What's on in Tokyo
The year ahead, refreshed 14 September 2026
233 festivals, markets, art exhibitions, seasonal garden openings, fireworks, and traditional performances across the year ahead, from headline events to neighbourhood fairs. Near-term listings are refreshed every week as dates are announced.
Mori Art Museum, Roppongi
29 Apr - 23 Sept
Major retrospective of Australian artist Ron Mueck's hyperreal sculptures, famous for eerie life-like realism achieved through altered scale. Exhibition includes rare works displayed previously in Paris, Milan, and Seoul before coming to Tokyo.
Mori Art Museum, Roppongi
29 Apr - 23 Sept
Retrospective of British artist Ron Mueck's uncanny hyperrealist sculptures. Features figures so lifelike they provoke unsettling recognition. One of the year's most anticipated art exhibitions exploring the boundary between art and reality.
Mori Art Museum, Roppongi
29 Apr - 23 Sept
A major solo exhibition of Australian sculptor Ron Mueck featuring 11 sculptures spanning his career, with six making their Japanese debut. Works include monumental installations and a documented studio process, requiring pre-booked timed tickets.
Mori Art Museum, Roppongi
29 Apr - 23 Sept
First major exhibition of Australian hyperrealist sculptor Ron Mueck's extraordinarily realistic figurative works. Showcases sculptures of remarkable technical mastery and emotional depth.
Mori Art Museum, Roppongi
29 Apr - 23 Sept
First large-scale solo exhibition in Japan in approximately 18 years by UK-based contemporary artist Ron Mueck. Features eleven major works including 'Mass', a piece comprising 100 giant skull sculptures.
National Theatre of Japan, Chiyoda
1 Jun - 30 Sept
Traditional kabuki performances presented by Japan's national theatre with English audio guides and assistance. Features authentic performances by top-notch practitioners of 400-year-old theatrical art form.
National Noh Theatre, Sendagaya
1 Jun - 30 Sept
Traditional Noh mask plays featuring sophisticated performances with deep historical roots. Multiple programs available throughout summer with exhibition of masks, costumes, and props.
The National Art Center Tokyo, Roppongi
10 Jun - 21 Sept
Around 80 works including Blue Period portraits and Harlequin series arranged in a playful, personal, alive space. Picasso's work seen through designer Paul Smith's lens, marking 50 years since the artist's death.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
10 Jun - 21 Sept
Exhibition exploring the relationship between Picasso's revolutionary art and contemporary fashion design through the lens of designer Paul Smith. Comprehensive look at how Picasso's work continues to influence modern visual culture.
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Ginza
13 Jun - 23 Sept
Around 130 works by Monet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Picasso exploring how cafés, cabarets, and dance halls shaped modern art. Features Van Gogh's iconic Terrace of a Café at Night, back in Japan for the first time in roughly 20 years.
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Ginza
13 Jun - 23 Sept
First exhibition in Japan tracing the ripple of Parisian cafe culture to Spain, featuring Ramon Casas and the legendary Els Quatre Gats. Includes Casas' prized masterpiece 'Madeleine' in its first Japan appearance in 35 years, with immersive scent installations.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Meguro
18 Jun - 21 Sept
Photography exhibition highlighting work of prominent female photographer. Explores women's perspectives and artistic achievement across extended summer months at this major photography institution.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Meguro
18 Jun - 21 Sept
Exhibition exploring the golden age of poster art in late 19th-century Paris featuring works by Alphonse Mucha, Jules Chéret, and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Shows how commercial art became part of fine arts and influenced later creativity.
Oi Racecourse, Shinagawa
27 Jun - 20 Sept
Tokyo's largest regular flea market with hundreds of vendors selling secondhand goods from everyday items to rare collectibles. Held nearly every weekend with food trucks and local atmosphere.
Tokyo International Forum, Yurakucho
29 Jun - 27 Sept
Tokyo's largest open-air antique fair with 250+ vendors selling vintage kimonos, retro homeware, ceramics, and collectibles. Held twice monthly on Thursdays and the first Sunday of the month. Curated stalls showcase Japan's blend of old and new.
Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku
29 Jun - 27 Sept
Monthly antique market held at shrine grounds showcasing Japanese art, crafts, rare collectibles, and vintage kimonos. Intimate setting near shrine with curated stalls. Perfect for discovering unique one-of-a-kind items in Shinjuku's atmospheric location.
Shimokitazawa area, Shimokitazawa
1 Jul - 30 Sept
Regular flea market in bohemian Shimokitazawa neighbourhood featuring vintage clothing, antiques, and artisan crafts among eclectic mix of vendors. Cultural shopping experience in historic theatre district.
Tokyo Summerland amusement park, Amusement Park Area
1 Jul - 30 Sept
Regular flea market at water park facility featuring around 250 vendor stalls with mix of vintage items, fashion, and collectibles. Established casual outdoor shopping experience.
Taka Ishii Gallery, Roppongi
1 Jul - 30 Sept
Gallery specializing in photography and video expression featuring works by renowned photographers including Hiroshi Sugimoto and Daido Moriyama. Located in architecturally significant Piramide Building with contemporary art focus.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Meguro
2 Jul - 21 Sept
Photography exhibition exploring food and dining through works by internationally acclaimed Japanese photographers. Traces meanings of eating and sharing meals across memory, place, and social change.
Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Ebisu
2 Jul - 21 Sept
Photography and video art exhibition by fourteen artists exploring food as social act, personal memory, human relationships, and global issues. Invites reflection on what it means to eat together through contemporary visual perspectives.
Kabuki-za Theatre, Ginza
2 Jul - 26 Sept
Monthly kabuki performances featuring classical dramas with elaborate costumes, traditional music, and stylized acting. Performances run approximately 25 days each month. Single-act tickets available for accessible entry to this 400-year-old theatrical tradition.
National Museum of Western Art, Ueno
4 Jul - 27 Sept
Exhibition featuring Rembrandt works collected primarily by the Rembrandt House Museum and the National Museum of Western Art. Showcases his outstanding etching techniques and masterful use of light and shadow that influenced countless artists.
Oi Racecourse, Shinagawa
5 Jul - 4 Oct
Tokyo's largest regular flea market with 300 to 500 vendors held nearly every weekend. Extensive selection of secondhand goods, vintage fashion, home decor, toys, and rare collector's items. Food trucks provide refreshments throughout the day.
National Noh Theatre, Sendagaya
6 Jul - 4 Oct
Japan's premier venue for Noh and Kyogen traditional performances. Regular monthly programmes feature mask plays and comedic plays with a long history. The venue includes a restaurant overlooking gardens, perfect for pre-show dining or reflection.
National Museum of Western Art, Ueno
7 Jul - 23 Sept
Exhibition exploring Rembrandt's remarkable etchings and lasting influence on generations of printmakers. Features works from the Rembrandt House Museum and prints from museums and private collections in Japan and abroad. Scholarly examination of printmaking's past.
Panasonic Shiodome Museum of Art, Shiodome
11 Jul - 23 Sept
A retrospective of artist Hasegawa Tsutomu's career with works from the Machida City Museum of Graphic Arts. Features his evolution from avant-garde painter to master of mezzotint, with still life works suspended in fathomless black featuring soft, grainy fields and delicate brushwork.
Shibuya Garden Tower, Shibuya
12 Jul - 27 Sept
Monthly outdoor flea market in leafy plaza featuring around 100 vendors from Japan and worldwide selling antiques, vintage treasures, handcrafted accessories, fine art, plants, and organic food on 2nd and 4th Sundays.
Shibuya Garden Tower, Shibuya
12 Jul - 4 Oct
Held second and fourth Sundays monthly with around 100 vendors selling antiques, vintage handicrafts, jewellery, art, home goods, clothing and plants. Features food and drink stalls. Cancelled in case of rain; check Instagram for updates.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine grounds, Fukagawa
15 Jul - 28 Oct
Monthly antique fair at a historic Edo-era shrine featuring 50-80 stalls with Japanese ceramics, folk art, vintage items, and rare books. Held on 15th and 28th of each month from dawn to sunset.
