THIS WEEKEND
Plans for the next seven days — sorted soonest first.
OfficialOn now© Momopy~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 3.0USJ's anime-and-game mega-event marks its 10th anniversary with five blockbuster Japanese titles, including the park debut of 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' running into January 2027.
Until Mon, Jan 11, 2027 21:00 JST OsakaRequires a Studio Pass (1-day from around 8,600 yen); some Cool Japan attractions need a separate Express Pass.
OfficialOn now© Mr.henry yanayah · CC BY-SA 4.0USJ celebrates 25 years with a year-long 'Discover U!!!' festival — a new anniversary parade, classic film cars on display and special entertainment running from spring 2026 into March 2027.
Until Tue, Mar 30, 2027 21:00 JST OsakaIncluded with a Studio Pass (1-day from around 8,600 yen); no separate ticket for the anniversary entertainment.
OfficialOn now© Matryokeshi · CC BY-SA 3.0Hello Kitty's indoor theme park celebrates 35 years with ribbon-themed decor and 'The Quest of Wonders' — its first all-new main parade in a decade — running all the way through the end of 2026.
Until Thu, Dec 31, 2026 20:00 JST TokyoDay Passport at the gate: adults ¥3,900–6,900; children (3–17, incl. high-school students) and seniors (65+) ¥2,800–5,800 — the price depends on the date. The official e-Passport is ¥100 cheaper (official site, checked 25 Sep 2026).
OfficialOn now© Cabeza2000 · CC BY-SA 4.0The world's only ocean-themed Disney park turns 25 with a year-long 'Sparkling Jubilee' — a new harbor show, the 'Dance the Globe!' production and 'Jubilee Blue' decor across all eight ports.
Until Wed, Mar 31, 2027 21:00 JST TokyoRequires a Tokyo DisneySea park ticket (1-day from around 7,900 yen, price varies by date).
OfficialOn now© Choi2451 · CC BY-SA 3.0Known as 'Osaka's Kitchen,' this 580-metre covered arcade packs around 150 stalls of fresh seafood, grilled crab, sea urchin, wagyu skewers and street snacks.
Until Thu, Dec 31, 2026 18:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialOn now© Momopy~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 3.0USJ's 25th-anniversary ONE PIECE event runs July 30–Nov 19, 2026. Premier Show ¥3,000–6,000, Sanji's Pirate Restaurant ¥7,000 (lottery) — full ticket guide.
Until Thu, Nov 19, 2026 21:00 JST OsakaStudio Pass required; the Premier Show and Sanji's Pirate Restaurant need separate paid/lottery tickets.
OfficialOn now© おにく · CC BY-SA 3.0The 2026–27 season runs 17 October 2026 – 31 May 2027 (closed 6–7 Jan). Advance tickets cost ¥2,500–3,000 with a ¥1,000 voucher; 23–25 December needs a date-specific ticket (checked 2026-10-14).
Until Mon, May 31, 2027 23:59 JST Across JapanConvenience-store advance ¥2,500 (17 Oct–20 Nov, 1 Mar–31 May) / ¥3,000 (21 Nov–22 Dec, 26 Dec–28 Feb); at the gate ¥2,700 / ¥3,200 (¥2,500 from 1 Mar). Includes a ¥1,000 voucher and Begonia Garden entry. Free under elementary-school age. 23–25 Dec: date-specific ticket (same-day ¥5,500 if any remain) (checked 2026-10-14)
OfficialOn now© Miyuki Meinaka · CC BY-SA 4.0Oct 17, 2026 – Feb 14, 2027 at Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi. Lights on around 17:00 (around 16:30 from early Nov to early Jan); evening entry ¥1,500 adults, ¥800 children. 25th edition, 5 million+ lights (checked 2026-10-14).
Until Sun, Feb 14, 2027 21:00 JST TokyoEvening admission: adults ¥1,500 / children (age 4 to elementary school) ¥800 (2026-2027 season; may change with the state of the flowers) (checked 2026-10-14).
OfficialOn now© Roman SUZUKI (via Panoramio) · CC BY 3.0The 78th Shosoin Exhibition runs 24 October – 9 November 2026 at the Nara National Museum, open daily. Timed-entry tickets cost ¥2,000 for adults (¥1,500 late entry). Hours 8 am–6 pm, until 8 pm Fri–Sun and holidays (checked 2026-10-14).
Until Mon, Nov 9, 2026 18:00 JST NaraTimed-entry tickets: adult ¥2,000 / university and high-school students ¥1,500 / elementary and junior-high students ¥500 / Campus Members students ¥400. Late entry (from 4 pm Mon–Thu, 5 pm Fri–Sun and holidays): adult ¥1,500 / students ¥1,000 / elementary and junior-high free. Free for disability-certificate holders plus one caretaker and preschool children (checked 2026-10-14).
OfficialOn now© Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0Asia's premier competitive film festival returns for its 39th edition, taking over the Hibiya–Yurakucho–Ginza district with world premieres, red carpets and onstage Q&As with directors and stars.
