The Beginning of Autumn is here, and that means it’s time for spooky season and disguises! Summer is over, and you think it is time to rest? Far from it, so let us show you the best things to do this October in Tokyo! From colorful festivals to food-related events, this fall month isn’t lacking in wonders, and you will want to get a taste of all of them! Proceed smoothly into the falling leaf season with the following list: 8 events to fully dive into Tokyo’s October vibes.
Cosmos flower at Show Kinen Park in Tachikawa – Credit: Guilhem Vellut
Cosmos Flower Festival
Enjoy Autumn flowers from the middle of September to the end of October in the Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa. This year especially, the park will be colored in yellow, welcoming for the first time Kokia flowers in the Herb Hill area, which change color through the season as they bloom. If photographing flowers is one of your many hobbies, this event is a must-attend. Aim for the 4 days where bubbles will be spread at certain spots in the park to take the perfect flower shots: October 4 (Nishi Flower Field) and October 10 (Herb Hill). Entry to the park usually costs 450¥ for adults, but on October 5 and October 19, entry will be free for everyone! Get to know more about the festival here.
Date and time: September 6 to October 26, 2025, from 9:30 – 17:00
Location: Showa Kinen Park, Tachikawa City
Park’s website: https://www.showakinen-koen.jp
Tamagawa Fireworks Festival in 2024 – Credit: Dick Thomas Johnson
Tamagawa Fireworks Festival
Summer is far behind now, but who said it was too late for fireworks? If you go near the Tama River in Setagaya on the 4th of October from 18:00 to 19:00, you will see a night sky full of colors, synchronized with music! In an hour, 6000 fireworks will fill up the sky, for Setagaya’s biggest fireworks festival, a perfect event to end Summer and definitely enter into Autumn season. The event actually starts earlier, from 3:00 p.m., with shows and food stalls. It is recommended to go early to secure a nice viewing spot, and don’t forget chairs and a blanket! There are also some areas with paid seating options; check here for more information about them.
Date and time: October 4, 2025, from 15:00 – 19:30
Location: Futako-Tamagawa, Setagaya city
Festival’s website: https://tamagawa-hanabi.com/
Stand at the Vegan Gourmet Festival 2024 – Credits: Vegan Gourmet Festival’s official Facebook page
Vegan Gourmet Festival
For vegans and vegetable food lovers, Japan is gradually getting more inclusive in its food culture! At the Vegan Gourmet Festival on the 5th of October, you will likely find only plant-based dishes. It is a festival held twice a year, in Spring and Autumn seasons, in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kyoto at different dates, hosted by Japan Plant-based Market Association, and is said to be the largest gourmet festival for vegans. However, non-vegans are very welcome at the festival to learn the benefits of having a vegan lifestyle, for your body, as well as for the environment. In addition, all ingredients of every dish you will find there are listed, to ensure complete transparency to all visitors. Vegans and non-vegans, enjoy this festival and learn about how to be sustainable through your food consumption! The entrance is free, so why not have a try? Get to know more about the festival here, and follow the official Instagram page to stay tuned.
Date and time: October 5, 2025, from 10:30 – 16:00
Location: Kiba Park Event Plaza, Koto city
Festival’s website: https://vegefes.com
Oeshiki Festival – Credit: 8#X
Oeshiki Festival
The 12th of October marks the death of an important figure in Japan, Nichiren, a famous Buddhist teacher of the 13th century. For three days in October each year, a festival is held to honour this character who shaped Japan’s cultural and religious history. Although it is celebrated all around the country, it is in Tokyo that it will be the most interesting to attend, as the event takes place exactly where Nichiren died hundreds of years ago in 1282. Among many activities and food stands, celebrate the anniversary with locals and learn about the Edo period’s Buddhist traditions and atmosphere. The mando rite held on the 12th is one of the most famous events of the festival, with 3000 people carrying sacred lanterns from the station to the temple, an unmissable parade! This day, especially, it will be taking place from 18:30 to 00:00. The event entrance is totally free, and will also be streamed online here for people who cannot attend it on-site.
