Tokyo events for Monday, November 6 to Sunday, November 12, 2023.
Events this week take a wintery turn as lights turn on for the annual illuminations and snow falls in Yoyogi Park.
Craft markets and art trade shows are also on the itinerary, as well as an outdoor cinema and a celebration of Cheese Day. This is also a great time to check out the autumn colors on a day trip from Tokyo.
Design Festa Vol. 58: Fall Edition
The fall edition of Design Festa (Vol. 58) will be held in mid-November at Tokyo Big Sight — one of the number of enormous buildings in Odaiba that looks like an alien landing craft. Design Festa will also feature live painting artists, creating artworks on huge 8m x 3.5m canvases before your very eyes over the course of the two-day event. Get tickets here.
| Advance sales: ¥800 | At the door: ¥1,000 | |
Kawaii Flea Market
Taking place in Ikebukuro, this small flea market is punted at the ladies, though, in our experience, can be a good time for all genders. Check it out for previously-loved clothing, crafts, antiques, and all sorts of other “cute” stuff. On its better days, the market features stalls by independent artists and craftspeople.
Snow Bank Pay It Forward
Practice your snowboarding skills and learn about the importance of bone marrow donations at this wintery event. In the event square at Yoyogi Park, snow will be trucked in and a slope with a rail down the middle for snowboarders will be constructed.
Cheese Festa
November 11 is Cheese Day in Japan. Conveniently timed to coincide, Cheese Festa is a two-day cheese-tasting festival taking place at Ebis303 in Ebisu. The festival will include a cheese recipe contest, “talk shows”, food and wine matching, and lots of cheese tasting with cheese producers from around the world.
The American Craft Beer Experience
Organized each year by the American Brewers Association, the American Craft Beer Experience is eagerly awaited by Tokyo craft beer aficionados. Along with some of the more famous imported brands, there will be varieties available that have not previously been available in Japan.
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.
Shinagawa International Film Festival
Shinagawa International Film Festival will show up to 27 short films at Shinagawa Intercity Central Garden for free. Along with the movies, you can enjoy the many food trucks, live performances, and illuminations that will be scattered around the festival.
Free Japanese Language Meetup Every Saturday
Come hang out in a café every Saturday in Akihabara and boost your Japanese skills. The WeLearn Community makes learning a new language fun and inexpensive. Japanese teachers for different levels play card and board games together with you in English and Japanese.
Tori-no-Ichi Fair I
Tori-no-ichi is an annual traditional festival held at shrines and temples nationwide on three separate days (rooster days) in November to wish for good luck and prosperity in business. The first will be held on Saturday, November 11 at the following shrines:
Winter Illuminations 2023
Winter is in the air as a few of Tokyo’s annual illuminations start this week. Look out for:
- Roppongi Hills Christmas Illumination 2023 (From Nov. 6)
- Tokyo Skytree Dream Christmas 2023 (From Nov. 9)
- Ebisu Garden Place Illumination 2023 (From Nov. 11)
- Meguro River Winter Illuminations 2023 (From Nov. 10)
- Tokyo Mega Illumination 2023 (From Nov. 11)
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