Tokyo in November 2024: Highlights, Events & Festivals
In November, Tokyo's climate is quite cool due to autumn weather. It's colder than October, and you'll see more people wearing coats and jackets on the streets.
Autumn is also the season for fall foliage, when maple (momiji) and ginkgo leaves shine in vibrant colors, captivating many visitors.
Tokyo has developed as a center of politics, economy, and culture thanks to its extensive transportation network. As a result, there are many opportunities to experience art and culture, with various events held throughout Tokyo.
In November, Tokyo will host various events including traditional festivals, art events, and food festivals. This article will introduce the highlights, basic information, schedules, and access to event venues.
Table of Contents
-Traditional Events in Tokyo - November 2024
-Special November-only Experiences in Tokyo
-Art Events in Tokyo - November 2024
-Gourmet Events in Tokyo - November 2024
-Fall Foliage in Tokyo - November 2024
-Top 4 Fall Foliage Spots in Tokyo
Traditional Events in Tokyo - November 2024
Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi Festival
Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi is a festival held every November. In Japan, there's a tradition of calling dates by animal names, and "tori" (rooster) represents November.
The "tori" days occur every 12 days in November, so the number of festival days varies each year. In 2024, the festival will be held on November 5, 17, and 29.
Tori-no-Ichi is a historical festival that began in the Edo period, originally selling farming tools to pray for good rice harvests.
Today, it has become established as an autumn festival to pray for business prosperity. The Tori-no-Ichi at Chokoku-ji Temple and Otori Shrine in Asakusa is one of Tokyo's biggest festivals, attracting 700,000-800,000 visitors annually.
The main highlight of this festival is the colorful kumade (decorative bamboo rakes). These eye-catching rakes symbolize raking in good fortune and business prosperity. The shrine grounds are decorated with numerous colorful kumade, making for an enjoyable sight.
If you want to receive some good luck, make sure to visit the Tori-no-Ichi festival.
Information:
- Dates: November 5 (Tue), November 17 (Sun), November 29 (Fri), 2024
- Access: 9-minute walk from Minowa Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://torinoichi.jp/
Fire-Walking Ritual (Akiba Shrine)
Source: TAITO Odekake Navi
The Fire-Walking Ritual is a famous festival held every autumn at Akiba Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo, known for people running across burning charcoal. Akiba Shrine enshrines Akiba Daigongen, known as the god of fire, and participants walk barefoot across glowing charcoal to pray for good health and fire prevention.
After receiving prayers in the shrine's worship hall, participants walk across the burning charcoal one after another. The sight of people walking barefoot across charcoal may seem frightening to first-time viewers. However, the fire-walking ritual is carefully conducted with safety in mind and is held nationwide as a festival to pray for good health.
If you want to see a unique festival while in Japan, make sure to visit Akiba Shrine.
Information:
- Date: November 6, 2024
- Access: 5-minute walk from Iriya Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
- Admission: Free
Special November-only Experiences in Tokyo
Design Festa
Source: PR TIMES
Design Festa is an art event held every November at Tokyo Big Sight where anyone can freely participate without screening, regardless of professional or amateur status, as long as they present original works. At the venue, you can experience and appreciate numerous art pieces regardless of age, nationality, or genre.
Design Festa is a major event at Tokyo Big Sight, with about 10,000 artists participating annually and approximately 6,500 booths set up. Unique art pieces that break the mold line the venue, strongly stimulating visitors' sensibilities.
With opportunities for interaction with artists, world cuisine, and shops selling unique accessories, it's an event you can enjoy all day long.
Information:
- Dates: November 16-17, 2024
- Access: 7-minute walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on Rinkai Line, or 3-minute walk from Tokyo Big Sight Station on Yurikamome Line
- Admission: One-day ticket ¥1,000 (advance ticket ¥800), Two-day ticket ¥1,500 (advance only)
- Website: https://designfesta.com/
Amusement Expo
Source: PR TIMES
Amusement Expo is an arcade game festival held at Tokyo Big Sight in November. Arcade games refer to game machines found in game centers, and visitors can enjoy the latest game machines for free at the venue.
Various other events are also held, including music events featuring popular voice actors who play characters in games, and events where you can enjoy crane games for free.
In 2024, 51 companies are scheduled to exhibit, and the event has been expanded to two days. Tickets are sold exclusively in advance, and you need to purchase them at Lawson convenience stores before visiting. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance if you're interested.
