Tokyo events for Monday, October 2 to Sunday, October 8, 2023.
October is upon us and we have a selection of great events so you can cuddle up close as the nights get cooler.
Citizens’ festivals take over in Meguro, Edogawa, and Yanaka, so expect performances from locals and plenty of family-fun activities. But there are also activities around Tokyo for the cutlery, art, fireworks, and cinema lovers to explore.
Shinjuku Park Cinema Festival
Autumn brings the perfect weather for snuggling up and watching a movie — especially when that movie is being shown for free on a big screen outside. Shinjuku is once again holding its outdoor cinema festival. This year, there will be three movies to cover the three days of the festival.
Fujisawa Enoshima Fireworks Festival
While usually happening over one day in October, this year will see two days holding a 20-minute fireworks display on October 7 and 20. Despite not being the large event of past years — there will be 900 fireworks each day — there will still be plenty of onlookers packed onto the beachfront of Katase Enoshima.
Kappabashi Kitchenware Festival
Officially the “Kappabashi Dōgu Matsuri” (Kappabashi Tool Festival), this festival is a showcase of Tokyo’s premiere neighborhood for both amateur and professional kitchen supplies — from knives to porcelain to realistic plastic food models.
Candlelight Concert: Favorite Anime Themes
Warm up a chilled October night with candlelight and your favorite anime theme songs. A string quartet will take you on a journey through anime songs from hits such as Tokyo Ghoul, Naruto, Demon Slayer, and One Piece. Take in the dreamy performances while being surrounded by candles.
Fukuro Festival (Yosakoi)
The Fukuro Festival began in 1968 as a promotional event for four local shopping districts on the west side of Ikebukuro Station. Since then, it has grown to be one of the largest events in the area with two parts. This is the second half: The Tokyo Yosakoi Festival.
Sanrio Puroland Halloween
Join your favorite Sanrio characters this Halloween at this special PUROHALLOWEEN event, which is held at Sanrio Puroland from September 8 to October 31. This year’s theme is ‘Kuromi x Black x Wizard’. Get tickets here.
Design Touch
Held for the 65th time, Design Touch is an innovative art event happening in and around Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi. This year, there will be an “earth archipelago” on the lawn behind Tokyo Midtown.
Onjuku Ise-ebi Festival
The waters off the coast of Onjuku on the eastern side of the Boso Peninsula are famed for spiny lobster or ise-ebi. This festival gives you a chance to eat lots of lobster with lots of other people. Along with eat-as-you-go stalls, there are packages for fixed prices.
Yanaka Matsuri
The festival includes dance and music performances, food, festival games, a bazaar, and a stamp rally. If you’ve ever wondered what a Hula troupe performing in a graveyard might be like, this is your chance to find out.
The Railway Festival
Timed to coincide with National Railway Day, there will be booths from the main rail companies, and Thomas the Tank Engine — a perennial favorite of pre-school children everywhere — will be there too. All of Japan takes railways seriously, which is why we have awesome trains like the Shinkansen and why the Ministry of Land Transport is the official organizer of this event.
Edogawa Citizens Festival
Meet the official festival character Happy-chan and get down with the fine citizens of Tokyo’s closest ward to Chiba. There will be performances, a character show, as well as a happy square, fresh square, friends square, and the usual selection of delicious festival foods.
Meguro Citizens Festival
Happening at the same time as the Meguro Sanma (saury fish) Matsuri, Meguro Citizens Festival is a fun-filled day out for all the family. Every autumn, the folks of Meguro Ward chow down on fresh Pacific saury fish, shop for local specialties, and watch rakugo Japanese comedy.
Jiyūgaoka Megami Matsuri
Also known as the Goddess Festival, this annual event held in the area around Jiyūgaoka Station was established in 1973. There are wine and food stands with fall specialties, and vendors galore to go along with the wide variety of musical performances.
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