No matter how many times you visit Tokyo, there’s always something new to do. From the latest tech showcases to celebrations of centuries of history and delectable treats, you really can’t go wrong in Tokyo. September is no exception, bringing a vibrant mix of tradition, competition, and charm to every part of the city. With numerous unique activities to choose from this month, we’ve curated a list of some of the most exciting and must-see events in Tokyo for September. Whether you’re interested in world-class sports, cultural immersion, music, or food, there’s something for every type of traveller. Let’s jump into this month’s highlights:
A stall showcasing special produce at the Handmade Marche – Photo Credit: Tokyo Handmade Marche official site
Tokyo Handmade Marche
Looking for handmade treasures, hunting for a one-of-a-kind artisanal accessory? This event may be for you. Let me introduce you to Tokyo Handmade Marche, one of Japan’s largest marketplaces for handmade goods, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of over 3,000 artists, designers, and independent makers. Held at Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall, the event brings together a vibrant community of creatives offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and ceramics to original illustrations, textiles, and more.
With thousands of visitors expected over the weekend and with a reputation for high-quality, meticulously made goods, Tokyo Handmade Marche offers a celebration of the timeless tradition of craftsmanship in the heart of Japan’s largest city. Come visit and leave with something you can’t find anywhere else.
Date: 9/6 – 9/7
Location: Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall
Website: https://tokyo.handmade-marche.jp/
Poster for this year’s China Festival – Photo Credit: China Festival official website
China Festival 2025
Celebrate the rich culture, cuisine, and traditions of China right in the center of Tokyo! China Festival is one of Tokyo’s largest international celebrations, returning to Yoyogi Park in Shibuya for a weekend in September. Organized in partnership with the Embassy of China in Japan, the two-day event offers visitors a chance to experience authentic Chinese traditions, food, and music.
Last year’s festival hosted over 140 exhibitors and welcomed over 180,000 visitors, setting the stage for an even more exciting and well-attended event this year. Whether you want to enjoy a warm xiaolongbao or a pork baozi, or listen to traditional Beijing opera, there’s something for everyone at China Festival 2025. Make sure to bring your appetite, a curious mind, and enjoy an immersive cultural journey without ever leaving Tokyo.
Date: 9/6 – 9/7
Location: Yoyogi Park
Website: https://www.chinafes.net/
Festival attendees carrying a float in the parade – Photo Credit: Tokyo Festivals
Kichijōji Fall Festival 2025
Celebrate the end of summer heat and the coming of the cool autumn breeze in the neighborhood of Kichijoji. Centered around the historic Mushashino Hachiman Shrine, this three-day event in mid-September transforms the western Tokyo neighborhood into a magical atmosphere of culture and tradition. A vibrant matsuri, filled with sound, streets lined with spectators watching a procession of mikoshi, there’s so much to see! Enjoy delicacies from street vendors and local shops while participating in the festivities. If you’re looking to experience a piece of authentic Japanese culture and cuisine, make sure the Kichijoji Fall Festival is on your itinerary this September!
Date: 9/13 – 9/15
Location: Musashino Hachiman Shrine
Website: https://musashino-kanko.com/musashino-event/kichijoji-akimatsuri2025/
Photo Credit: Fiesta Mexicana Official Website
Fiesta Mexicana 2025
Suddenly craving tacos al pastor and enchiladas while in Tokyo? If you’re visiting in September, you’re in luck, Fiesta Mexicana will be in town to satiate any churro-related desire you may have. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo Bay at Odaiba Marine Park, the lively three-day event brings the heart, and most importantly, the cuisine of Mexico to Japan. Enjoy everything from mariachi bands and traditional folk dances to modern Latin pop performances on the open-air stage. Food stalls serve up dishes like burritos, enchiladas, tacos, and churros. You can also immerse yourself in the culture with fun, family-friendly piñata games and face painting, and by purchasing traditional crafts and souvenirs. Make sure to bring your camera and dancing shoes when you visit Fiesta Mexicana this September!
Date: 9/13 – 9/15
Location: West Promenade
Website: https://www.fiestamexicana-tokyo.com/
View of one of the stadiums where various events will take place – Photo Credit: World Athletics official site
World Athletics Championships 2025
If you’re looking to add a bit of a competitive edge to your Tokyo trip this September, head to the National Stadium (and various other locations) to catch world-class athletes from over 200 countries duke it out for first places in various track and field events! The World Athletics Championships return to Japan for the first time in 18 years, making Tokyo the global platform for hundreds of athletes to participate on the biggest stage and go for gold!
