Written by Patrick Balfe
Tokyo International Comedy Festival is back for 11 days of laughs.
What to expect
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.
Schedule
Beyond the festival’s special events, Tokyo Comedy Bar’s regular hit shows will also make an appearance, including:
- LOLs in Translation: English-language comedy about life in Japan and learning Japanese
- BAKU-Show: Japanese-language stand-up featuring comedians from Japan and around the world
- The Last Train Show: A late-night comedy club experience
- Black Joke: A showcase of some of the best Black and African comedians performing in Japan
Also returning is the fourth edition of Roastfest, one of the festival’s biggest draws. International comedians will go head-to-head with some of Tokyo’s finest in Asia’s biggest-ever Roast Battle.
The 2026 festival will also feature two major competitions: King of Kanto Comedy (English-language) and the Tokyo Comedy Grand Prix (Japanese-language), along with a packed lineup of performances at Tokyo Comedy Bar and satellite venues across the city. Visit the official website for the full schedule.
Access
Tokyo Comedy Bar is the main hub of this year’s activities. TCB is a short walk from the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station and an even shorter walk from the Inokashira Line at Shibuya Station.
Apart from Tokyo Comedy Bar, other venues this year include:
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 207 m from Shibuya Station Fukutoshin Line (C16)Ginza Line (G1)Hanzomon Line (Z1)Yamanote Line (JY20)Keio Inokashira Line (IN1)Tōkyū Den-en-toshi Line (DT1)Tōkyū Tōyoko Line (TY1)
- 0.6 km from Shinsen Station Keio Inokashira Line (IN2)
