items during the summer is the hooded character towel.
I'm not kidding they're really popular.
Really, really popular...
Soryo Embu, runs four times during the afternoon, with a special night time version twice each evening. Seating in the forecourt in front of Cinderella Castle is reserved except for the first show. Tickets for seating are by lottery. Designate someone to keep the entrance tickets for your entire party (you need all of them - tickets not people -- so that your group can be seated together if you win). Have them go to the Tomorrowland Hall. Check the website for show times.
FYI: This system applies to other special events held at the main outdoor stage in front of the Castle throughout the year.
Don't wait until the last minute to find a place to see the show.
Of course there's lots of room to stand as well. Get there early if you want any chance of seeing the stage and bring something cold to drink. Waiting is hot, sweaty work. Many Japanese use a mini-umbrella for some portable shade on these summer visits.
Waiting is hot work. No hat? Improvise...
If your planning a visit for next summer, you should know these annual hot weather Disney events generally start at the end of the first week in July and run right through August. Summer vacation for Japanese school children begins around July 20th. If you can, plan your Disney Resort trip before that when the crowds aren't quite so out of control. Though it's still hot. Really, really hot.
Festival snacks with Mickey and Pluto dressed in Japanese costume.
I know going to Tokyo Disneyland is expensive. A one-day passport for an adult is 6200 yen ($62), 5300 yen $(53) for juniors 12-17; 4100 yen ($41) for children 4-11. But there are couple of ways to save money. Anyone 45 and up can get a full day passport to either Tokyo Disneyland or the resort's companion park, Tokyo Disney Sea, for 5500 yen ($55), almost ten dollars off the regular price.
Lantern-style Mickey charms.
During the summer, the Park has a special After Five Passport for 3300 yen ($33) regardless of age. The rest of the year it's an After Six Passport at the same price. Though you miss the daytime parades and activities, if you're on a budget, at least you get a chance to experience Disneyland or Disney Sea. All these tickets are available at the ticket counters. For complete information on ticket prices, here's the main website.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.