Best Autumn Festivals in Tokyo!

Tokyo has an image of a modern place with all the trends of Japan, but you can also find old festivals here, that have been held for a long time. Here, we'll introduce you to some of the autumn festivals held in Tokyo.

"Denenchofu Hachiman Shrine" Reitai Festival

The "Denenchofu Hachiman Shrine Festival" is a community-wide event held in Denenchofu, known as a high-class residential area. On the first day - you can see prepared portable shrines, karaoke contests, and traditional dances. The second day of the festival is the time of the parade in Edo-mae style. Lots of food stalls are lined up around the shrine grounds, and you can enjoy the festival in a homey atmosphere.

Schedule Date: The first Saturday and Sunday of September every year (September 1 to 2 in 2018)

Venue: Denenchofu Hachiman Shrine

Access: 15-minute walk from Denenchofu Station on the Tokyu Toyoko and Meguro Lines

Shinagawa Shukuba Festival

The Shinagawa Shukuba Festival is held in Shinagawa-juku, the first post town on the Fifty-three Stages of the Tokaido Highway counting from Nihonbashi, and stretches about 2 km from Yatsuyama in Kita Shinagawa area to Aomono-Yokocho in Minami Shinagawa area. In addition to the Oiran Road Procession and the Traffic Safety Parade, you can enjoy other events such as making old-style toys, catching vegetables, walking through the fire ritual in Shinagawa Temple, Street Rakugo (comic storytelling), various product markets from all over Japan.

Date: The last Saturday and Sunday of September every year (September 29 - 30 in 2018)

Venue: Shinagawa-juku Communication Center

Access: Kitashinagawa Station, Shimbamba Station, Aomono-yokocho Station on the Keihin Kyuko Line

Okunitama Shrine Autumn Festival: Kuri Matsuri

On the day of the festival, about 260 lanterns are lit in the precincts of the shrine, creating a fantastic scene for the Kuri Matsuri, the autumn festival of Okunitama Shrine.

The festival has been held since 1738 (with pause periods). The reason why the festival is called "Kuri Matsuri" is that the area was suitable for growing chestnuts and they were important as preserved food, so the chestnuts were offered to the Tokugawa family.

Schedule Date: September 27th and 28th every year
※27th is the evening festival and 28th is the main festival

Venue: Okunitama Shrine

Access: 5 minutes walk from Fuchu Station on Keio Line
5 minutes walk from Fuchu Honmachi Station on JR Nambu and Musashino Lines

Mukojima Hyakkaen "Tsukimi no Kai"

Tsukimi-no-kai, a traditional event that has been held since the Edo period (1603-1868), is an event to enjoy the atmosphere of the moon while watching it on an autumn night. During this event, the opening hours are extended until 21:00, and visitors can enjoy the fantastic night view of the garden illuminated by paper lanterns and bonbori. There will also be an offering ceremony, a tea ceremony, and a koto (musical instrument) performance.

Date: September 23 (Sun) - September 25 (Tue), 2018

Venue: Mukojima Hyakkaen

Access: 8-minute walk from Higashi Mukojima Station on the Tobu Skytree Line
13-minute walk from Keisei Hikifune Station on the Keisei Electric Railway Oshiage Line

Koto Ward Citizens' Festival: Central Festival

Koto Kumin Matsuri Chuo Festival (Central Festival) is held every year in October at Kiba Park. Here you can enjoy the opening parade, character shows and marching bands, bazaars, flea markets, singing shows, and sports competitions. Here you can also try local gourmet foods and local specialties from all over the country. The event is open to people of all ages, from children to adults.

Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018 - Sunday, October 21, 2018

Venue: Metropolitan Kiba Park

Access: 5-minute walk from Kiba Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line

Chrysanthemum Festival at Yushima Tenjin

The Chrysanthemum Festival is held every year from November 1 to 23 in the precincts of Yushima Tenjin Shrine, known as the place of the god of learning. Approximately 2,000 chrysanthemums made by enthusiasts will be displayed. You can enjoy chrysanthemum doll costumes, which are rare in Tokyo, Kengai - cliffs-shaped hanging down flower compositions, Senrinzaki - a composition of a flower made of lots of chrysanthemums, and other interesting exhibitions.

Date: November 1st - November 23rd every year

Venue: Yushima Tenjin Shrine

Access: 2-minute walk from "Yushima Station" on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
A 5-minute walk from "Ueno Hirokoji Station" on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
A 10-minute walk from "Hongo Sanchome Station" on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
8 minutes on foot from "Okachimachi Station" on the JR Yamanote Line and Keihin Tohoku Line
8 minutes on foot from "Ueno Okachimachi Station" on the Toei Subway Oedo Line

As mentioned above, there are a wide variety of festivals in Tokyo, some of which are opportunities for local residents to interact with each other, and some of which emphasize traditional rituals. Each one has its own unique characteristics, so why not try participating in a variety of them?

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