Until Wed, Nov 4, 2026 22:00 JST TokyoIndividual screening tickets typically around 1,500-2,000 yen; some open-air and free programs.
OfficialOn now© Zengame (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.0Yomiuriland Jewellumination 2026 runs 29 October 2026 to 4 April 2027 at the Yomiuriland amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo, with lights on 16:00–20:30. Admission only is ¥1,800 for adults; the After Pass from 15:00 with unlimited rides is ¥3,100. This season's theme is "Growing Light".
Until Sun, Apr 4, 2027 09:00 JST TokyoStandard prices (tax incl.): admission only adult ¥1,800 / junior-senior high ¥1,500 / elementary & 65+ ¥1,000 / pre-school ¥1,000; After Pass (from 15:00, unlimited rides) ¥3,100 / ¥2,500 / ¥2,200 / ¥1,500; One-Day Pass ¥5,900 / ¥4,700 / ¥4,100 / ¥2,500 (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialOn now© Pekachu · CC BY-SA 4.0The Saga International Balloon Fiesta 2026 runs Friday, October 30 to Tuesday, November 3, 2026 on the Kase River banks in Saga City, and entry is free. Competition flights go up daily 7:00–9:00 a.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m. (final day mornings only), and the La Montgolfier Nocturne night glow is on November 2 and 3 from 6:30 p.m. A temporary JR station, Balloon Saga Station, opens at the venue during the fiesta (official info checked 2026-10-13).
Until Tue, Nov 3, 2026 19:00 JST FukuokaFree
OfficialOn now© Shisma · CC BY 4.0Tokyo Ramen Festa 2026 runs for five days, October 30 (Fri) to November 3 (Tue, holiday), at Komazawa Olympic Park's Central Plaza in Tokyo. Entry is free; ramen costs ¥1,100 (tax incl.) per bowl, paid by ticket.
Until Tue, Nov 3, 2026 19:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialOn now© Cobalt Fox · Public DomainTokyo German Village Winter Illumination 2026–2027 runs 31 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027, from sunset to 8 pm. Admission is ¥1,500 for adults and ¥800 for children; this year's theme is "Why USA!?".
Until Sun, Apr 4, 2027 20:00 JST Across JapanPaid. Illumination period (31 Oct 2026 – 4 Apr 2027): adults ¥1,500, children (age 4–elementary) ¥800; visitors with a disability ¥1,000 adult / ¥600 child. Parking ¥1,500 per car until 31 Dec 2026, ¥1,000 from 1 Jan 2027. Official fee table, checked 2026-10-13.
OfficialOn now© Dariusz Jemielniak · CC BY-SA 3.0Onomichi's Betcha Matsuri 2026 runs November 1–3. The demon parade is on November 3 (a national holiday): it leaves the Otabisho (the mikoshi's resting place) in the morning and returns to Ichinomiya (Kibitsuhiko) Shrine around 18:30 (checked 2026-10-13). Free to watch.
Until Tue, Nov 3, 2026 09:00 JST HiroshimaFree
OfficialOn now© Shubert Ciencia · CC BY 2.0The 71st Korankei Momiji Festival runs November 1–30, 2026 in Asuke, Toyota City. The maples are lit up nightly from sunset to 9 p.m.; walking is free, parking is paid. Checked 2026-10-13.
Until Mon, Nov 30, 2026 21:00 JST NagoyaFree
OfficialOn now© Joi (Joi Ito) · CC BY 2.0Kyoto's only autumn geisha dance, staged by the geiko and maiko of the Gion Higashi district. Ten days of elegant kyomai dance under lanterns, accompanied by live shamisen and song — a refined seasonal highlight of Kyoto.
Until Tue, Nov 10, 2026 17:00 JST Kyoto¥6,000 (viewing only); ¥7,000 with a tea ceremony. Two shows daily at 13:30 and 16:00.
OfficialOn now© Sanjo · CC BY-SA 4.0Kagoshima's 75th Ohara Matsuri runs Nov 2, 2026 (Mon) from 18:50 (night festival) and Nov 3 (Tue, national holiday) 10:20–15:25 (main festival) on a 1,480 m stretch of the Tenmonkan tram street. It is the original festival — not the May event in Tokyo's Shibuya.
Until Tue, Nov 3, 2026 15:25 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialOn now© Pekachu · CC BY-SA 4.0Karatsu Kunchi 2026 runs Mon 2 – Wed 4 November. The highlight is the Nov 3 Otabisho Shinko, when 14 floats are hauled onto the sand at Nishinohama. Free to watch; two floats turn 180 this year.
Until Wed, Nov 4, 2026 17:00 JST Across JapanFree
OfficialThis weekend© 武田信徳 · CC BY 4.0The Iruma Air Show 2026 is on Tuesday, November 3, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. (gates 8 a.m.) at JASDF Iruma Air Base in Sayama, Saitama, and entry is free. The Blue Impulse time is not announced yet (about 11 a.m. in 2025). Last year there was no visitor parking. Checked 2026-10-14.