Information:
- Dates: November 15-16, 2024
- Access: 7-minute walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on Rinkai Line / 3-minute walk from Tokyo Big Sight Station on Yurikamome Line
- Admission: Early ticket (entry from 9:00) ¥3,000, Standard ticket (entry from 10:00) ¥2,000, Late ticket (entry from 13:00) ¥1,000
- Website: https://amusementexpo.jp/
Pokémon × Crafts Exhibition - Discovery of Beauty and Technique
Source: Internet Museum
For those interested in Pokémon, now known as an iconic symbol of Japan, the Pokémon × Crafts Exhibition - Discovery of Beauty and Technique is a recommended event. For this exhibition, various craft artists have created unique pieces by fusing their craft works with Pokémon.
While maintaining the shapes and forms of Pokémon, these impressive monsters filled with the artists' individuality will surely make you lose track of time as you become absorbed in viewing them. The craft exhibition is touring nationwide, and in Tokyo, it will be held at the Azabudai Hills Gallery in Minato Ward in November.
Please enjoy the unique and beautiful Pokémon that brilliantly fuse beauty and technique.
Information:
- Period: First term - November 1, 2024 to February 2, 2025
- Access: Directly connected to Kamiyacho Station on Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
- Admission: General ¥1,800 / College & Vocational students ¥1,600 / High school & Junior high school students ¥1,300 / Children (4 years old - Elementary school) ¥600
- Website: https://kogei.pokemon.co.jp/
Art Events in Tokyo - November 2024
"Birds - Revealing New Bird Phylogeny through Genome Analysis" at the National Museum of Nature and Science
Source: FASHION PRESS
The National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno will host a special exhibition "Birds - Revealing New Bird Phylogeny through Genome Analysis" from November 2, 2024, to February 24, 2025. This is the museum's first exhibition themed around birds, featuring approximately 600 bird specimens.
The exhibition explains the diverse evolution of birds alongside specimens in an easy-to-understand manner, allowing visitors to learn about various aspects of birds, such as the differences between birds in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. A highlight is the life-size reconstruction model of the "Pelagornis sandersi," which lived about 26 million years ago and had a 7-meter wingspan - this will be its first exhibition in Japan.
With many fascinating bird specimens on display, this is a must-see for those interested in birds, animals, and natural history.
Information:
- Period: November 2, 2024 - February 24, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station Park Exit
- Admission: General & University students ¥2,100, Junior high & High school students ¥600
- Website: https://toriten.exhn.jp/
Gourmet Events in Tokyo - November 2024
Setagaya Pan (Bread) Festival
Source: FASHION PRESS
The Setagaya Pan Festival, known as an annual bread celebration, will be held from November 2-3 at Setagaya Park in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward. Known as an event that attracts bread lovers from all over the country, it welcomed 50,000 visitors and featured 250 shops in 2023.
The venue is filled with the delicious aroma of bread, and you can taste a wide variety of breads. Special limited-edition breads are also sold at the event, making it irresistible for bread enthusiasts.
The venue includes a "Pan-nomi" (bread and drink) area where you can enjoy bread paired with alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and sake. If you want to indulge in delicious bread to your heart's content, be sure to visit!
Information:
- Dates: November 2-3, 2024
- Access: 18-minute walk from Ikejiri-Ohashi Station or Sangenjaya Station on Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://setagaya-panmatsuri.com/
SAKANA & JAPAN FESTIVAL 2024 in Odaiba
Source: Odaiba.net
SAKANA & JAPAN FESTIVAL 2024 in Odaiba is Japan's largest seafood gourmet event, aimed at promoting fish consumption, known for its rich nutritional value. Previously held at Hibiya Park and Yoyogi Park, the event will be held with a fresh look in Odaiba starting from 2024.
At the venue, you can find seafood bowls using seasonal fish and local dishes from various parts of Japan that use fish. This is a recommended event for those who want to eat their fill of delicious Japanese seafood.
Fish cuisine is an important part of Japanese food culture and is gaining popularity overseas as healthy cuisine. If you want to taste the appealing Japanese fish dishes, make sure to visit.
Information:
- Dates: November 1-4, 2024
- Access: 5-minute walk from Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station on Yurikamome Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://37sakana.jp/sjfesodaiba/
Sheep Festa 2024 in Nakano Antenna Street
Source: Nakano Keizai Shinbun
Sheep Festa 2024 in Nakano Antenna Street is held every November at Nakano Central Park in Tokyo's Nakano Ward, with the aim of promoting the appeal of lamb meat. This event started with the purpose of spreading information about the appeal of lamb meat and establishing it as a regular part of Japanese cuisine.
