The madness of Halloween might soon be over, but events in Tokyo haven’t lost their spark.

It’s the best time of year for kōyō (the viewing of autumn leaves), but on the days when you’re not getting out into nature, you’ll want to take note of these fun November events in Tokyo (and maybe the bonus ones at the bottom, too). Get scrolling.

For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide — organized by month.

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1. Tokyo Ramen Festa


Komazawa

The Tokyo Ramen Show has been rebranded as Tokyo Ramen Festa, but luckily most of the parts are still the same. You can sample steaming ramen from around 30 vendors over the course of two weeks, along with a wide range of styles — from tonkotsu to miso. Entry to Komazawa Olympic Park is free, but tickets for a bowl of ramen cost ¥1,000.

2. Tori-no-Ichi Fairs


Asakusa, Fuchu, Shinjuku

tori no ichi
It’s time for celebration at Tori no Ichi. | Photo by David Ishikawa

Held during the days of the rooster in the Chinese calendar, Tori no Ichi is a colorful and long-running fair that dates back to the Edo era. It’s all about wishing for luck and prosperity in business endeavors.

A few different shrines in Tokyo celebrate these auspicious days, here are the best-known ones:

3. Design Festa Vol. 58


Odaiba

Artists at work. | Photo by Chris Kirkland

The autumn 2023 edition of Design Festa, a biannual art and design showcase, will see around 11,000 exhibitors and many more attendees over two days. You’ll find booths and activities dedicated to all kinds of art: visual art, performance art, fashion, crafts, music, drama, dance, and more.

You’ll also get to see some artists at work as there will be live painting sessions. If you’ve got any interest in the contemporary art and design scene, this festa is a must-do. It’s punted as the biggest event of its kind in Asia.

4. Fiesta de España


Shibuya

Get your paella fix here. | Photo by iStock.com/siims

Billed as Japan’s largest festival for all things Spanish, Fiesta de España is the place to go for your paella and sangria fix. Of course, other Spanish favorites will be on offer for you to enjoy, but the event isn’t just a food festival. There will also be cultural performances, so you can enjoy flamenco and other forms of dance, Spanish music, and more. Just like in previous years, there may even be workshops.

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5. Winter illuminations

From November
All over Tokyo

Sparkle sparkle. | Photo by Getty Images

Many winter illuminations will commence in November. If you are stuck, take a look at our article on the best winter illuminations in Tokyo.

Some highlights include:

Bonus November events for 2024

Still stuck? Here are some more, but don’t forget to check out our full event listings.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. This post was first published in October 2016. Last updated October 2023.

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