Tokyo Events November 2022: 5 Not to Miss

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, Cheapos.

1. Tokyo Ramen Festa (Oct. 27–Nov. 6)

The Tokyo Ramen Show has been rebranded as Tokyo Ramen Festa in 2022, but luckily most of the parts are still the same. You will get your choice of 28 ramen 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.

Tokyo Ramen Festa 2023

Dates:26th Oct–5th Nov, 2023

Entry:Free

Venue:

Komazawa Olympic Park

Held during the days of the rooster in the Chinese calendar, Tori no Ichi is a colorful and long-running fair that dates all the way back to the Edo era. It’s all about wishing for luck and prosperity in business endeavors. A few other shrines also celebrate these auspicious days, but the best-known is the one held at Otori Shrine in Asakusa.

This year’s event dates are Nov. 3–4 , Nov. 15–16, and Nov. 27–28.

This year you must pre-register to join in the festivities (more info on the event listings above). If you don’t feel like traveling to Asakusa, there will be other Tori-no-Ichi fairs at shrines across Tokyo, including in Shinjuku, Nakano, and Shinagawa.

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Asakusa Tori-no-ichi Fair I

Dates:11th Nov, 2023

Entry:Free

Venue:

Ōtori Shrine

The autumn 2022 edition of the popular biannual art and design showcase Design Festa 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, so experience it while you’re in Tokyo.

Design Festa Vol. 58: Fall Edition

Dates:19th Nov–20th Nov, 2023

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥800	At the door: ¥1,000

Venue:

Tokyo Big Sight

4. Tokyo Comic Con (Nov. 25–27)

Tokyo Comic Con is definitely worth making the visit if you’re into non-Japanese fandoms: think Marvel and DC superheroes, Harry Potter, and the like. This is Japan’s biggest event for primarily Western pop culture, although you’re also welcome to cosplay as characters from Japanese fandoms too.

There will be an artist’s alley featuring popular, talented comic artists and animators, stage events, booths from big names in pop culture, cosplay gatherings, celebrity guests, and more. If you have cash to spend, go for the celebrity photo ops and signings — this year’s guests include Andy Serkis, Hayden Christensen, and Christopher Lloyd.

Tokyo Comic Con 2023

Dates:8th Dec–10th Dec, 2023

Price:

Adults:
Advance sales: ¥4,400
Students:
Advance sales: ¥2,500

Venue:

Makuhari Messe

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.

Fiesta de España 2023

Dates:

Mid

Nov

Entry:Free

Venue:

Yoyogi Park Events Square

Fireworks

November 5 is the night for fireworks in the United Kingdom and this year, the same can be said for Japan. There will be two shows on that date, one in Narita and one in Ibaraki.

Later in the month, there will also be the smaller scale Fujisawa Enoshima Fireworks Festival.

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Winter illuminations

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

Some highlights include:

Tokyo Mega Illumination (Oct. 15 to Jan, 9, 2023)
Marunouchi Illumination (Nov. 10 to Feb. 19, 2023)
Midtown Winter Lights (Nov. 17 to Dec. 25)

Other noteworthy events

the last two days of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2022.
Dream Yosacoy (Yosakoi) Festival (Nov. 5–6), featuring thousands of dancers
the Snow Bank Pay It Forward weekend (Nov. 12–13) in Yoyogi Park, where you can (in theory) snowboard in the middle of Tokyo.
the Cheese Festa (Nov. 11–12 at the event hall on the third floor of EBiS303, near Ebisu Station).
It’s chrysanthemums season and there are plenty of festivals to visit.