Tue, Nov 3, 2026 08:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialThis weekend© Type specimen · CC BY-SA 3.0Midosuji Illumination 2026 runs Tuesday 3 November to Thursday 31 December, lit every night from about 17:00 to 25:00 (1am) along 4 km of Midosuji from Umeda to Namba. No ticket needed; the lighting ceremony is on 23 November.
Tue, Nov 3, 2026 17:00 JST OsakaFree
OfficialThis weekend© Dick Thomas Johnson · CC BY 2.0In 2026, Roppongi Keyakizaka is lit 5 Nov–25 Dec, 17:00–22:00, and Marunouchi Naka-dori 12 Nov 2026–14 Feb 2027. Both are lit 12 Nov–25 Dec.
Thu, Nov 5, 2026 17:00 JST TokyoFree
OfficialThis weekend© Jorge Láscar from Australia · CC BY 2.0Huis Ten Bosch's 2026 winter illumination, The Starlight Million, runs 6 Nov 2026 – 25 Feb 2027 — renewed for the first time in 16 years. A park ticket is required (checked 2026-10-13).
Fri, Nov 6, 2026 09:00 JST Across JapanPark ticket required (1 DAY Passport, After 3 Passport, etc.). Price varies by date — see the official ticket page
OfficialThis weekend© Mozzucu · CC0 1.0Hanazono Shrine's Tori-no-Ichi 2026 in Shinjuku is on Sat, Nov 7 and Thu, Nov 19, with eve stalls on Nov 6 and 18. Main days run about noon to midnight, eves from about 15:00, next to Shinjuku-sanchome Station (official notice, checked 2026-10-14).
Fri, Nov 6, 2026 15:00 JST Tokyo
OfficialThis weekend© Yoshiyuki Ito · CC BY-SA 3.0At Tokyo's National Noh Theatre, watch the 650-year-old art of noh and its comic counterpart kyogen, including a piece performed by celebrated kyogen master Nomura Mansai. English subtitles appear on screens built into the seatbacks.
Fri, Nov 6, 2026 18:30 JST TokyoFront-stage ¥5,800 / Side-stage ¥4,000 (students ¥2,800) / Middle-stage ¥3,500 (students ¥2,500).
OfficialThis weekend© Qiuqizhenghong · CC BY-SA 3.0The Yaeyama Islands' biggest festival fills central Ishigaki with a citizens' parade, island music and a closing fireworks display over the harbour town.
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 OkinawaFree
OfficialThis weekend© Fuchu · CC BY-SA 4.0Asakusa's Tori-no-Ichi 2026 is on Saturday, November 7 and Thursday, November 19 — no third rooster day. Otori Shrine and Chokokuji in Senzoku, 0:00–24:00 each day, 7 minutes from Iriya Station (official sites, checked 2026-10-13).
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 TokyoFree
OfficialThis weekend© TR15336300101 · CC BY-SA 4.0Nara's 2026 deer antler-cutting ceremony is held on November 7 (Sat) and 8 (Sun) at the Roen arena within Kasuga Taisha, 11:45-15:00 (doors 11:15, last entry 14:30). Same-day tickets only: adults ¥1,000, children ¥500.
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 11:45 JST NaraSame-day tickets only: adults (junior high and up) ¥1,000, children (elementary) ¥500
OfficialThis weekend© PIRELLI from Tokyo, Japan (Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY 2.1 JPThe 95th Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition is on Saturday 7 November 2026, 17:30–20:00 (scheduled), on the Sakuragawa riverbank near Gakuen Bridge, with about 20,000 shells. Bad-weather date: 14 November. All organiser seating is paid; there are no free seats.
Sat, Nov 7, 2026 17:30 JST Across JapanAll organiser seating is paid (no free seats). Sajiki box full ¥26,000 (5 people), half ¥13,000 (2), sajiki chair seat ¥12,000, sajiki table seat ¥80,000 (4); chair seats A ¥6,000 / B ¥5,000 / C ¥4,000 (tax incl., plus a ¥990 delivery charge). The lottery and the resale lottery have both closed (checked 2026-10-13).
OfficialThis weekend© そらみみ (Soramimi) · CC BY-SA 4.0Fukuoka Marathon 2026 is on Sunday 8 November: the marathon starts at 8:20 in Tenjin and finishes in Itoshima, closing at 15:20. Roads close 6:00–16:35 (planned) and bib pickup is 6–7 November only. Entry has closed.
Sun, Nov 8, 2026 08:20 JST FukuokaEntry fees (entry closed): marathon ¥16,000 (Japan entry) / ¥30,000 (overseas entry); fun run ¥4,100 (high school and older) / ¥2,200 (junior high); wheelchair race ¥3,300 / ¥2,200. Watching from the roadside is free. Paid shuttle to Tenjin/Hakata: ¥1,900 until 31 Oct, ¥2,000 from 2 to 7 Nov.
OfficialThis weekend© davidgsteadman · Public domainThe year's final grand sumo tournament fills Fukuoka Kokusai Center for 15 days of ring-entering ceremonies, salt-throwing and thunderous bouts of giants.
Sun, Nov 8, 2026 08:30 JST FukuokaFrom ~¥3,800 (arena seats) to box seats