Hanazono Shrine grounds, Shinjuku
20 Jul - 18 Oct
Weekly antique market in Shinjuku featuring 25-30 stalls with coins, ceramics, vintage treasures, and curiosities. Hidden in the heart of busy Shinjuku, offering peaceful browsing near luxury department stores.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno
25 Jul - 18 Oct
Part of the museum's 100th anniversary celebrations, featuring masterpieces from world-class institutions exploring views of place across Tokyo, Omuta and Buenos Aires.
Kabuki-za Theatre, Ginza
2 Aug - 20 Oct
Traditional kabuki performances held continuously throughout the month with various classical plays. Theatre-goers can purchase single-act tickets for one-hour viewings of Japan's most sophisticated theatrical tradition.
Kabukiza Theatre, Ginza
2 Aug - 8 Nov
Japan's traditional theater art form established 400 years ago. Monthly performances at Kabukiza with elaborate costumes, storytelling, and live music. Translation tablets available for international audiences.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Koto
15 Aug - 8 Nov
Shrine antique fair held on the 15th and 28th of each month with 50-80 stalls selling Imari porcelain, vintage toys, old kimonos, and rare books. Historic shrine founded in 1627 and associated with sumo throughout Edo period.
Oi Racecourse, Shinagawa
24 Aug - 22 Nov
Tokyo's largest regular flea market with up to 700 stalls offering second-hand clothing, furniture, vintage toys, manga, and household items. Free entry, rain or shine, held most Saturdays and Sundays.
Nezu Shrine, Nezu
1 Sept - 30
Major annual festival at Nezu Shrine established in 1714 featuring traditional dance performances and street stalls. The festival brings the historic neighbourhood to life with cultural performances and local food vendors celebrating community and shrine traditions.
Tokyo University of the Arts, Ueno
1 Sept - 30
University showcase featuring student creative talent in full swing with exhibitions, performances, and art installations across campus. Authentic opportunity to see emerging Japanese artists and students' work.
Showa Kinen Park, Tachikawa
1 Sept - 31 Oct
Seasonal flower festival with around 4 million cosmos flowers of multiple varieties blooming throughout the sprawling 180-hectare park. Photo-worthy installations and seasonal attractions complement the vibrant floral displays.
Showa Kinen Park, Akishima
1 Sept - 31 Oct
Around 4 million cosmos flowers of multiple varieties bloom throughout the park during this festival, with photo opportunities and seasonal garden displays.
Multiple venues across Tokyo, Various
1 Sept - 3 Nov
International performing arts festival presenting 100 different works selected from open-call entries, including the Performing Arts Base free showcase presented by Tokyo International Forum. Contemporary performances spanning theater, dance, and experimental work.
Multiple venues throughout Tokyo, Various
1 Sept - 3 Nov
Urban performing arts festival featuring 100 works selected from open-call entries, the international performing arts festival 'Autumn Meteorite 2026 Tokyo', and free showcase performances at Tokyo International Forum.
Multiple venues throughout Tokyo, Citywide
1 Sept - 3 Nov
An urban performing arts festival featuring Autumn Meteorite 2026 Tokyo with 100 different works selected from open-call entries and free Performing Arts Base showcases at Tokyo International Forum.
Tokyo National Museum, Ueno
1 Sept - 15 Nov
World-class museum hosting rotating exhibitions of Japanese art, archaeology, and cultural treasures. Autumn exhibitions showcase paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts with historical context against Ueno Park's autumn foliage backdrop.
Oi Racecourse Parking Area, Shinagawa
1 Sept - 29 Nov
Tokyo's largest regular flea market with up to 700 stalls most weekends. Second-hand clothing, furniture, household appliances, vintage toys, manga and collectibles. Prices start from ¥100. Car boot sale atmosphere with diverse inventory.
Various Tokyo museums, Various
1 Sept - 30 Nov
Exhibition centered on Rembrandt's remarkable etchings bringing together prints, books, and archival materials from museums, university libraries, and private collections in Japan and abroad. Explores the artist's technical mastery of the etching medium.
Cerulean Tower Noh Theatre, Shibuya
1 Sept - 30 Nov
Intimate noh theater featuring the highly sophisticated mask play tradition with long history. Regular performances of this classical Japanese performing art in an elegant contemporary venue.
Tokyo International Forum, Yurakucho
1st and 3rd Sundays of the month (dates occasionally shift, no August edition)
Japan's largest outdoor antique market, held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month with 250 or so dealers selling old kimono, ceramics, woodblock prints, and retro homeware. Dates occasionally shift and there is usually no August edition, so check the official schedule before going.
Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku
Almost every Sunday, roughly 6:30am to 3pm, except festival days and rain
Small, atmospheric antique market held almost every Sunday from early morning in the grounds of Shinjuku's Hanazono Shrine, with 25 to 40 stalls of old ceramics, kimono, coins, and curios. Skipped on festival weekends and in bad weather, so go early and have a backup plan.
Yasukuni Shrine outer approach, Kudanshita
Sundays, sunrise to sunset, weather permitting
A modest Sunday antique market along the tree-lined outer approach to Yasukuni Shrine, with 10 to 20 dealers selling pottery, old tools, and militaria from sunrise to sunset. Small enough to browse in half an hour on the way to the shrine or nearby Chidorigafuchi.
Koganji Temple and Jizo-dori Shopping Street, Sugamo
4th, 14th, and 24th of every month
Temple fair days at Koganji, home of the healing Togenuki Jizo, held on the 4th, 14th, and 24th of every month when food and trinket stalls line Jizo-dori shopping street. Nicknamed the Harajuku for grandmas, it is one of Tokyo's most charming old-school street scenes.
Kishimojin Temple, Zoshigaya
3rd Sunday of the month, 10am to 4pm (check the schedule, some months move or skip)
Craft market held on the third Sunday of most months in the cedar-shaded grounds of Kishimojin Temple, where up to 200 makers may only sell things they made themselves. One of the best places in Tokyo to buy ceramics, leather goods, and prints directly from the artists.
Takahata Fudoson Kongoji Temple, Hino
3rd Sunday of the month, 8am to 4pm
Around 120 dealers fill the grounds of this major Kanto temple on the third Sunday of every month, selling old kimono, clocks, toys, and farmhouse finds. The name Gozare roughly means anything goes as long as it is old, and prices run cheaper than central Tokyo markets.
United Nations University plaza, Aoyama
Every Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm
Tokyo's best-known farmers market runs every Saturday and Sunday on the plaza in front of the United Nations University, with around 50 stalls of produce, honey, coffee, and baked goods from farms across Japan. An easy, food-truck-fuelled stop between Shibuya and Omotesando.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Fukagawa
Antique market on 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays; flea market on the 15th and 28th of every month
This Edo-era shrine in old-town Fukagawa runs an antique market on most Sundays plus a bigger flea market on the 15th and 28th of each month, with dealers in Imari porcelain, old kimono, and vintage toys. Markets pause in January and are cancelled in rain.
Oi Racecourse, Shinagawa
Most Saturdays and Sundays (skips race days, check the calendar)
Tokyo's biggest regular flea market takes over the Oi Racecourse parking area most Saturdays and Sundays, with 300 to 600 stalls of secondhand clothes, household goods, toys, and the occasional genuine antique. Pure local bargain-hunting rather than a curated antiques fair.
Ark Hills, Ark Karajan Place, Akasaka
Every Saturday, 10am to 2pm
One of Tokyo's longest-running weekly marches, held every Saturday morning at Ark Hills since 2009 with farmers and small producers selling vegetables, bread, and prepared food. A relaxed local scene ten minutes from Roppongi.
Ark Hills, Ark Karajan Place, Akasaka
4th Sunday of the month (2nd Sunday in December), 11am to 5pm
Around 70 vendors of antiques, vintage jewellery, art, and old kimono fill the plaza at Ark Hills on the fourth Sunday of each month, moving to the second Sunday in December. More polished and design-minded than the shrine markets, with food stalls alongside.
Tokyo Ryutsu Center, Heiwajima
About five times a year over three days, typically March, May, July or September, and December (Sep 13-15 and Dec 6-8 in 2026)
Japan's biggest indoor antiques fair, held about five times a year over three days with nearly 300 dealers from across the country under one roof. Because it is indoors it runs rain or shine, making it the safest bet of Tokyo's big antique events.
