Tokyo events for Monday, October 30 to Sunday, November 5, 2023.
While Tuesday brings us Halloween, there aren’t too many themed events happening this week.
Instead, there are city-wide dance performances, fireworks tournaments, a samurai parade, and the start of chrysanthemum season.
Note: Shibuya’s mayor has strongly discouraged people from coming to Shibuya this Halloween, citing serious safety concerns. Attendance is basically banned.
Dream Yosacoy (Yosakoi) Festival
Dream Yosacoy — as you can tell from the name — is a bit different. While most outdoor dance festivals are held during the hot summer months, this one is on the cusp of winter. It’s a big deal though. The festival usually attracts 500,000 spectators and 7,000 dancers split into 100 teams.
Tokyo Art Week
In collaboration with Art Basel and sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, AWT gives you the chance to hop on and off a bus for free, visiting more than 50 special exhibitions and venues all over Tokyo. There will be galleries, museums, and event spaces participating.
Free Japanese Language Meetup Every Saturday
The WeLearn Community makes learning a new language fun and inexpensive. You can also experience cultural activities such as learning yo-yo from a specialist. It is a welcoming environment for anyone who wants to learn Japanese — no matter your level.
Nomi no Ichi Antique Market
Held twice a year (in spring and fall) and gaining a strong following, this antique fair usually takes place at the Green Culture Zone in National Showa Memorial Park. Since this is an outdoor market they do sometimes cancel in case of rain and will announce at 7 a.m. on the day via their website.
| Advance sales: ¥1,500 | At the door: ¥2,000 | |
Deutschland Festival
This German Festival is co-sponsored by the German Embassy, so you know it’s the real deal. There will be plenty of fresh food stalls with sausages, pastries, pretzels, and traditional dishes galore along with wines and beers to wash them down with.
Suginami Festa
The Suginami Festa is a large family-oriented community festival. It’s held at Suginami Kuritsu Momoi Harappa Park, which is a few bus stops from Ogikubo Station on the Chūō Line.
Aoyama Festival
The annual Aoyama Festival, also known as the Aoyama Matsuri takes place at the Aoyama Campus — part way between Shibuya and Omotesandō Stations. The festival includes a number of different types of events along with markets, talk shows, concerts, and a fashion show.
Narita Fireworks Festival
Tucked away into one of the quieter corners of Chiba, the Inbanuma area is known for its old Buddhist temples and traditions that span back several centuries. During fall, the town shines its brightest as streamers and balls of fireworks are shot into the cool night air.
Hakone Daimyo March
This is a parade recreating a feudal Japanese sankin kotai, or daimyo journey. This is definitely one for the history-lovers or anyone who enjoys pomp and ceremony; there will be between 100 to 200 participants in period costumes dressed as samurai, geisha, Yakko warriors, workers, and princesses.
Meiji Jingū Shrine Yabusame
This is a chance to watch yabusame, the impressive Japanese martial art of horse-mounted archery (it’s quite difficult to hit a target from a moving horse). This is part of the annual Autumn Festival which features a host of events from the 1st – 3rd of November each year at Meiji Jingū Shrine.
Downtown Drinks #42: The Meaning of Life
Join us, Tokyo Cheapo, for our 42nd Downtown Drinks and get to networking, meeting new people, and enjoying a few hard-earned drinks. We are starting a little earlier this week at 6 p.m. This event is meant for everyone — from readers to travelers to mysterious strangers. Whether you’re looking to network, meet new people, or just get outside into the open air.
Mt. Takao Autumn Leaves Festival
November is the best time to see the autumn leaves on Mt. Takao. The “Mt. Takao Autumn Leaves Festival” is held in time with this season. On weekends and holidays throughout the month, there are various exhibitions like taiko drumming, Japanese orchestra performances, yosakoi dancing, and concerts held at the cable car Kiyotake Station plaza.
Fuji-Kawaguchiko Fall Leaves Festival
An annual autumn festival held to celebrate the beautiful changing leaves of the area. The well-known Momiji Tunnel is a highlight, with evening illuminations from sunset until 10 p.m. There will be food stalls, performances, and local specialties to try, with crowds expected for weekends.
Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition
A great chance to see some of Japan’s best fireworks outside of the summer festivals. This is a competitive display admired across the country. The main area that is usually open to the public (downstream along the river near the JR Joban Line) now requires tickets costing from ¥3,000.
Tokyo Ramen Festa
Formerly known as Tokyo Ramen Show, this food festival is still exactly what it says on the bowl — lots and lots of ramen. If you’ve ever wondered about all the different styles from around Japan, this is your chance to try them out.
Tokyo Motor Show
The biennial Tokyo Motor Show is one of the world’s premier auto shows. The opening day for the public is the 28th. You can either buy a preview ticket for access between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. or opt for general access from 10 p.m. to 6 (on Sun.) or 7 p.m. (on Sat. and Mon.).
| Advance sales: ¥2,700 | At the door: ¥3,000 | |
Chrysanthemum Festivals
Because of the chrysanthemum’s significance in Japan, there are several flower festivals dedicated to it, and here are a few of them. For more fall flowers check out our full article.
- Kameido Tenjin Chrysanthemum Festival (Oct. 22–Nov. 23)
- Jindai Botanical Gardens Chrysanthemum Show (Oct. 28–Nov. 19)
- Takahata Fudoson Chrysanthemum Festival (Oct. 27–Nov. 18)
- Yushima Tenjin Chrysanthemum Festival (Nov. 1–Nov. 22)
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