Tokyo events for Monday, September 9 to Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Every corner of Tokyo is putting on a festival — from Kichijōji to Shibuya — so why not be a part of the festivities.
The moon rises again in Shimokitazawa, Shibuya is putting on its biggest traditional festival of the year, and Asakusa has a samba parade. Music, beer, and Hello Kitty also feature throughout the city, so take your pick.
Tokyo International Comedy Festival
Both Japanese and international comedians take to the stage, performing in English and Japanese. The festival will also include ROASTFEST 2024 (September 13 to 15), featuring LA-based Hall of Fame battlers — Kim Congdon (Netflix, Comedy Central, Joe Rogan) and Keith Carey (Comedy Central) — as well as other visitors taking on Tokyo’s best.
Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa
The hip neighborhood will celebrate the start of autumn and the Japanese tradition of tsukimi (moon viewing) by holding an art festival on its streets. You can expect powerful installations, including a gigantic moon and a fluffle of lit-up bunnies. There will also be paintings.
Kichijōji Fall Festival
On both days of the festival, the mikoshi (portable shrines) from the various neighborhoods of Kichijōji will be jiggled and jostled around the streets. There will also be other traditional performances in the area, as well as stalls and fairs to enjoy.
Ultra Japan
Ultra Japan is the biggest EDM festival in the country and you don’t even need to catch the train to a paddock in the middle of nowhere to enjoy it. The main headliners include Afrojack, Alesso, Armin Van Buuren, Soknock, and Steve Aoki.
Akasaka Hikawa Festival
The Akasaka Hikawa Matsuri is an easily accessible community festival with lots of activities and events. The festival features restored dashi, which are traditional wheeled floats. One of the floats features a not very traditional but quite impressive hydraulic lift which raises it up to about 5 metres in height.
Asakusa Samba Carnival
The Asakusa Samba Carnival is a big, blown-out affair, and the parade is finally back in its full glory for 2024. The carnival kicks off at 12 p.m. from Umamichi-Dori Street (near the Nitenmon Gate) and finishes on Kaminarimon Street at around 5 p.m.
257th Sakaki Festival
The very first Sakaki Matsuri was held in 1767. As part of the ceremony, a large Sakaki (it’s a variety of tree) is tied with strips of paper then carried and shaken rather vigorously on its way through the town to the shrine. This festival has been held continuously since the time when Tokyo was known as Edo, being one of the more well-known festivals from the period. As is typical, there will be processions with energetically paraded mikoshi (portable shrines) on Sunday as well as yatai (food stalls), taiko drumming, and dancing around the shrine on both days. The unique feature of the Setagaya Hachimangū Shrine Fall Festival is the ritual sumo that takes place on a dohyo in front of the shrine. The ritual sumo — known as hōnōsumo — is open to the public and takes place on Saturday. Ark Hills Autumn Festival 2024 is a fall festival for both the traditional and the modern. Enjoy a performance on the taiko drums, or dance along with the Bon Odori dancers in the evenings. If you’re looking for a great holiday snap, there’s even a bamboo sculpture that’ll make the perfect selfie spot. Every autumn, Konno Hachimangu Shrine holds one of the biggest festivals in Shibuya. There are several different events taking place from September 13 to September 15, including a special prayer session, a Shinto-style dance demonstration (kagura), and the biggest of all: a large mikoshi (portable shrine) parade in Aoyama and Shibuya. Around 90 different brewers from throughout Japan and a few from overseas will be in attendance serving over 400 different beers. Breweries in attendance include Coedo, Devilcraft, Y.Market Brewing, and Kyoto Brewing Company. Notable absentees are Baird Beer and Minoh Beer. Entry to the venue is free and the standing table and picnic area will cost nothing to use. The Ōmiya Hachiman Festival, also known as the Autumn Grand Festival, is held every September at Ōmiya Hachiman Shrine and is one of the most important matsuri of the year. Many different events are held including portable shrine parades in the local area, an archery ritual, taiko drumming, and an Eisa dance display. Fiesta Mexicana takes place along the West Promenade next to the Aqua City shopping center in Odaiba. The festival runs for three days and is filled with food, fun, and entertainment. It’s not the largest festival in Tokyo, but this year promises to be even bigger and better than before. ‘Daradara’ means ‘endless’ — a name earned due to the extraordinary length of this traditional festival. While most shrine festivals go for two or three days, this one goes for 11 days — the longest of any traditional matsuri (festival) in Japan. Although the festival spans 11 days, the main day is on Sunday, September 15, 2024. Despite the name, Oktoberfest will be in Shiba Park this September with German music, food, and of course, beer! Across two weeks, you’ll be able to hang out in Shiba Park and get a taste of German culture. There will be a mix of imported and local beer and wine, along with drinking, snacks, and some live performances to get you in the mood. Come and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Japan’s cutest character, Hello Kitty, at this special pop-up café. The menu has a red theme, just like Hello Kitty’s bow. Notable dishes include a two-tiered afternoon tea (say that twice), a pancake plate that has Hello Kitty’s face on it, and savory items like sandwiches and pasta. The festival is held in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture on the weekend before Japan’s Respect for the Aged holiday. See a Shinto prayer ceremony on Friday, as well as traditional dress and decorations. Upcoming names include Weezer, Tate McRae, Judas Priest, and more. Tokyo events for Monday, September 16 to Sunday, September 22, 2024. Sumo, autumn flowers, festivals with floats, Tokyo Game Show, and more. Get ready for some of the best traditional Japanese festivals, fireworks, and cosplay of the year.
Nezu Shrine Festival
Setagaya Hachimangū Fall Festival
Ark Hills Autumn Festival
Shibuya Konno Hachimangu Annual Festival
Keyaki Beer Festival
Ōmiya Hachiman Festival (Autumn Grand Festival)
Fiesta Mexicana
Daradara Festival
Shiba Park Oktoberfest Autumn
Advance sales: ¥500 At the door: ¥500 Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Café
Advance sales: ¥660 Hie Shrine Annual Festival
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