Kabukiza Theatre, Ginza
2 Sept - 26
Japan's only dedicated Kabuki theatre presents traditional performances with matinee and evening shows. Authentic costumes, music, and male actor performances in highly stylized theatrical tradition. English and simplified Chinese subtitles available.
Nezu Shrine, Bunkyo
5 Sept - 8 Nov
Shrine antique fair held roughly twice monthly with vendors selling traditional Japanese items. Regular market taking place on various dates throughout the year with casual browsing atmosphere.
Nezu Shrine, Nezu
5 Sept - 6 Dec
A shrine market held roughly twice monthly featuring artisan goods, antiques and crafts. One of Tokyo's authentic neighborhood shopping experiences with deep historical roots.
Mori Art Museum, Roppongi
5 Sept - 13 Dec
A contemporary art retrospective at Tokyo's premier museum featuring carefully curated works exploring themes in modern and contemporary practice across multiple mediums.
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Koto
5 Sept - 13 Dec
Rare large-scale introduction to modern Taiwanese art with approximately 200 Taiwanese artworks and 100 Japanese contemporaneous pieces plus over 500 archival documents. Organized in six thematic chapters featuring paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs.
Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku
6 Sept - 6 Dec
A weekly open-air antique market with 25-30 stalls in a Shinjuku shrine with Edo-period roots. Vendors spread ceramics, lacquerware, vintage kimonos and pre-war ephemera across the courtyard.
National Noh Theatre, Sendagaya
7 Sept - 6 Dec
Highly sophisticated classical mask plays featuring traditional music and movements passed down for centuries. The National Noh Theatre offers regular performances with English support.
National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
Major international touring exhibition bringing Renaissance masterpieces on loan from Paris. Spans September to December with extensive collection of important artworks from one of Europe's greatest museums.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
Special exhibition featuring contemporary art including works from the Young British Artists movement and other international contemporary pieces. Japan's only national art museum without permanent collection, hosting rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
Major international exhibition showcasing Renaissance masterpieces on loan from Paris's Musée du Louvre. Works spanning Italian and Northern European schools displayed in one of Tokyo's premier art venues. Part of the museum's 2026 special exhibition series.
National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
A special exhibition examining modern Western art movements through roughly 200 Taiwanese and Japanese works from major institutions, exploring shared creative dialogue in Asian modernism.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
9 Sept - 13 Dec
Major international touring exhibition featuring artistic masterpieces from the Louvre, organized into four thematic sections covering travel, technical innovation, classical revival, and portraiture. A rare window into how the world's most famous art institution documents transformative artistic movements.
Koto Cultural Centre Hall, Koto
10 Sept - 20
Introductory bunraku puppet theater performance designed for beginners, featuring the collaborative art of narrative recitation, shamisen music, and puppetry. Educational opportunity to experience one of Japan's classical performing arts.
Shiba Daijingu Shrine, Shibadaimon
11 Sept - 21
Japan's longest festival drags on for 11 days, hence the name, at a small shrine a short walk from Tokyo Tower. Stalls sell fresh ginger and chigibako good-luck boxes as they have since the Edo period, when ginger fields surrounded the shrine, with the mikoshi parade on the main mid-festival day.
Showa Kinen Park, Tachikawa
12 Sept - 25 Oct
Four million cosmos flowers in pink, white, and yellow varieties bloom across three distinct flower fields. Each zone peaks at different times from mid-September through October, offering continuously changing landscapes with photo opportunities and bubble-floating events.
Tennozu Isle and surrounding areas, Shibuya
13 Sept - 27 Dec
Regular vintage and antique market held on select Sundays throughout the season, featuring clothing, accessories, vintage goods, and curated antique finds from dealers and collectors.
Ryogoku Kokugikan, Ryogoku
13 Sept - 27
The autumn honbasho brings 15 days of top-division sumo to the sport's home arena, with bouts building from mid-morning to the yokozuna matches around 5pm. Cheapest same-day arena seats sell at the box office each morning, and the final weekend decides the Emperor's Cup.
Shimokitazawa District, Shimokitazawa
15 Sept - 1 Oct
Fourth edition of art festival celebrating autumn and the Japanese tradition of tsukimi moon viewing. Features giant moon installation, illuminated bunnies, immersive theater performance 'Cat Town' with poetry and fantasy themes, traditional Noh performances, art exhibitions, and panels throughout the neighborhood.
LaLaport Toyosu, Toyosu
15 Sept - 31 Oct
German beer festival featuring authentic breweries and Bavarian sausages with views of Tokyo Bay. Seasonal autumn celebration combining German culinary traditions with Tokyo waterfront atmosphere.
Hibiya Park, Hibiya
18 Sept - 20
Dual food festival combining Aomori seafood specialties including Oma bluefin tuna and Mutsu Bay scallops with premium Japanese wagyu and grilled pork dishes. Free admission with food stalls and regional specialties from across Japan.
Shimokita Senrogai Open Space, Shimokitazawa
18 Sept - 4 Oct
Art installation featuring a 7-meter diameter lunar art piece by acclaimed artist Luke Jerram alongside other moon-themed installations and cultural performances celebrating the autumn moon viewing tradition.
Shimokita Senrogai Open Space and throughout neighborhood, Shimokitazawa
18 Sept - 4 Oct
An art festival celebrating the autumn tsukimi tradition with gigantic moon installations, light-up bunnies, immersive theater events, and scattered art exhibitions throughout the neighborhood.
Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, Akasaka
18 Sept - 20 (dates to be confirmed)
Three-day autumn festival at a 1730 shrine that survived the war intact, with Edo-period floats, a Sunday parade of mikoshi joined by Akasaka geisha, and bon odori in the tree-shaded grounds. Far less touristed than the big Asakusa festivals.
LaLaport Toyosu, Koto
19 Sept - 13 Oct
German beer festival featuring six types of German beer from traditional makers including Karmeliten and Paulaner, accompanied by authentic German cuisine and fusion menu items with Japanese ingredients. Open-air atmosphere by Tokyo Bay with live music performances.
LaLaport Toyosu Courtyard Seaside Deck, Toyosu
19 Sept - 13 Oct
German beer festival featuring imports from breweries like Paulaner and Hofbräu. Traditional German cuisine including sausages, pretzels and sauerkraut. Open-air seaside setting with views of Tokyo Bay. Free entry, beverages and food charged separately.
Shinjuku Central Park, Shinjuku
19 Sept - 6 Dec
An amateur-only flea market with nearly 200 stalls offering retro vibes and vintage finds, especially clothing and traditional apparel. Located behind the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings.
Ota Memorial Museum of Art, Minato
19 Sept - 6 Dec
Exhibition of over 300 objects from a two-century-old Tokyo washi paper maker, featuring Meiji through early Showa era creations. Displays include chiyogami paper by renowned artists such as Kawanabe Kyōsai and Kawase Hasui, alongside fan designs and decorative envelopes.
Nezu Shrine, Bunkyo
21 Sept - 27
Historic shrine festival dating to 1714 featuring traditional dance performances and mikoshi processions. In 2026, the rare jinkosai ceremony occurs, where three ornate mikoshi are paraded through streets only once every four years.
Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden, Sumida
24 Sept - 26
Traditional Edo-period moon-viewing celebration with graceful dango and vegetable offering ceremonies, Japanese flute and koto music performances, refined tea ceremonies, lantern-lit garden paths, and evening illuminations for autumn moon appreciation.
Roppongi District, Roppongi
25 Sept - 27
All-night open-air art festival transforming Roppongi into dynamic cultural hub. Installations, performances, and exhibitions across major venues: Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, National Art Center. Culmination of summer art season bridging to autumn.
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, National Art Center, Roppongi
25 Sept - 27
All-night open-air art festival transforming Roppongi with installations, performances, and exhibitions at multiple venues. Runs from sunset to sunrise with many installations free to view, creating immersive contemporary art experiences across the entire district.
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, National Art Center, and surrounding streets, Roppongi
25 Sept - 27
All-night open-air art festival transforming Roppongi into an immersive art experience with installations, performances, and exhibitions. The event runs from sunset to sunrise with many installations free to view.
Kinshi Park, Sumida
25 Sept - 27
September craft beer festival featuring Japanese micro-breweries. Tasting event allowing discovery of small-batch and experimental brews. Community atmosphere celebrating Japan's growing craft beer scene.
