Written by Patrick Balfe
Tokyo events for Monday, September 21, to Sunday, September 27, 2026.
With the harvest moon on Friday, this week is all about moon gazing. Moon Art Night returns to Shimokitazawa with a few new additions, while shrines, gardens, and observatories around the city host their own lunar events. Also worth checking out this week are Noh performances in Shinjuku, the Tokyo International Comedy Fest, and traditional festivals and fireworks around the city.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden Mori no Takigi Noh
Traditional Japanese Noh theatre is a uniquely immersive art form that lovers of Japanese culture can’t miss. At Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, you can enjoy the drama surrounded by nature.
Roppongi Matsuri
The gods enshrined at Tenso Shrine — located between Tokyo Midtown and the National Art Center — go for a spin around the neighborhood in their fancy (little) portable shrines on the Sunday starting at 12:30 p.m.
Nezu Shrine Festival
Nezu Shrine Festival has been held since the days when Tokyo was still Edo, when it ranked among the city’s grandest. What sets 2026 apart is the shinkōsai, the grand procession of the shrine’s large mikoshi, which takes place only once every four years.
Ōkunitama Shrine Autumn Festival/Chestnut Festival
The Autumn Festival at Ōkunitama Jinja Shrine is also called the Chestnut Festival because — you guessed it — the region is known for its top-quality chestnuts. Apparently, they were presented to the Tokugawa Clan during the Edo period because they are that good.
Fukagawa Jugoya (Moon-Viewing) Festival
To celebrate the autumn full moon, Tomioka Hachimangū Shrine will be hosting a tsukimi (moon-viewing party) as part of its annual Mid-Autumn Festival. The shrine grounds will be lit up, and performers — such as Japanese dancers and singers — will appear live on a special stage.
Mukōjima-Hyakkaen Garden Moon Viewing
Moon viewing at the historical Mukōjima-Hyakkaen Garden will include cultural performances such as koto playing, as well as tea ceremonies and lantern painting.
| At the door: ¥150 | ||
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.
Ōhara Naked Festival
On the first day of the Ōhara Naked Festival, participants carry portable, shoulder-borne shrines (mikoshi) to the sea for a dunking — which goes a long way towards explaining the costumes.
Moon Art Night Shimokitazawa
The hip neighborhood of Shimokitazawa 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, headlined by Luke Jerram’s gigantic Museum of the Moon at the Shimokita Senrogai Open Space.
Ikebukuro Fukuro Festival (Mikoshi)
Ikebukuro Fukuro Festival takes over the entire neighborhood of Ikebukuro across two weekends. The first weekend includes an opening ceremony as well as mikoshi (portable shoulder-borne shrines) parades, taiko drum shows, lion dances, and heaps more.
Peace Day
Peace Day on September 21 is an outdoor festival at Yoyogi Park, packed with events and activities. You’ll hear guest speakers, enjoy live music, and check out unique art exhibits.
Tokyo National Museum – Free Admission Day
Tokyo National Museum’s regular exhibitions are free to the public on the third Monday of September, the Respect for the Aged Day national holiday. The museum exhibits around 600 works of art in fields such as painting, calligraphy, sculpture, and archaeology.
Tokyo Game Show
Tokyo Game Show remains one of the top gaming shows in the world — and 2026 is its biggest outing yet. The 36th edition marks 30 years since the first show in 1996, and runs for a record five days under the theme “The Longest Five Days of Nonstop Play.”
| Advance sales: ¥3,000 | ||
Fiesta Mexicana
Taking place near Aqua City shopping center in Odaiba, Fiesta Mexicana celebrates Mexican traditions and food culture. Around 20 stalls offer artisanal crafts and authentic Mexican food. In past years, we’ve spied tacos, churros, and churrasco, as well as drinks like tequila and horchata.
Odaiba Drone Show
One thousand drones fly over Tokyo Bay on eight nights in September, drawing a “Pixel Moon” and a run of game, anime, and film characters above Rainbow Bridge. Watching costs nothing.
Candlelight Concert: The Nutcracker and More
A string quartet and two ballet performers will take you on a journey through The Nutcracker, plus some pieces from Swan Lake and other recognizable classics.
Starry Moon Viewing at Cosmo Planetarium Shibuya
Cosmo Planetarium Shibuya marks the harvest moon with a one-night run of themed screenings, most of which finish with a rooftop viewing session over the Shibuya skyline.
Kita Fireworks Festival
Around 10,000 fireworks will be shot into the sky to popular music, elaborate lighting effects, and drones.
Ōarai Marine Fireworks Festival
The Ōarai Marine Fireworks Festival is one of the newer fireworks on the annual calendar, but it doesn’t mess around when it comes to scale and extravagance. On top of that, this year will also see an aerial appearance from Whisky Papa, Japan’s top aerobatic team.
Koidegawa Spider Lily Festival
This is an annual event held along a three-kilometer stretch of river in Fujisawa City, Chigasaki City, and Samukawa Town. While it might not exactly be a contender for the big spider lily festival in Saitama, it’s certainly a wholesome, low-key option.
Namaste India
With the links between India and Japan getting stronger, this festival gets bigger and bigger each year. There will be a large number of different food and drink stalls, musical performances, lectures, and other displays.
Pirates of Tokyo Bay: English & Japanese Improv Comedy
For over a decade, The Pirates of Tokyo Bay have been creating hilarious improvised comedy scenes, stories, and songs based on cues from the audience. The monthly shows are frequented by a loyal and inclusive fanbase and are a great way to get involved in Tokyo’s improv and comedy community.
| Advance sales: ¥2,500 | At the door: ¥2,500 | |
Japan-Korea Exchange Festival
Held at the Korean Cultural Center in Japan, the Tokyo version of the festival will feature everything from Korean food products to tae kwon do displays, and traditional dances and music, including performances by K-pop artists.
Tokyo International Comedy Festival
TICF is East Asia’s largest stand-up comedy festival. The event brings together Japanese and international comedians performing across the city in all manner of intimate club performances, showcases, competitions, podcasts, and experimental comedy events.
Harvest Moon and Corn Moon Viewing Ikebukuro
Sunshine 60 Observatory turns its 60th-floor deck into a moon-watching station for four nights, covering both the harvest moon and the full moon that arrives two days later.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
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