It's not just an event to taste lamb; trading companies and organizations from various countries that deal with lamb meat also gather to share information about its appeal. At the venue, you can enjoy lamb dishes from around the world, making it irresistible for lamb meat lovers.
Various alcoholic beverages are also sold at the event, so you can enjoy delicious lamb dishes and drinks in the natural surroundings of the park.
Information:
- Dates: November 6-7, 2024
- Access: 5-minute walk from North Exit of JR and Tokyo Metro Nakano Station
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://hitsujifesta.com/
Fall Foliage in Tokyo - November 2024
In November, you can enjoy scenery colored by fall foliage throughout Tokyo. The leaves begin to change color from the end of October and reach their peak in mid-November.
Recommended fall foliage spots in Tokyo include large parks in the city such as Ueno Park, Yoyogi Park, and Meiji Jingu Gaien. The foliage turns beautifully into yellow and red colors, creating breathtaking scenery.
The beautiful autumn leaves and falling leaves dancing in the wind are so artistic that you shouldn't miss them when visiting Tokyo in autumn.
Top 4 Fall Foliage Spots in Tokyo
1. Ginkgo Avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien
Source: Go Tokyo
The Ginkgo Avenue at Meiji Jingu Gaien is one of Tokyo's representative fall foliage spots, featuring giant ginkgo trees lining an approximately 300m avenue. The sight of 146 ginkgo trees lined up on both sides is beautiful, and during the fall foliage season, it's filled with stunning golden ginkgo leaves.
In autumn, fallen leaves from the ginkgo trees cover the entire path, creating a fantastical atmosphere like a yellow carpet. At the end of the avenue stands the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, a dome-shaped building, and the contrast with the beautiful ginkgo trees is spectacular.
Information:
- Best viewing: Mid-November to early December
- Access: About 6-minute walk from Aoyama-Itchome Station on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, or Toei Oedo Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: http://www.meijijingugaien.jp/
2. Hibiya Park
Source: WALKER PLUS
Hibiya Park, opened in 1903, is a metropolitan park known for its ginkgo and maple trees that shine in beautiful colors during autumn. The park has many autumn foliage trees, and it's particularly famous for the fall colors reflected in the Kumogata Pond and the ginkgo trees along the S-shaped garden path.
Every year during the fall foliage season, Hibiya Park holds nighttime illuminations centered around Kumogata Pond. The autumn colors shine so beautifully that it's hard to believe you're in the middle of the city, so be sure to visit when you're in Tokyo.
Information:
- Best viewing: Late November to early December
- Access: Right outside Kasumigaseki Station on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line and Chiyoda Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/hibiya/index.html
3. Ueno Onshi Park
Source: tenki.jp
Ueno Onshi Park is one of Tokyo's premier fall foliage spots where colorful autumn leaves bloom in abundance. The park has many trees that turn beautiful colors, including ginkgo, maple, and zelkova, allowing visitors to easily enjoy fall foliage viewing.
Within the park, there are many structures such as a five-story pagoda and Ueno Toshogu Shrine that create beautiful combinations with the autumn leaves, making for great photo opportunities and social media posts. There's also a large pond called Shinobazu Pond where you can view the fall foliage while riding swan boats.
With so many fall foliage highlights in Ueno Onshi Park, take your time to stroll through the park and enjoy the autumn colors.
Information:
- Best viewing: Late November to early December
- Access: About 2-minute walk from Ueno Station on JR lines and Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya Lines
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jimusho/toubuk/ueno/index_top.html
4. Shinjuku Gyoen
Source: Official website
Shinjuku Gyoen in Shinjuku is famous as a park where visitors can explore modern Western-style gardens representative of the Meiji era. Many autumn foliage trees grow in the garden, and in fall, numerous trees including maple, ginkgo, and plane trees display their colors.
Shinjuku Gyoen is located in the heart of the city, and the combination of high-rise buildings and fall foliage is beautiful. It's recommended for a stroll on sunny days. Every year during the fall foliage season, illumination events are held, beautifully lighting up the 200-meter-long plane tree avenue and autumn leaves.
Note that there is an admission fee of 500 yen to enter Shinjuku Gyoen, so keep this in mind when visiting.
Information:
- Best viewing: Late November to early December
- Access: 2-minute walk from Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
- Admission: Adults ¥500
- Website: https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/