Nezu Jinja Shrine, Ueno
26 Sept - 27
One of Tokyo's three major Edo festivals featuring around 200 food stalls, traditional dances, taiko drums, and a four-yearly grand procession (Shinko-sai) with large mikoshi shrine parades. The 2026 Shinko-sai year features the prestigious portable shrine of Tokugawa Ienobu.
Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park and surrounding area, Ikebukuro
26 Sept - 27
One of Tokyo's largest festivals features a mikoshi parade with 16 large portable shrines and thousands of celebrants. The Mikoshi Festival occurs September 26-27, followed by the Dance Festival with Tokyo Yosakoi performances. Taiko drumming and food stalls complement the street celebrations.
Nezu Shrine, Ueno
26 Sept - 27
A historic festival dating back to the Edo period with lively mikoshi parades, yatai food stalls, taiko drumming and dancing. The 2026 edition is special, marking the Shinkosai, a rare grand procession held only once every four years on September 27.
Kita-Shinagawa Hondori (old Tokaido road), Kita-Shinagawa
26 Sept - 27
The old Tokaido post-town streets fill with an Edo-costume parade, oiran procession, street performers, and food stalls run by the shotengai shops. A neighbourhood festival celebrating Shinagawa-juku, the first station on the Edo-to-Kyoto highway.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
30 Sept - 12 Oct
Large-scale painting, print and sculpture exhibition organized by ICHIYOKAI artist association. Works span various artistic genres displayed in multiple gallery halls with open-air exhibition areas.
New National Theatre Tokyo, Shibuya
1 Oct - 20
Classical kabuki performance featuring Honchō Nijū Shikō at the New National Theater during the 81st ACA National Arts Festival. Traditional stylized drama with all-male cast performing in the 400-year-old theatrical form.
New National Theatre Tokyo (Playhouse), Sendagaya / Shibuya
1 Oct - 20
Classical kabuki performance featuring traditional male-actor performances with stylized music and dance, presented at the nation's primary stage for performing arts.
Yoyogi Park, Shibuya
1 Oct - 31
October food festival celebrating Kyushu regional specialties including charcoal-grilled local chicken, Hakata hormone grill, champon noodles, and tonkotsu ramen. Features sake pairings and regional crafts.
New National Theatre, Tokyo, Shibuya
1 Oct - 31
Introduction to Kabuki performance featuring English audio guide for beginners. Traditional all-male actors perform highly stylized drama with music and dance in elaborate costumes. October performance is at the prestigious Playhouse venue.
Harajuku area, Harajuku
1 Oct - 31
Regional food festival showcasing Hokkaido's diverse culinary offerings including seafood, vegetables, meat, curry, ramen, and sweets. Casual tasting experience celebrating Japan's northernmost prefecture.
Multiple venues, Various
1 Oct - 31
Major sake festival bringing together over 230 varieties of Japanese alcoholic beverages from 46 sake breweries across Japan. Purchase a tasting pass to freely sample award-winning brands and trending new products with guidance from brewery craftsmen.
National Theatre, Shinjuku
1 Oct - 31
Traditional kabuki performances by Japan's leading actors, staged monthly at the National Theatre. A centuries-old dramatic art form combining music, dance and elaborate costumes.
Oi Racecourse Grounds, Shinagawa
1 Oct - 30 Nov
Major light art display themed around past, present and future. Visitors experience time travel through Edo, Meiji, Taisho and Showa period light displays. Held evenings on non-racing days October through March. Interactive experiences with photo opportunities.
Kabukiza Theatre, Ginza
2 Oct - 20
Japan's premier kabuki theater presenting traditional stylized drama with male-only cast. October performances feature classical and contemporary kabuki pieces in the historic theater overlooking Ginza shopping district.
Participating restaurants across Shimokitazawa, Shimokitazawa
9 Oct - 26 (dates to be confirmed)
Around 100 cafes, bars, and record shops across Shimokitazawa serve special curries for about two and a half weeks, many in mini portions so you can crawl between several in an afternoon. Pick up the free map and stamp card at the station-front information tent.
National Noh Theatre, Sendagaya / Shibuya
10 Oct
Noh (masked classical drama) and Kyogen (comedic performance) showcase featuring the piece 'Yūgao' (Moonflower) and 'Naruko' (Bird Clappers). English subtitles available for this outreach performance.
Around Ikebukuro Station, Toshima
10 Oct - 11
Traditional Yosakoi dance festival based on Kochi Prefecture tradition with Tokyo's unique arrangements. Teams compete in contest format showcasing individual characteristics in colorful costumes, choreography, and live music through the streets.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Bunkyo
10 Oct - 20
Historic garden illuminated with immersive light installations, projection mapping on the reconstructed Karamon Gate revealing 395 years of history. Features traditional performing arts, stamp rally, and opportunities to purchase traditional souvenirs.
Farmers Market at United Nations University, Aoyama
10 Oct - 11 (dates to be confirmed)
Twice-yearly outdoor sake fair in the UNU farmers market courtyard, where a few dozen small breweries from across Japan pour tastings and sell bottles rarely stocked in Tokyo shops. Buy a tasting cup and ticket set at the entrance and graze stall to stall.
Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Ota
11 Oct - 13
Major Buddhist festival commemorating Nichiren's death, held for over 730 years with the highlight mando procession on October 12. Around 3,000 participants carry ornate cherry-blossom lanterns in a 2-kilometer lantern parade from Ikegami Station to the temple, attracting approximately 300,000 visitors.
Hibiya Park, Hibiya
11 Oct - 14
Tokyo's top outdoor food event featuring over 70 stalls offering ramen, wagyu, sake, and craft beer from across Japan. Major autumn culinary celebration with regional specialties.
Hibiya Park, Hibiya
11 Oct - 14
Tokyo's top outdoor food event featuring over 70 stalls offering ramen, wagyu, sake, and craft beer from across Japan. A celebration of autumn's seasonal bounty with regional specialties and gourmet dishes in a relaxed park setting.
Tamichi Hiroba Park, Meguro River, Meguro
11 Oct
The 50th Meguro ward festival, best known for thousands of free charcoal-grilled sanma (Pacific saury) sent from Miyagi, a nod to the classic rakugo story Meguro no Sanma. Queues start early; around the fish there are regional food stalls, a flea market, and stage performances along the Meguro River.
Kagurazaka-dori, from Zenkokuji Temple to Iidabashi, Kagurazaka
11 Oct
Tokyo's cat-costume Halloween parade, inspired by the ghost-cat folklore of old Kagurazaka. Anyone in cat make-up or costume can register on the day and join parades down the sloping geisha-district main street; watching from the roadside is free.
Cerulean Tower Noh Theatre, Shibuya
12 Oct - 25
Performances of noh, a highly sophisticated classical masked drama form with roots in medieval Japan. The theatre offers intimate viewings of this refined art form combining music, dance, and elaborate costumes in a traditional setting.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Fukagawa
15 Oct - 31
An autumn festival and tsukimi (moon viewing) with special dumplings, performances by dancers and singers, and shrine illuminations creating a historic Edo-period atmosphere.
Outdoor venue in central Tokyo, Hibiya
15 Oct - 31
Tokyo's top outdoor food festival featuring over 70 stalls offering ramen, wagyu, sake, craft beer and regional specialties from across Japan. Includes fresh produce and handmade items.
Hibiya Park, Hibiya
15 Oct - 15 Nov
A long-running chrysanthemum display held since 1914 featuring over 2,000 flowers with seedling sales and seminars on cultivation techniques. Traditional autumn flower celebration in central Tokyo.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Shinjuku
15 Oct - 5 Dec
One of Tokyo's premier autumn gardens featuring 700+ maple and zelkova trees across three garden styles (French, English, Japanese). Peak viewing mid-November to early December with simultaneous rose blooms creating a rare dual-season display.
Zoshigaya Kishimojin Temple, Zoshigaya
16 Oct - 18
Three nights of lantern processions to a 400-year-old temple hidden in the Zoshigaya backstreets, with four-metre mando towers of white paper flowers and relentless uchiwa-daiko drumming. On the final night the parade sets off from Ikebukuro Station's east exit around 7pm.
