Meiji Shrine Autumn Grand Festival

Every year during autumn, a Grand Festival is held at Meiji Shrine (the biggest and most important shrine in Tokyo).

This also coincides with the shrine’s chrysanthemum festival.

What happens?

The almost week-long festival features an impressive lineup of traditional performing arts presentations — led by masters in the field. The yabusame (horeseback archery) on November 3 is one of the main highlights.

Schedule 2023

The festival will set up a stage in front of the main shrine, as well as other areas in the precincts of the shrine. The yabusame and aikido will be held on the west lawn (the closest station is Yoyogi, not Harajuku).

The ceremonies/performances for this year:

• Nov. 1 (12:00): Noh and kyogen (classical Japanese theater)
• Nov. 1 (15:45): Sankyoku (traditional Japanese music)
• Nov. 2 (11:45): Classical Japanese music and dance
• Nov. 3 (9:00): Kyūdō (Japanese archery)
• Nov. 3 (9:00): Aikido (martial arts demonstrations)
• Nov. 3 (13:30): Yabusame (horseback archery)
• Nov. 3 (15:00): Satsuma biwa (Japanese lute)