The nine-day competition includes events spanning track, field, and relays and will take place in and around the iconic National Stadium, home to the 2020 Olympic Games. The events promise to be filled with high-stakes excitement and dramatic split-second finishes, pushing the limits of human performance. Whether you’re a lifelong sports fan or just live for the thrill of cheering from the stands, the World Athletics Championships 2025 is a great opportunity to see the world’s best athletes compete at the highest level in Tokyo.
Date: 9/13 – 9/21
Location: National Stadium and various locations across Tokyo
Website: https://worldathletics.org/en/competitions/world-athletics-championships/tokyo25
Crowd enjoying performance at Ultra Japan – Photo Credit: Ultra Japan
Ultra Japan
If music festivals are more your jam, Ultra Japan has your back. Bringing the beat back to Odaiba for two days of electronic energy. As a part of Ultra Music Festival’s expansions and one of Asia’s premier EDM festivals, Ultra Japan features a stacked lineup of world-renowned DJs, a massive stage production, and an electrifying atmosphere unlike any other in the city.
This year’s headlines included legends like Calvin Harris, DJ Snake, and Martin Garrix, promising a high-octane, heart-pounding weekend. From the Main Stage headliners to the more intimate underground artists at the Resistance Stage, Ultra offers something for every enjoyer of electronic music. Expect jaw-dropping light shows accompanying these upbeat vibes from afternoon to nightfall. If you have any interest in EDM or music in general, Ultra Japan is a festival you can’t miss.
Date: 9/13 – 9/14
Location: Odaiba Ultra Park
Website: https://ultrajapan.com/
Sumo wrestling arena, ready for the September Tournament – Photo Credit: Japan Travel
September Grand Sumo Tournament (Tokyo) 2025
Step into the ring of one of Japan’s oldest and revered sports this September at the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. Held in the legendary Ryogoku Kokugikan, this 15-day event offers a chance to watch sumo’s top-ranked wrestlers clash in a display of sheer strength and technique. Each day features a full lineup of matches, building up from lower-division bouts to dramatic showdowns. Beyond the matches, spectators can see history through nearby sumo-themed restaurants and the sumo museum located on the first floor of the Kokugikan.
FLASH OPPORTUNITY: Contact us for a very special VIP experience. Be one of 10 in our exclusive box seats hosted by famous sumo former champion Konishiki and join the finale afterparty to mingle with wrestlers after the final dramatic day of the September Grand Tournament. Read more about this opportunity here. Contact us to buy! Minimal availability and seats are going fast. Embark on a deep dive into Sumo culture. Send an email today to our team at concierge@arigatojapan.co.jp to claim your seat!
Date: 9/14 – 9/28
Location: Kokugikan
Website: https://www.sumo.or.jp/EnTicket/year_schedule/
Outside the Tokyo National Museum – Photo Credit: Tokyo National Museum official website
Tokyo National Museum – Free Admission Day
History lovers and art enthusiasts, September 15th is your day to go to Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park to take advantage of a free admission day, offering open access to one of Japan’s most famous and complete cultural institutions. The museum boasts over 120,000 artifacts, including samurai armor, ancient Buddhist sculptures, ukiyo-e prints, and much, much more.
You can wander through the Honkan, or Japanese Gallery, featuring masterpieces stretching back over a thousand years, from the Jomon period to the Edo period. Also included on the museum grounds are peaceful gardens, teahouses, and even a pine tree planted by Emperor Meiji himself. If you are more interested in other Asian art, you can visit the Toyokan, or Asian Gallery, to peruse through centuries of art and artifacts from China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and India. I highly recommend visiting on free admission day, no matter if you’re a student of Japanese history or just have a passing interest, because Japan’s rich artistic and cultural legacy is too interesting and unique to miss.
Date: 9/15
Location: Tokyo National Museum
Website: https://www.tnm.jp/modules/r_free_page/index.php?id=113&lang=en
Whether you’re drawn to the intensity of a sumo match, the pulse of an EDM festival, or the quiet serenity of museum treasures, Tokyo in September offers a little bit for everyone. The city comes alive with seasonal festivities, cultural celebrations, and world-class competitions in a way that only Tokyo can. With the summer heat cooling off and autumn beginning to show its colors, September is the perfect time to explore all that Tokyo has to offer!
Featured Photo Credit: Tokyo Festivals