Hibiya Park, Hibiya
17 Oct - 25
Japan's largest amateur gardening competition fills the lawns of Tokyo's first Western-style park with prize show gardens, container displays, and hanging baskets, alongside plant sales and workshops. Free to wander for over a week in mid-October.
Sensoji Temple, Asakusa
18 Oct
Spectacular golden dragon dance parade performed in October at Sensoji Temple. Traditional ceremonial dance featuring a large golden dragon with flowing movements. Touching the dragon's head three times is believed to bring blessings.
Yanaka district, Taito
18 Oct
Celebrates autumn chrysanthemums with flower displays and traditional ceremonies. Kiku Kuyo-e ceremony at Sensoji Temple on October 18 offers prayer rituals alongside chrysanthemum viewing and seasonal customs.
Nihonbashi, Nihonbashi
19 Oct - 20
Traditional small festival along narrow Nihonbashi streets featuring Edo-period floats and local gourmet markets celebrating Japan's trade history with dancers and vendors.
Nihonbashi Street, Nihonbashi
19 Oct - 20
Traditional small festival along narrow Nihonbashi streets featuring local vendors. Popular for its authentic Tokyo atmosphere and connection to the historical merchant district.
Nihonbashi Takashimaya along narrow streets, Nihonbashi
19 Oct - 20
A traditional small Japanese festival along Nihonbashi's narrow streets where vendors sell bettara pickles and traditional goods. A relatively unknown authentic matsuri with historic roots.
Yushima Tenjin Garden, Yushima
20 Oct - 20 Nov
Japan's leading chrysanthemum display held since 1915 with around 1,000 exhibitions showcasing ogiku, edogiku, bonsai and cascading styles. Features cultivation lectures and seedling sales.
From Senso-ji Temple to Ueno Park, Asakusa
22 Oct
Historical parade recreating 400 years of Edo history featuring samurai, geisha, and imperial processions. One of Tokyo's most visually stunning cultural events with authentic costumes and traditional formations.
Asakusa to Ueno Park, Asakusa / Ueno
22 Oct
Historical parade recreating 400 years of Edo history featuring samurai, geisha, and imperial processions through Tokyo's oldest districts. One of Tokyo's most visually stunning cultural events.
Asakusa to Ueno Park, Asakusa
22 Oct
A historical parade recreating 400 years of Edo history featuring samurai, geisha and imperial processions in traditional costumes marching from Asakusa toward Ueno.
Yomiuriland, Inagi
22 Oct - 4 Apr (dates to be confirmed)
Amusement park illumination of over 6 million jewel-toned LEDs designed by lighting designer Motoko Ishii, with a fountain show set to music. Runs deep into spring, and the gondola ride up from Keio Yomiuriland Station passes over the lights.
Tokyo Metropolitan Culture Hall (Hibiya Park venue), Hibiya
23 Oct - 8 Nov
Long-running exhibition since 1915 featuring over 1,000 chrysanthemum blooms in various forms including ogiku, edogiku and domed styles. Includes bonsai arrangements and cultivation seminars. Traditional autumn flower celebration.
Komazawa Olympic Park Central Plaza, Komazawa
23 Oct - 3 Nov (dates to be confirmed)
Around 40 of Japan's top ramen shops set up in Komazawa Olympic Park in three rotating four-day line-ups, so the stalls change completely twice during the run. Park entry is free and every full bowl costs a flat ¥1,100 ticket.
Yasukuni-dori, Jimbocho book district, Jimbocho
24 Oct - 3 Nov (dates to be confirmed)
The world's largest secondhand-book district puts roughly a million volumes out on the street, with a kilometre of stalls lining Yasukuni-dori beside the 130-plus permanent bookshops. Old maps, ukiyo-e prints, and out-of-print photo books turn up alongside 100-yen bargain carts.
Chuo-dori between Nihonbashi and Kyobashi, Nihonbashi
25 Oct (dates to be confirmed)
Chuo-dori closes to traffic for a parade of around 3,000 performers, from Edo firefighter ladder acrobatics to regional dance troupes from across Japan, passing the historic Nihonbashi bridge. Department stores along the route set up food fairs for the day.
Hibiya, Ginza, multiple venues, Various
26 Oct - 4 Nov
One of Asia's largest film festivals bringing international premieres, Japanese films, and special showcases. Screenings across multiple venues with red carpet events, public talks, and industry gatherings throughout the city.
National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
28 Oct - 8 Feb
Major exhibition celebrating pioneering female manga artists and their influence on shojo (girls') manga genre. Comprehensive retrospective featuring original works, manuscripts, and cultural impact of these influential creators.
National Art Center Tokyo, Roppongi
28 Oct - 8 Feb
Major retrospective celebrating three giants of shojo manga: Moto Hagio, Ryoko Yamagishi, and Waki Yamato. First comprehensive exhibition of their pivotal contributions to manga art.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, Roppongi
28 Oct - 8 Feb
Special exhibition dedicated to pioneering female manga artists who revolutionized the shojo manga genre. Explores the creative legacies of three influential artists through original manuscripts, artwork, and cultural impact.
Shops and galleries across Omotesando, Gaienmae, Shibuya, Roppongi, and Ginza, Omotesando
30 Oct - 8 Nov
Japan's largest design and art festival marks its 10th edition, scattering furniture, product, and installation exhibits through boutiques, showrooms, and galleries across central Tokyo. Most venues are free, and the 2026 theme is Hibiki (resonance).
Tokyo Midtown, National Art Center, Roppongi Hills, Roppongi
31 Oct - 1 Nov
All-night art festival centered on the Roppongi Art Triangle featuring installation art, live art performances, video projections, and contemporary works. Multi-venue event spanning museums, streets, and public spaces with open call artist opportunities.
Hamarikyu Gardens, Shiodome
31 Oct - 1 Nov
Tokyo's biggest public tea gathering sets up outdoor nodate seats and tatami tea rooms across a former shogunal garden on the bay, with sessions held in English for first-timers. Tea tickets are a few hundred yen on top of garden admission.
Meiji Shrine, Shibuya
1 Nov - 3
Major festival honoring Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken with three days of traditional performances including Noh, kyogen theater, bugaku court dances, and yabusame horseback archery. The yabusame on November 3 is a major highlight.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Shinjuku
1 Nov - 15
Historic exhibition dating to 1929 displaying specially arranged chrysanthemum flowerbeds in traditional styles. Temporary wooden pavilions (uwaya) shelters showcase various chrysanthemum varieties cultivated since 1904, representing imperial tradition.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Shinjuku
1 Nov - 15
Annual imperial tradition of chrysanthemum appreciation featuring specially constructed pavilions called uwaya showcasing hundreds of carefully cultivated chrysanthemums. The exhibition runs for two weeks celebrating the flower's significance as a symbol of longevity and honor.
Yushima Tenjin Temple, Bunkyo
1 Nov - 23
Long-running festival displaying around 2,000 chrysanthemums including rare cultivars and the famous Tomoe Nishiki depicted in Hokusai paintings. Features dioramas of figures dressed in clothes crafted entirely from chrysanthemums.
Tokyo Midtown Garden, Roppongi
1 Nov - 30
Fusion of city lights and nature with softly illuminated ginkgo and maple trees alongside modern art installations. Creates romantic atmosphere for evening strolls combining natural beauty with contemporary design.
Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya
1 Nov - 30
Major November festival at Tokyo's most famous shrine featuring traditional Bugaku court dances and Noh performances on an outdoor stage set among towering trees. Cultural celebration honoring the anniversary of Emperor Meiji's birth.
Rikugien Garden, Komagome
1 Nov - 6 Dec
An Edo-era garden glowing at night with maple trees reflected in tranquil ponds. One of Tokyo's most romantic autumn scenes with illuminations from 6pm during peak foliage.
Meiji Jingu Gaien, Aoyama
1 Nov - 10 Dec
Celebration of 146 golden ginkgo trees lining the 300-meter 'Golden Avenue'. Features food stalls, craft markets, and weekend illuminations bathing the golden corridor in warm light after sunset.
Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi
1 Nov - 23 Feb
Holiday illumination event featuring the Midtown Garden with illuminated walkway of light and 3-minute light-and-music show. Paid ice rink runs through February 23, 2026.