Date and time: October 11 to 13, 2025, from 18:00 – 23:00
Location: Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Ota city
Temple’s website: https://honmonji.jp/index.html
Using touch to experience art at the Hands on Art Project – CWAJ Official Website
CWAJ Print Show
October 2025 will welcome again for the 68th edition the annual Print Show held by the College Women’s Association of Japan (CWAJ) since 1956. Discover many techniques and styles of contemporary prints, and this year, a special exhibition of prints inspired by Mount Fuji will be included in the event. It will take place for 5 days from 11:00 to 18:00–17:00 on the last day, October 19. A program especially aimed at visually impaired people, the “Hands-on Art Program” will also be available again this year, among other free guided tours. You can purchase prints during the event or later from the online gallery that will open from October 21 to October 26. All funds will go to the association’s pandemic nursing scholarship. Check the official website for more information.
Date and time: October 15 to 19, 2025, from 11:00 – 18:00
Location: Daikanyama Hillside Forum, Shibuya City
Event’s website: https://cwaj.org/print/find-us-at-print-show/
Tokyo Night Market Banner Logo – Credit: Tokyo Night Market Official Website
Tokyo Night Market
50 stands blending traditional Japanese food and international dishes, but also crafts and creations, multicultural music, live performances, exhibitions, vintage clothing stalls, and much, much more. This October’s Tokyo Night Market promises to be the most entertaining! As a crossing between Asian and global culture, this event is the best time for intercultural exchanges and to connect with new people. It is also your moment to show your talent at open mic performances! Jump on the opportunity to surprise everyone and to get your name remembered. The event will be held for a week from 16:00 on the first three days, and from 14:00 on the 25th and the 26th. Celebrate culturally unique features and blend to make this year’s Night Market unforgettable!
Date and time: October 22 to 26, 2025, from 16:00 – 22:00
Location: Yoyogi Park Zelkova Trees, Shibuya City
Event’s website: https://tokyo-night-market.com
People dressed up at the 2016 Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fes. – Credit: KNDY です
October is the spooky season, so you cannot avoid a nice Halloween event, and this year again, Tokyo will dress up for the occasion! Sunshine City will host for the 11th time the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival – or IKEHALO – known as Japan’s largest Halloween festivities, welcoming more than 160.000 visitors each year. Whether you are an anime fan or you just like cosplaying and playing a role, this festival is a must! From outside the event venue, you can see cosplayers for free, but if you want to enter the area, cosplay (dressing rooms are provided), participate in parades and contests, or take pictures, the fee goes from 2,800¥ to 3,800¥. The festival in itself will be taking place for everyone on October 25th and 26th from 10:00 to 18:00 both days. And if you want to take nighttime pictures of your cosplay, join IKEHALO NIGHT the day before from 16:30 to 22:30! This event only allows those 18 years old and older to attend.
Date and time: October 24 to 26, 2025, from 10:00 – 18:00
Location: Ikebukuro Sunshine City, Toshima City
Festival’s website: https://ikebukurocosplay.jp/
Tokyo Ramen Show – Credits: moshi moshi 日本
Tokyo Ramen Festa
For the beginning of colder seasons, there’s nothing better than to treat yourself to a warm and comfy bowl of ramen, and what better occasion than Tokyo’s largest ramen festival! This year again, Tokyo Ramen Festa will take place for 12 days from October 23rd, and will welcome many varieties of ramen from Japanese regions, an opportunity to travel through cuisine without moving from Kanto! With a total of 36 vendors, alternatively exposing for 4 days, you will likely find THE ramen that makes your heart beat faster. The admission is free for everyone wanting to visit and know more about ramen culture; however, if you want to eat, you will need to purchase a ticket for 1,100¥ that you can exchange for a bowl. Ticket details are here. Opening times depend on the day; you can check the official schedule here. Get a taste of Japan and end October on a delicious note!
Date and time: October 23 to November 3, 2025, from 10:30 – 20:30
Location: Komazawa Olympic Park, Setagaya City
Festival’s website: https://ra-fes.com/
Tokyo has everything to offer to everyone, and next month promises to be particularly filled with many festivals, shows, and exhibitions! In the crossing of the end of Summer and the beginning of Autumn, you will likely find your to-pin activity on the list above! From watching fireworks in Setagaya to cosplaying for Halloween in Ikebukuro, you will not lack entertainment this year in October! We hope to see you there!
Featured Photo Credit: Dennis A. Amith
Ready to plan your October adventure? Our Tailored Travel team can help you create that perfect trip, tailored just for you!
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