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.

 

The summertime usually means honoring deceased spirits in Japan - particularly the Obon Festival. One such festival that revolves around this idea is the Mitama Festival. Every year, in mid-July, thousands of people gather at the Yaskuni Shrine for Tokyo’s biggest Obon festival. The highlight of this festival are the 30,000 lanterns that light the way to the shrine every night for the span of 4 days that it holds the festival. This festival also features mikoshi (portable shrine), dancing, music and many food/drink stalls.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: SagasWhat

Location: 3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8246, Yaskuni Shrine

Dates: Mid July

Website: https://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Kudanshita Station, Exit 1 on the Tokyo Metro Tozai, Hanzomon, and Toei Shinjuku lines. A 10 minute walk on the Iidabashi or Ichigaya Station on the JR Sobu and Chuo Lines.

 

The Ueno Summer Festival is an annual event that takes place in Ueno Park and spans for 5 weeks with different events, activities and performances throughout this period. It starts in July and continues into August. In the past there has been floating lantern festivals, ice sculptures and antique markets. One of the highlights is a variety parade that features many different dance groups doing different dance styles a long a 500 meter stretch on Chuo Dori. The date for this depends on the year.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Japan All Over

Location: Ikenohata 3-8, Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Ueno Park

Dates: July-August

Website: N/A

How to get there: A 2 minute walk from Ueno Station on the JR Lines, Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya Lines.

 

This is the Rolls Royce of the fireworks festival in Tokyo. Held on the last Saturday of July, over 20,000 fireworks go off over the span of 90 minutes. This fireworks are launched from two different spots - one near Sensoji Temple and one near the SkyTree.

This festival actually dates back almost 400 years. In 1732, there was a terrible famine that wreaked havoc in Tokyo leading to the starvation and death of thousands. The following year, the Shogun held the Ryogoku Fireworks Festival to comfort the spirits of the deceased and pray that those living would not experience famine and death in the future. This is considered to be the origin of the Sumida Fireworks.

This festival attracts many spectators. The regular venue to spectate is on the river bank by Sumida River between Kototoi Bridge and Sakura Bridge. If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy the fireworks try heading to Shiori Park.

*Cancelled in 2020, dates TBA for 2021

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Matcha JP

Location: Near Sensoji Temple and Skytree. Regular spectating spot by Sumida River bank. Recommended place: 8 Chome-13-1 Minamisenju, Arakawa City, Tokyo 116-0003, Shiori Park

Dates: Last Saturday of July

Website: N/A

How to get there: Regular venue is a 15 minute walk from Asakusa Station. Shiori Park is a 15 minute walk from Minami-Senju Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Shiori Park is pinned on the map below.

 

The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival is one of the three big Shinto Festivals of Tokyo along with the Kanda and Sanno Festival. It’s hosted by the Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine and takes place around August 15th, but the schedule changes every year. This festival, unlike the Kanda and Sanno Festival is held every year, but on a small scale. The main, full scaled version of the festival is carried out every three years and is very big and wild (2017, 2020, 2023 and so on).

This festival is nicknamed the mizu-kake festival which literally means the water throwing festival. People can throw water on the mikoshi, or the portable shrine. The mikoshi is too heavy it is usually not paraded around. It’s actually the heaviest mikoshi in the region weighing about 4.5 tons and decorated with diamonds, sapphires and rubies and is rumored to be more than 1 billion yen (10 million USD). If you’re not scared of huge crowds then definitely come out for the food stalls, games, music, dancing and their main mikoshi parade on the Sunday of the week long event.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Tokyo Cheapo

Location: 1 Chome-20-3 Tomioka, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0047, Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.

Dates: Around August 15

Website: N/A

How to get there: A short walk from Monzen-Nakacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Oedo and Tozai Lines.