Marunouchi area, Marunouchi
1 Nov - 28 Feb
Over 1.2 million champagne-gold LEDs lining 200 zelkova trees along the boulevard. One of Tokyo's most popular seasonal illuminations featuring elegant European-avenue styling.
Sensoji Temple, Asakusa
3 Nov
Spectacular white heron dance performed at Sensoji Temple in November coinciding with Japan's Culture Day holiday. Traditional ceremonial dance featuring graceful movements. Often draws larger crowds than spring performance.
Otori Shrine, Asakusa
4 Nov - 28
A traditional festival to pray for business prosperity held on rooster days at Asakusa's Otori Shrine. Vendors sell elaborately decorated kumade (ornamental rakes) symbolizing gathering good fortune.
Roppongi Hills, Roppongi
4 Nov - 25 Dec
Signature seasonal illumination with over 800,000 blue and white LEDs creating a breathtaking light tunnel on Keyakizaka Street. Complementary Christmas market with European-style treats and gifts, free entry.
55 museums and galleries across Tokyo, Tokyo-wide
4 Nov - 8
Five days of coordinated openings at a record 55 contemporary art venues, from major museums to small commercial galleries, linked by a free hop-on AWT Bus circuit. Organised with Art Basel, it is the easiest week of the year to see Tokyo's gallery scene.
Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku
6 Nov - 7
One of top three Tori-no-Ichi festivals in Kanto region with over 600,000 visitors. Vendors sell ornamental kumade rakes for luck and business prosperity. Hanazono Shrine's famous sideshows perform traditional Japanese culture experiences.
Otori Shrine and Chokoku-ji Temple, Asakusa
7 Nov
Traditional November festival where hundreds of stalls sell elaborately decorated kumade bamboo rakes believed to bring good luck and business prosperity. Runs midnight to midnight with lively atmosphere, food stalls, and over 800,000 visitors across November dates.
Otori Shrine and Juzaisan Chokoku-ji Temple, Asakusa
7 Nov
Traditional fair celebrating good luck and business prosperity held from midnight to midnight on rooster days. Vendors sell elaborately decorated kumade bamboo rakes adorned with gold coins and masks. Lantern-lit atmosphere with food stalls and taiko drumming.
Hanazono Shrine, Shinjuku
7 Nov
Shinjuku venue for the traditional Tori-no-Ichi festival. Vendors sell lucky kumade rakes and traditional sideshows perform. Evening celebrations lit with paper lanterns creating authentic Edo atmosphere.
Otori Shrine and Chokoku-ji Temple, Asakusa
7 Nov
Ancient November rooster market running midnight to midnight, featuring elaborately decorated kumade bamboo rakes believed to rake in good fortune and prosperity. Continuous 24-hour festival with food stalls, lively vendors, and hand-clapping celebrations after rake sales.
Ohtori Jinja Shrine and Chokoku-ji Temple, Asakusa
7 Nov - 19
Traditional rooster festival held on November rooster days (7th and 19th) featuring ornate kumade rakes symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Visitors purchase decorated rakes and pray for successful business and good fortune in the coming year.
Otori Shrine and Chokoku-ji Temple, Asakusa
7 Nov - 19
Traditional festival for business luck and prosperity where merchants gather to purchase decorated kumade (bamboo rakes) adorned with charms. Held on 'Days of the Rooster' throughout November.
Yebisu Garden Place, Ebisu
7 Nov - 11 Jan (dates to be confirmed)
A five-metre Baccarat crystal chandelier with 250 lights and 8,472 crystal parts glows in the open plaza at Yebisu Garden Place, alongside tree illuminations and a small Christmas market. Lit daily from 11am to 11pm.
Marunouchi Street, Marunouchi
13 Nov - 15 Feb
Over a million lights illuminate Nakadori Avenue from November 13 through February 15. Street park with market and musical performances featuring December midnight extension, 1.2-kilometer stretch from Tokyo Station area.
Nakadori Avenue and Gyōkō-dōri Avenue, Marunouchi
13 Nov - 15 Feb
Over 800,000 fairy lights strung along 1.2 kilometers of trees in Tokyo's financial district. The 24-year-old illumination runs nightly with lights until 11 p.m. in January, extending to midnight in December, creating an enchanting winter atmosphere through mid-February.
Hachioji city, Hachioji
15 Nov - 22
Celebrates transformation of 770 ginkgo trees along a 4-kilometer stretch of Koshu Kaido road into brilliant gold. Community-rooted, highly interactive event creating a beautiful golden fantastical world under Tokyo's autumn trees.
Meiji Jingu Gaien (Ichō Namiki Avenue), Aoyama
15 Nov - 1 Dec
146 ginkgo trees line a 300-meter avenue turning brilliant yellow in late autumn. Free daytime viewing mid-November to early December. Evening illuminations November 23-30, 4:30-7:30 pm create golden tunnel effect. Approximately 30 food stalls during the season.
Meiji Jingu Outer Garden, Shinjuku
15 Nov - 1 Dec
Celebration of 146 golden ginkgo trees lining a 300-meter avenue planted in 1923. The festival features food stalls, craft booths, street performers, and evening illuminations casting the brilliant yellow foliage in soft light, creating a spectacular autumn spectacle.
Rikugien Garden, Bunkyo
15 Nov - 6 Dec
Nighttime illumination of autumn foliage in one of Tokyo's most famous gardens. Red and golden leaves are lit by green and white light creating a unique nighttime view.
Otaguro Park, Ogikubo
15 Nov - 6 Dec
100-year-old ginkgo, zelkova, and maple trees illuminated at night. The illumination presentation changes yearly, with the main draw being tree reflections on the park's pond.
Meiji Jingu Gaien (Meiji Shrine Outer Gardens), Aoyama
15 Nov - 6 Dec
A celebration of the iconic golden ginkgo tree avenue with 300 glowing trees, featuring food stalls, live performances and craft markets during peak autumn foliage season.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Shinjuku
18 Nov - 24
Held in the historic greenhouse where Western orchid cultivation began in Japan. Features works by orchid enthusiasts alongside specimens cultivated at the garden. An exhibition combining horticultural expertise with artistic arrangement.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno
18 Nov - 8 Jan
Exhibition exploring modern and contemporary thread, needle, and fabric creations from the Tokyo Metropolitan Collection. Features works ranging from traditional embroidery techniques to contemporary fiber art installations.
Meguro River, Gotanda Fureai Waterside Square, Gotanda
4 Dec - 31 Jan (dates to be confirmed)
The cherry trees along a 2.2km stretch of the Meguro River near Gotanda and Osaki are lit with around 390,000 pink LEDs, a winter version of the famous spring blossoms. The whole display runs on biodiesel made from cooking oil collected from local homes and restaurants.
Boroichi-dori, near Setagaya Daikan Yashiki, Setagaya
15 Dec - 16
A street market held on the same two days each December and January for over 440 years, with around 700 stalls of antiques, old kimono, tools, plants, and food along Boroichi-dori by the thatched-roof magistrate's residence. Ride the two-car Setagaya Line to Kamimachi to get there.
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
17 Dec - 19
Year-end fair held on the same three days every December since the Edo period, with around 50 stalls near the main hall selling ornate hagoita battledore paddles decorated with kabuki actors and celebrities of the year. Sellers and buyers clap hands together to close each sale.
Oji Inari Shrine, Oji
31 Dec
On New Year's Eve around 300 participants in fox masks and kimono walk by lantern light from Shozoku Inari Shrine to Oji Inari Shrine, recreating the fox gathering in Hiroshige's woodblock print of Oji. The main procession sets off around 11pm; a children's parade runs in the afternoon.
Zojo-ji Temple, Shibakoen
31 Dec - 1 Jan
Zojo-ji's great bell is struck 108 times around midnight on New Year's Eve, once for each earthly desire in Buddhist belief, with Tokyo Tower lit directly behind the main hall. Watching is free; a limited number of tickets to strike the bell are sold in advance.
Meiji Shrine, Harajuku
1 Jan - 3
Japan's busiest first shrine visit of the year, drawing around three million people over the first three days of January to pray, buy omamori charms, and draw fortunes. The approach through the forest stays open through the night of December 31 into January 1.
