Professional videographer Berndt Otto takes us on a fantastic visual tour of some of Tokyo's most exciting summer events. From the deluge of dazzling fireworks festivals across Tokyo, to the high-energy street festivals ("matsuri") complete with portable shrines and street dancing, to the exotic festival foods, there's a lot to do to beat the heat in Japan in the summer months. Watch the video above, or click the "HD" button for a high definition video from Vimeo (streaming times may be slightly longer on slow connections).

Be sure to read up on where to cool down at Tokyo's summer beer gardens:

• http://www.japan-i.jp/news/d8jk7l000005d4hk.html

Learn the best spot to see a fireworks festivals:

• http://www.japan-i.jp/news/d8jk7l000005azuv.html

And mark you calendar with more event listings at:

• http://www.japan-i.jp/event/d8jk7l00000607eh.html}

Tokyo Summer Events 2009 - Video Events Listing

July 4th to July 10th - Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri
Access via Tawaramachi Station on Ginza line
www.e-kappa.jp/event.html (Japanese)

July 6th to July 8th - Asagao Ichi
Access via Iriya Station on Hibiya line
www.kimcom.jp/asagao/poster.php (Japanese)

July 9th and July 10th - Houzuki Ichi
Access via Asakusa Station on Ginza line
www.senso-ji.jp/annual_event/shimanrokusennich.html (Japanese)

July 11th to August 2nd - Edo Shumi Nouryou Taikai
Access via Ueno Station on JR line
http://www.ueno.or.jp/ichioshi (Japanese)

July 18 - Choufu City Fireworks
Access via Fudo Station on Keio line
http://www.csa.gr.jp/hanabi2009.htm (Japanese)

July 20th - Okunitama Jinja Sumomo Matsuri
Access via Fuchu Station on Keio line
www.ookunitamajinja.or.jp/matsuri/sumomo.php (Japanese)

July 23rd - Adachi Fireworks
Access via Kitasenju Station on JR Tobu line
http://adachikanko.jp/fireworks (Japanese)

July 25th - Sumidagawa Fireworks
Access via Asakusa Station on Toei Asakusa line
http://sumidagawa-hanabi.com (Japanese)

August 1st - Edogawa Fireworks
Access via Shinozaki Station on Toei Shinjuku line
www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp/chiikinojoho/event/hanabi8 (Japanese)

August 4th - Enoshima Fireworks
Access via Enoshima Station on Odakyu line
www.fujisawa-kanko.jp/event/hanabi.html (Japanese)

August 6th - Jingu Gaien Fireworks
Access via Sendagaya Station on JR Soubu line, Gaienmae Station on Ginza line, or Kokuritsu Kyogijou Mae station on Toei Oedo line
http://jinguhanabi.nikkansports.com (Japanese)

August 8th - Tokyo Bay Fireworks
Access via Kachidoki Station on Toei Oedo line, or Toyosu Station on Yurakucho line
www.city.chuo.lg.jp/ivent/toukyouwanndaihanabisaimeinn (Japanese)

August 10th - Kamakura Beach Fireworks
Access via Kamakura Station on JR Yokosuka line

August 22nd - Tamagawa Fireworks
Access via Futago-tamagawa Station or Futago-Shinchi on Den-en-toshi line
www.nikotama-kun.jp/fuukei_hanabi.htm (Japanese)

August 27th - Zushi Beach Fireworks
Access via Shin-Zushi station on Keihin-kyuko line
www.zushitabi.jp/2009hanabi.html (Japanese)

August 29th - Asakusa Samba Carnival
Access via Asakusa Station on Ginza line
www.asakusa-samba.jp/index.htm (Japanese)

August 29th and August 30th - Super YOSAKOI
Access via Harajuku Station on JR Yamanote line
www.yosakoi-harajuku.com (Japanese)

August 29th and August 30th - Koenji Awa-odori
Access via Koenji Station on JR Chuo line
www.koenji-awaodori.com (Japanese)

For Tokyo event listings in English, please try Japan-i Calendar, or one of the following community event listings:
Tokyo Events • Eventful