Dating back to 1968, the Fukuro Festival started in order to promote 4 local stores on the west side of Ikebukuro Station. Today, it has grown to be a large, two-part festival through late September to early October involving the whole neighborhood.

The first part is the Owl Festival (Fukuro means owl in Japanese) and the second part is known as the Tokyo Yosakoi Festival which features a Yosakoi dance battle. The festival features a mikoshi parade(portable shrine), taiko drum shows, hayashi festival music, yosokai dancing, food stalls and a lively atmosphere. Your Tokyo guide will give you some of the best festivals in Tokyo. Keep reading more!

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Tokyo Weekender

Location: 1 Chome Minamiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0022, Ikebukuro Station

Dates: Late September to early October

Website: N/A

How to get there: Ikebukuro Station is on the JR Yamanote, Saikyo, Shonan-Shinjuku Lines. It is also on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi, Yurakucho and Fukutoshin Lines. A 20 minute train ride from Tokyo Station on either the Yamanote or Marunouchi Lines.

 

If you’re in Japan during the spring time, you might be lucky enough to catch Japan’s renowned cherry blossom season. The arrival of the cherry blossoms signifies the start of spring in Japan. It’s so significant that there are cherry blossom forecasts and festivals to prepare for this event. The cherry blossoms only last for about a week so the timing is key on when you are able to see them.

Some of the best spots to see cherry blossoms are at the Ueno Sakura Festival at Ueno Park, Chiyoda no Sakura Festival at Yasukuni Shrine and at the Meguro River. Other spots include parks and gardens which are listed in our Destination Guide for great cherry blossom spots. For more information on Ueno Park and Yasukuni Shrine, click to find out more.

Photo credit: Nippon

Locations: Ueno Park, Chiyoda no Sakura Festival at Yasukuni Shrine, Meguro River

Dates: Late March to early April

Website: N/A

Below are the map locations for Ueno Park, Yasukuni Shrine and Meguro River in relative order.

 

 

 

Attracting over 300,000 people every year, the Ikegami Honmonji Temple holds its annual Oeshiki festival - a festival dedicated to the death of Nichiren. Nichiren is one of Japans most iconic Buddhist figures. This event is held throughout Japan, but the Honmonji event is considered to be the main event for Nichiren’s death because Nichiren passed away on Honmonji grounds. Aside from the traditional food stalls and carnival games, one of the main attractions is the lantern parade where over 3000 lanterns are carried from Ikegami Station to the temple. It makes for a beautiful, photogenic parade.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Tokyo Cheapo

Location: 1-1 Ikegami, Ota City, Tokyo 146-0082, Honmonji Temple

Dates: Oct 10-13ish.

Website: http://honmonji.jp/foreign/en.html

How to get there: A 15 minute walk from Ikegami Station on the Ikegami Line.

 

Yabusame is the traditional martial art of archery from horseback. It’s an impressive and difficult task where horsemen try to hit a target while riding a horse. On the second Monday of October on National Sports and Health Day, there is a yabusame event at Toyama Park. This annual event has been around since 1728 and is dedicated to the nearby Ana Hachimangu Shrine.

*If there is rain, it will be cancelled.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Tokyo Cheapo

Location: 3 Chome-5 Okubo, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 169-0072, Toyama Park

Dates: Second Monday in October

Website: N/A

How to get there: A 9 minute walk from Takadanobaba Station on the JR Line.

 

A traditional and classic Japanese festival, this events main attraction features a parade a long the Chuo Dori in Nihonbashi and Kyobashi. Nihonbashi used to be the “mile zero” marker from which all distances were measured from Tokyo, so it only makes sense that this festival includes snippets from regions throughout Japan. The festival also features over 60 food stalls/festival games and a market where you can buy delicacies not usually available in Tokyo.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Central Tokyo Tourism

Location: Chuo Dori, Nihonbashi

Dates: Late October

Website: N/A

How to get there: Get off at Nihonbashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Asakusa Lines. Chuo Dori will be the main street when exiting the station.

 

The annual Tokyo Motor Show is held in October - November (some years November - December) at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Hall. It’s hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufactures Association. Typically you will see prototypes and concept cars rather than actual production cars which is why it’s considered as one of the five big motor shows of the world (Detroit, Geneva, Frankfurt and Paris). You will have the chance to sit in concept cars, drive concept vehicles and see old, antique cars. It’s an event that anyone can enjoy - not just car lovers!

Entrance fee: About 2000 Yen (depends on ticket an party number)

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Location: 3 Chome-11-1 Ariake, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0063, Tokyo Big Sight

Dates: End of October - Beginning of November

Website: https://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/en/

How to get there: A 7 minute walk from the Tokyo Big Sight Station on the Yurikamome Line.

 

The Meiji Shrine holds a biannual festival called the Spring Festival in May and the Autumn festival in November. The one in November is much bigger and more important as it celebrates the late Emperor Meiji’s birthday. It is very similar to the Spring festival where it features traditional Japanese arts such as ancient court music, traditional dances and traditional theater. One of the most popular events is the archery from horseback riding that attracts the most spectators.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Tokyo Ite Report

Location: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Meiji Shrine

Dates: November 1st - 3rd

Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Line or the Meiji-jingumae Station on the Chiyoda Line.

 

Tori No Ichi is an annual event celebrated at Shrines and Temples. It is traditionally held in November on days that are designated as the day of the rooster on the Lunar calendar. People will pray for good fortune for the upcoming year and business prosperity on these days. One of the biggest festivals is held at the Hanazono Shrine. There is a large festival/market twice in November (8th and 20th) that feature around 60 stalls selling kumade rakes. These rakes symbolize raking in good fortune and business prosperity. There will also be over 200 vendors for food and other festival related booths.

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo credit: Travel Mentor

Location: 5 Chome-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022, Hanazono Shrine

Dates: November 8th and 20th

Website: N/A

How to get there: Direct access from Shinjuku Sanchome Station Exit E2.

 

One of the most popular places to visit winter illumination lights is the Carreta Shiodome winter illumination. Caretta Shiodome is a 47 story shopping complex that consists of shopping, cafes, restaurants and cultural facilities. Every November to mid February, the shopping complex will put up over 250,000 LED lights and host a dramatic illumination show. In the past, they have put up Disney themes such as Frozen, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: JW Magazine

Location: 1 Chome-8-2 Higashishinbashi, Minato City, Tokyo 105-7090, Caretta Shiodome

Dates: Mid November - Mid February

Website: https://www.caretta.jp/foreign/index

How to get there: A 4 minute walk from Shimbashi Station on the JR Line or a 2 minute walk from Shiodome Station on the Yurikamome Line.

 

During the winter holiday season, a popular couples spot to head to for breathtaking winter illuminations is at Keyakizaka Street in Roppongi Hills. The beautifully blue LED lights shading the trees with the backdrop of the bright lit Tokyo Tower makes for the perfect Tokyo love story. A short walk away at the Roku Roku Plaza you can visit the giant Christmas Tree as well. The lights are typically up from early November to December 25th.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: JW Magazine

Location: Keyakizaka Street in Roppongi Hills

Dates: November - December 25th

Website: N/A

How to get there: A 2 minute walk from Roppongi Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.