Ueno Toshogu Shrine Peony Garden, Ueno
1 Jan - 23 Feb (dates to be confirmed)
Around 160 winter peonies of some 40 varieties bloom under individual straw shelters in the garden beside the gilded Ueno Toshogu shrine, the largest winter peony display in the Kanto region. A quiet counterpoint to the crowds elsewhere in Ueno Park.
Haijima Daishi Temple, Akishima
2 Jan - 3
New Year daruma fair held on January 2 and 3 at a Tendai temple in western Tokyo, with close to 400 stalls selling daruma dolls, lucky charms, and plants. Visitors bring last year's daruma to be burned and buy a new one for the year ahead.
Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake
6 Jan (dates to be confirmed)
The Tokyo Fire Department's annual New Year review, with thousands of firefighters, fire engines, helicopters, and rescue boats in coordinated drills. The highlight is hashigo-nori, Edo-period firemen's acrobatics performed on top of bamboo ladders.
Tokyo Dome, Suidobashi
10 Jan - 19 (dates to be confirmed)
Regional food and festival fair filling Tokyo Dome for about ten days each January, with local dishes and craft sake from every prefecture plus full performances of festivals like the Aomori Nebuta and Akita Kanto pole balancing. A practical way to eat across Japan without leaving Tokyo.
Ryogoku Kokugikan, Ryogoku
10 Jan - 24
The first of the year's six grand sumo tournaments, 15 days of top-division bouts at the national sumo arena in Ryogoku. Top wrestlers fight from mid-afternoon; general ticket sales open in early December and weekends go fast.
Teppozu Inari Shrine, Hatchobori
10 Jan (dates to be confirmed)
On the second Sunday of January, around 100 white-clad participants bathe in a pool of ice water in the courtyard of this small shrine near Hatchobori, a purification rite held here since 1955. Chanting and warm-up runs start around 11am and spectators stand close to the action.
Boroichi-dori, near Setagaya Daikan Yashiki, Setagaya
15 Jan - 16
The January round of the 440-year-old Boroichi street market, with around 700 stalls of antiques, secondhand kimono, tools, and street food along Boroichi-dori. Look for daikan-mochi rice cakes, sold only at this market.
Zojo-ji Temple, Shibakoen
3 Feb
One of Tokyo's largest Setsubun bean-throwing ceremonies, with sumo wrestlers, actors, and people born in the year's zodiac sign scattering roasted beans from a stage to drive out demons before the traditional start of spring. Held in front of the main hall with Tokyo Tower behind.
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
3 Feb
Senso-ji's Setsubun features bean-throwing from a stage by the main hall, including rounds by kabuki actors and TV personalities, followed by the Fukuju no Mai dance of the Seven Lucky Gods. Asakusa's version chants that there are no demons before Kannon, so only good fortune is called in.
Hanegi Park, Umegaoka
6 Feb - 28 (dates to be confirmed)
Around 670 plum trees of more than 60 varieties bloom on a low hill in residential Setagaya, a short walk from Umegaoka Station. Weekend stalls sell plum-themed sweets, with mochi pounding, haiku classes, and outdoor tea ceremonies through the month.
Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, Yushima
8 Feb - 8 Mar (dates to be confirmed)
About 300 plum trees, most of them white late-blooming varieties, flower in the grounds of this shrine to the god of scholarship, with weekend outdoor tea ceremonies and performances. Students praying for exam success crowd the shrine at the same time, so the atmosphere is part festival, part study hall.
Sumida Park (Sumida-ku side), Sumida
16 Mar - 7 Apr (dates to be confirmed)
Cherry blossom festival on the east bank of the Sumida River, a hanami spot planted by shogun Yoshimune in the 1700s. A kilometre of trees is lit nightly from 6:30pm to 9pm, with Tokyo Skytree rising directly behind the blossoms.
Ueno Park, Ueno
17 Mar - 6 Apr (dates to be confirmed)
Hanami festival along Ueno Park's central avenue of roughly 1,000 cherry trees, with around 800 lanterns lit from 5pm to 8pm. Side events include an antique market by Shinobazu Pond and a flower market at Kiyomizu Kannon-do.
Tokyo Tower, Shibakoen
17 Mar - 6 May (dates to be confirmed)
333 carp streamers, one for each metre of the tower's height, fly at the main entrance from mid-March until Children's Day. Look for the single 6-metre pacific saury streamer flown for the Iwate town of Ofunato since 2011.
Rikugien Gardens, Komagome
18 Mar - 24 (dates to be confirmed)
The Edo-period landscape garden opens after dark for about a week so visitors can see its huge weeping cherry tree lit up, with last entry at 8pm. Dates shift with the bloom and are confirmed only about a week ahead; advance online tickets are slightly cheaper.
Sensoji Temple, Asakusa
18 Mar
An 18-metre, 88-kilogram golden dragon is carried dancing through Sensoji's grounds and Nakamise street by eight bearers, marking the day Kannon is said to have appeared in 628. Performances at 11:30am, 2pm, and 3:30pm on March 18 every year.
Chidorigafuchi Green Way, Chiyoda
25 Mar - 6 Apr (dates to be confirmed)
The moat path northwest of the Imperial Palace is lined with about 260 cherry trees, illuminated nightly until 9pm during peak bloom. Rowboats on the moat give the classic view of petals drifting on the water; book ahead, the queue gets long.
Meguro River, Nakameguro, Nakameguro
27 Mar - 28 (dates to be confirmed)
Festival weekend on the Meguro River, where roughly 800 cherry trees arch over the canal between Ikejiri-Ohashi and Meguro. Pink bonbori lanterns glow along both banks in the evenings through the bloom period, with food stalls near Nakameguro Station.
Koganei Park, Koganei
27 Mar - 28 (dates to be confirmed)
Local festival among Koganei Park's 1,400 cherry trees of some 50 varieties, held around the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. Around 30 food stalls, taiko performances, and far thinner crowds than any central Tokyo hanami spot.
Harimazaka Sakura Namiki, Koishikawa
27 Mar - 28 (dates to be confirmed)
About 120 cherry trees line the broad Harimazaka slope near Myogadani, one of the Bunkyo ward flower festivals. The festival weekend brings food trucks, stage performances, and guided walks to a street most visitors never find.
Nezu Shrine, Nezu
1 Apr - 30 (dates to be confirmed)
Around 3,000 azalea bushes of 100 varieties bloom on the hillside beside Nezu Shrine's vermilion torii tunnel, peaking mid to late April. Garden entry is a few hundred yen depending on bloom stage, with food stalls and plant vendors on the grounds.
Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Kameido
10 Apr - 5 May (dates to be confirmed)
Tokyo's best wisteria display, with over 100 plants on 15 trellises hanging over the shrine pond and its two arched red bridges, a scene Hiroshige printed in the 1850s. The blooms are lit up after dusk at peak, usually late April.
Sensoji Temple, Asakusa
11 Apr (dates to be confirmed)
Eight dancers in white heron costumes parade through Sensoji's grounds with 19 musicians, warriors, and a parasol bearer, performing a Heian-era plague-dispelling ritual revived in 1968. Held the second Sunday of April at 11am and 2:30pm.
Yoyogi Park Event Square, Yoyogi
17 Apr - 18 (dates to be confirmed)
Japan's largest environmental festival, running since 2001, fills Yoyogi Park's event plaza with organic food stalls, NGO booths, craft vendors, and live music over a mid-April weekend. Free entry and a reliably good vegetarian lunch stop.
Sumida Park (Taito-ku side), Asakusa
17 Apr (dates to be confirmed)
Archers in medieval hunting dress gallop along a riverside track in Sumida Park firing at wooden targets, a Taito ward revival of Edo-period mounted archery. The morning kusajishi target contest is free; the afternoon yabusame runs have ticketed seating.
Meiji Shrine, Harajuku
29 Apr - 3 May
Five days of traditional arts offered to the shrine deities: bugaku court dance, Noh and kyogen, gagaku, hobu martial arts, and ikebana, performed on an outdoor stage in the inner precinct. All performances are free to watch, held April 29 to May 3 each year.
Okunitama Shrine, Fuchu
30 Apr - 6 May
A thousand-year-old festival at Fuchu's Okunitama Shrine, named for the mikoshi processions once carried in total darkness. Public highlights run over Golden Week: the koma-kurabe horse ritual on May 3, massive taiko drums, and the main night procession of May 5.
