Written by Patrick Balfe
Tokyo events for Monday, January 26, to Sunday, February 1, 2026.
You can tell spring is around the corner when some of the city’s favorite festivals start to make an appearance. Tengu will march the streets of Shimokitazawa for an early Setsubun event, and monks at Manpukuji Temple will do some marching of their own at the annual fire-walking festival. Spring blossoms will bloom in Matsuda, and lucky kites will soar at Ōji Inari Shrine.
Shimokitazawa Tengu Festival
Every year during Japan’s Setsubun Festival, demon-like characters called tengu prowl the streets of Shimokitazawa.
Manpukuji Hibushi Fire-Walking Festival
As part of a cleansing ritual for the new year, monks rush through blazing flames to purify their minds at this annual festival.
Kite Market
Snag a lucky kite and make your fortunes soar. Similar to Daruma fairs (like Tokyo’s Jindaiji, among others), the Kite Market at Ōji Inari Shrine is for seasonal good luck: people buy protective charms for the year ahead.
Matsuda Wintersweet Festival
Home to over 20,000 wintersweet trees, the southern slope of Yadoriki’s Utsushige district will brim with delicate, waxy, yellow flowers and their distinctive sweet fragrance.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
Tokyo River Clean-Up
Tokyo River Friends organizes regular litter-picking events on the banks of the Arakawa and Edogawa rivers. As well as helping the environment, participants can enjoy a guided eco-walk experience along the riverside, learning about the wildlife on the water’s edge.
Tokyo Hot Cocktail Festival
This festival will be held in Ueno’s Onshi Park and focuses on, you guessed it, hot cocktails. Enjoy something sweet, sour, or even a little spicy as you warm yourself up with these unique creations.
Tokyo Streets: Photography Exhibition
Based in Shibuya, Tokyo Streets is a popular and long-running photography platform and exhibition series showcasing some of the best street photography of Tokyo and its surrounds.
Karaon Fest: Anime Karaoke and Club Experience
The latest installment of Karaon Fest once again puts a spotlight on anison (anime songs). Unleash your inner otaku and sing along to nostalgic hits from shows like Naruto, Dragon Ball, and One Piece — or discover something brand new.
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