Tokyo events for Monday, September 23 to Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Tokyo Game Show is the major draw of this week. But if you don’t have tickets, you can also head to fireworks near Akabane, immerse yourself in cultural festivals, grab a pint in Yokohama, or catch traditional processions in both Shinagawa and Ikebukuro.
The festivals are endless this week, so take a look below for all the rest, or check out our full event listings.
Kita Fireworks Festival
There’s no rule that fireworks festivals have to be on in summer, which means we can enjoy fireworks on a crisp autumn evening on the Arakawa Riverbanks close to Akabane Station. The fireworks begin at 6:30 p.m. and around 10,000 bolts burst into the sky before finishing at 7:30 p.m.
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Ōkunitama Shrine Autumn Festival/Chestnut Festival
This festival has a lot of history, going back all the way to 1738. Besides eating chestnuts, the highlight is the 260 paper lanterns that light the area. Starting in 1925 and now in the present day, hand-drawn pictures are sketched on the lamps, which makes for a fun display.
Fukuro Festival (Mikoshi)
The Fukuro Festival began in 1968 as a promotional event for four local shopping districts on the west side of Ikebukuro Station. Since then, it has grown to be one of the largest events in the area. The festival includes an opening ceremony as well as mikoshi (portable shoulder-borne shrines) parades, taiko drum shows, lion dances, hayashi festival music, yosakoi dancing, and an Okinawan Eisa Dance show.
Tokyo Game Show
Tokyo Game Show remains one of the top gaming shows in the world. While the first two days of the event are industry, influencers, and press only, days three and four are open to the sweaty masses. The show is on a huge scale with booths from all the major game publishers, console makers, and mobile gaming platforms with a few indies and international booths thrown in as well.
| Advance sales: ¥3,000 | ||
Japan-Korea Exchange Festival
The Nikkan Kōryu Matsuri (Japan-Korea Exchange Festival) is an event held simultaneously in both Tokyo and Seoul. Its aim is to bring Japan and Korea closer together.
Red Spider Lily Festival
As the Spider Lilies flower, the crowds once again gather. The Red Spider Lily or Manjushage (曼珠沙華), already a pretty little plant on its own, makes for an Instagram-winning blanket of color in the Kinchakuda fields in Hidaka, Saitama.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
Roppongi Art Night
Roppongi Art Night (modeled after the famous “Nuit Blanche” festivals worldwide) has become one of the biggest art events. Not only are the attendance numbers growing, but the scale of the event and installations, sub-events, and performances has also exploded. Large colorful bubbles will take over Roppongi Hills Arena and 2D and 3D neon lights shine in Tokyo Midtown. And don’t forget the giant banana peel in Lapiros Roppongi.
Shinagawa Shukuba Festival
The Shinagawa Shukuba Festival, also known as the Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri, is a festival celebrating Shinagawa’s history as the first rest stop on the Tokaidō Road heading south. This is a fun excuse for the locals to put on fancy dress and pretend to be samurai, geisha, courtesans, and other historical characters.
Vegan Gourmet Festival Autumn
This is Japan’s biggest plant-based festival. Tokyo, and Japan, have been known as not having the best restaurants and food options for vegans and vegetarians. But times are changing and events like the Vegan Gourmet Festival are making it easier to eat meat-free.
Namaste India
The Namaste India Festival returns to the event square at Yoyogi Park. There will be a large number of different food and drink stalls, musical performances, lectures, and other displays. There are scheduled performances all day on both Saturday and Sunday and around 200,000 visitors are expected.
Yokohama Oktoberfest
Yokohama Oktoberfest is back. Let’s get a bit tipsy at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Event Space. Slosh German pints of beer as you sing along to traditional music played throughout the day.
Ark Hills Music Week
There will be events held all around Minato City, including Suntory Hall and Ark Hills Karajan Square. As you walk around the town, you are bound to hear music coming from a variety of places. There will be free concerts, interactive experiences, and more.
Welcome Back to Engiyado Art Exhibition
At Yanaka’s Ryokan Sawanoya, see beautiful illustrations and sculptures created by local artists Erica Ward and Takao Sakai, as well as smell fragrances made by Perfumer Kō. In an effort to preserve the charm of Ryokan Sawanoya — a traditional Japanese inn — and attract travelers, this art exhibit gives you the chance to connect with local artists and admire beautifully made artwork.
Yomiuri Giants Baseball Game at Tokyo Dome
Things heat up inside Tokyo Dome as the Yomiuri Giants are up to bat on their home turf. Baseball games in Japan are an experience in themselves, no matter who you’re watching. Choreographed cheers and hand movements make the stadium buzz.
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