Ryogoku Kokugikan, Ryogoku
9 May - 23
Fifteen days of top-division sumo at the national arena, one of three Tokyo tournaments each year. Arena seats start around ¥3,000 and cheap same-day tickets exist, but weekend and final days sell out well in advance.
Kanda Myojin Shrine and surrounding districts, Kanda
14 May - 16 (dates to be confirmed)
One of Tokyo's three great festivals, held at full scale only in odd years, so 2027 is a main festival year. A day-long costumed procession winds through Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara on the Saturday, and some 200 mikoshi converge on the shrine the following day.
Asakusa Shrine, Asakusa
21 May - 23 (dates to be confirmed)
Asakusa's rowdiest weekend, when around 100 mikoshi including the shrine's three great portable shrines are carried through the neighbourhood's streets by roughly two million participants and spectators. Held the third Friday to Sunday of May.
Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake
22 May - 23 (dates to be confirmed)
Asia's largest freeform art event, with thousands of booths of independent illustrators, craftspeople, fashion makers, and performers selling and showing work across Tokyo Big Sight's halls. The spring edition usually lands on a late-May weekend.
Horikiri Shobuen Iris Garden, Horikiri
25 May - 13 Jun (dates to be confirmed)
Roughly 6,000 irises of 200 varieties, many of them Edo-period cultivars, bloom in the garden that appears in Hiroshige's woodblock prints. A second venue at Mizumoto Park adds about 14,000 more plants, with weekend stage events and evening lighting.
Meiji Jingu Gyoen (Inner Garden), Harajuku
1 Jun - 30 (dates to be confirmed)
About 1,500 irises of 150 varieties bloom along the stream in the shrine forest's walled inner garden, planted by Emperor Meiji for Empress Shoken. Kiyomasa's Well sits at the far end of the iris field; the 500 yen maintenance fee keeps crowds thinner than the free shrine grounds.
Takahata Fudoson Kongoji Temple, Hino
1 Jun - 30 (dates to be confirmed)
Around 7,800 hydrangeas of some 250 varieties line the hillside paths behind this Shingon temple in western Tokyo, a five-minute walk from Takahata-Fudo Station on the Keio Line. The mountain loop trail past the 88-site mini pilgrimage is at its best in late June.
Hakusan Shrine and Hakusan Park, Hakusan
5 Jun - 13 (dates to be confirmed)
Around 3,000 hydrangeas bloom across the small hillside grounds of Hakusan Shrine and the adjacent park, with weekend plant sales and stalls run by local neighbourhood associations. The shrine's hydrangea-covered fujizuka mound opens to climbers only during the festival.
Torigoe Shrine, Kuramae
5 Jun - 6 (dates to be confirmed)
Neighbourhood festival built around Tokyo's heaviest mikoshi, a 4-ton portable shrine carried through the backstreets between Kuramae and Asakusabashi. The Sunday night return to the shrine, lit by lanterns, is the highlight; held on the weekend closest to June 9.
Hie Shrine, Akasaka
7 Jun - 17 (dates to be confirmed)
One of Edo's three great festivals, held at Hie Shrine every June. The grand procession through central Tokyo only runs in even years, so 2027 is a quieter edition limited to shrine rituals, tea ceremony, and evening bon odori on the grounds.
Kappabashi Hon-dori, Asakusa
2 Jul - 7 (dates to be confirmed)
Star festival along the 1.2 km shopping street between Ueno and Asakusa, hung with bamboo branches and paper streamers made by local shops and schools. The main weekend closes the street to traffic for parades, street performers, and food stalls.
Iriya Kishimojin (Shingenji Temple), Iriya
6 Jul - 8
Japan's largest morning glory market, held on the same three days every year since the Edo period, with about 120 growers' stalls lining Kototoi-dori in front of Iriya Kishimojin temple. Stalls open around 5am, when the flowers are at their best.
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
9 Jul - 10
Two-day Edo-era market where around 100 stalls sell potted hozuki (ground cherry) plants with glass wind chimes in the Senso-ji temple grounds. A prayer at the temple on July 10 is traditionally worth 46,000 days of merit, which is why the market grew up around this date.
Yasukuni Shrine, Kudanshita
13 Jul - 16
Obon festival of remembrance held on the same four days each July, with some 30,000 paper lanterns stacked in glowing walls along the shrine's long approach. Evenings bring mikoshi, Nebuta floats, and traditional dance; the lanterns are lit from dusk to 9:30pm.
Kagurazaka-dori and Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple, Kagurazaka
21 Jul - 24 (dates to be confirmed)
Four-evening festival on the old geisha quarter's sloping main street: a hozuki (ground cherry) market around Bishamonten temple on the first two nights, then Awa Odori troupes dancing up the hill on the final two. Much smaller and easier to see than Koenji's version.
Edogawa riverbed, Shibamata, Shibamata
27 Jul (dates to be confirmed)
Around 15,000 to 20,000 shells launched close to the grassy riverbank, so the bursts fill the sky directly overhead. Held on a Tuesday evening in late July; pairing it with a visit to Shibamata Taishakuten and its retro shopping street is the classic move.
Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple, Tsukiji
28 Jul - 31 (dates to be confirmed)
Four nights of bon dancing around a yagura tower in front of the temple's unusual stone Indian-style main hall. Known as the best-fed bon odori in Tokyo because the food stalls are run by restaurants from the old Tsukiji market district.
Shinjuku Station east and west exit streets, Shinjuku
31 Jul (dates to be confirmed)
Okinawan eisa drum-dance troupes, around 20 of them, parade through the streets on both sides of Shinjuku Station for an afternoon and evening. Free to watch from anywhere along the routes; held on the last Saturday of July.
Sumida River between Sakurabashi and Kototoibashi bridges, Asakusa
31 Jul (dates to be confirmed)
Tokyo's oldest fireworks festival, dating to 1733, launches about 20,000 shells from two river sites near Asakusa on the last Saturday of July. Streets and bridges close for viewing and the crowds reach several hundred thousand, so claim a spot early or watch from Sumida Park.
Arakawa riverbed, Itabashi, Itabashi
7 Aug (dates to be confirmed)
Around 15,000 shells fired in sync with the Todabashi festival on the opposite Saitama bank, effectively doubling the show. The finale is a 700 meter Niagara Falls cascade along the river; usually the first Saturday of August, with free viewing areas upstream.
Meiji Jingu Gaien (Meiji Jingu Stadium), Aoyama
7 Aug - 15 (dates to be confirmed)
The only major fireworks show in central Tokyo, with about 10,000 shells launched over the Jingu Gaien sports grounds and watched from ticketed seats inside Meiji Jingu Stadium and Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground. Held on one evening in mid August; the 2027 date is announced in spring.
Hibiya Park, Grand Fountain plaza, Hibiya
27 Aug - 28 (dates to be confirmed)
Office workers and locals dance in huge concentric circles around Hibiya Park's fountain to the Marunouchi Ondo, a song written for this event in 1932. One of the easiest bon odori for beginners to join; anyone can step into the circle.
Shopping streets around Koenji Station, Koenji
28 Aug - 29 (dates to be confirmed)
Tokyo's biggest Awa Odori, with roughly 10,000 dancers in about 160 troupes moving through eight routes in the streets south and north of Koenji Station over two evenings. Running since 1957 and drawing close to a million spectators; arrive before 5pm for a kerbside spot.
Umamichi-dori and Kaminarimon-dori, Asakusa
28 Aug (dates to be confirmed)
Competitive samba parade contest running since 1981, with around 5,000 dancers and full escola-style floats from teams across Japan filling the streets south of Senso-ji for an afternoon. Usually the last Saturday of August, from around noon to 5pm.
This page lists 233 upcoming Tokyo events across the year ahead: festivals, markets, art exhibitions, garden openings, illuminations, and traditional performances. Each one shows dates, the venue, and the location, and annual events whose exact dates are not yet announced are marked "dates to be confirmed".
Weekly. New events are added as they are announced and past events drop off automatically, so the list always covers roughly the next three months.
Most neighbourhood shrine festivals and street events are free to walk into, you only pay for food stalls and games. Exhibitions, some illuminations, and seated performances usually charge admission, check the linked official page for each event.