5The 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. Get scrolling.
For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide — organized by month.
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1. Tori-no-Ichi fairs
Get lucky
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:
2. Design Festa Vol. 60
Creativity on full display
The autumn 2024 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 during live painting sessions. If you’re interested 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.
| Advance sales: ¥800 | At the door: ¥1,000 | |
3. Fiesta de España
¡Vamos!
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.
4. Hakone Daimyo March
A blast from the past
The Hakone Daimyo March is a fascinating look into the past. Between 100 and 200 participants dress in historical costumes as they parade around the popular onsen town of Hakone. This is a reenactment of the daimyō (feudal lord)’s journey on the old Tōkaidō road that used to connect Kyoto to Tokyo. Along with the lord himself, there will be plenty of samurai, geisha, princesses, and other members of his entourage. Also, don’t miss out on the performances along the way.
5. Autumn leaves and light-ups
Get your fill of yellow leaves
The autumn foliage forecast predicts the end of November to be prime time for yellow leaves in Tokyo. This means plenty of festivals and light-ups in the capital’s gardens and along ginkgo-lined streets. The most famous of these are the Meiji Jingu Gaien Autumn Leaves Illumination and the Autumn Evening Illumination at Rikugien Gardens.
For more, see our full list of top fall leaves spots in Tokyo.
6. Winter illuminations
One of the best free things to do in Tokyo
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:
7. Fireworks Festivals
Bundle up and look up
When you think of fireworks in Japan, you don’t often think of November, but there are quite a few shooting off this month on the outskirts of the city, so grab your layers and bundle up on a river bed or open field to watch.
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 2024.
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