Tokyo Events October 2024: 5 Not to Miss

The spookiest month of the year is upon us, and that means the start of blood-pumping, heart-pounding, nail-curling events in Tokyo. But you’ll be relieved — or disappointed — to know that not all have a Halloween theme; there are also ancient Edo festivals, dance contests, and even fireworks to enjoy.

For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide — organized by month.

1. The mando ceremony at Oeshiki Festival

October 12

Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Ota

Go Karting with Cosplay through Asakusa & Akihabara (See Skytree)

Don your favourite video game or superhero outfit and drive go-karts through Asakusa and Akihabara — passing Tokyo Skytree! International driving license required.

Click here for details

The highlight of the Oeshiki Festival — a Buddhist festival commemorating the anniversary of the death of Nichiren — is the mando (10,000 light) rite in which about 3,000 people carry sacred lanterns, decorated with cherry blossoms, along a route towards Ikegami Honmonji Temple. The spectacular procession will start from around 6:30 p.m. and go on till midnight around the temple and Ikegami Station.

Oeshiki Festival at Ikegami Honmonji Temple

Dates:11th Oct–13th Oct, 2024

Entry:Free

Venue:

Ikegami Honmonji

2. Kawagoe Festival

Kawagoe

Kawagoe is affectionately nicknamed “Little Edo” because some of its streets still resemble those of the Edo period. The festival features large, towering, elaborate floats that are paraded around Kurazukuri Street. Stick around into the evening as that’s when things become even rowdier — with traditional music performances, dancing, and paper lanterns. And of course, for a truly colorful sight, the floats will be lit up.

Kawagoe Festival

Dates:

Mid

Oct

Entry:Free

Venue:

Kawagoe Station

3. Tamagawa Fireworks Festival

Futako Tamagawa Station

As one — if not the biggest — fireworks event of the autumn, the Tamagawa Fireworks Festival has a reputation to uphold. 6,000 bolts will be shot into the air on the riverbed beside Futako Tamagawa Station. It will be extremely busy (this is a popular area for families), so organizers recommend allowing for at least an hour to get to your spot before the fireworks.

Tamagawa Fireworks Festival 2024

Dates:5th Oct, 2024

Entry:Free

Venue:

Futakotamagawa Station

4. Ikebukuro Yosakoi Contest

Ikebukuro

The first half of Ikebukuro’s Fukuro Matsuri took place in September, but the second half is raring to go ahead — so be sure not to miss it.

Also known as the Tokyo Yosakoi Contest, this festival is devoted to yosakoi, an energetic traditional dance characterized by the use of clappers called naruko. Although the dance has traditional origins, it’s common nowadays to fuse the basic elements of yosakoi with modern music and/or dance moves. Since this event is a contest, you’ll see many different teams do their best to perform their takes on yosakoi.

Fukuro Festival (Yosakoi)

Dates:

Early

Oct

Entry:Free

Venue:

Ikebukuro Station

5. Halloween

Throughout October

All over Tokyo

Bake Neko Festival. | Photo by David Ishikawa

Halloween is October’s biggest event in Tokyo and celebrations have taken off in recent years. There are events all over: Kagurazaka, Roppongi, Omotesando, Ikebukuro, Kawasaki, and other parts of the city. The events come in different levels of family-friendliness, ranging from “perfect for small children” to “maybe it’s not such a good idea to bring kids here”.

Challenge Sumo Wrestlers and Enjoy Lunch

Eat, train, and fight like a real Japanese sumo wrestler during this sumo demonstration and authentic 'Chanko Nabe' (hotpot) meal.

Click here for details

Four Halloween events to add to the diary are:

Check out our Tokyo Halloween 2023 guide for a full rundown of events.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.

Area(s)

Ikebukuro

Kagurazaka

Kawagoe

Kawasaki

Komazawa