With nature painted in red and many various events and festivals, you won’t lack fun this November in Tokyo! Whether you want to get some nice and meaningful souvenirs of your trip here, take some nice landscape pictures of the fall leaves, or want to experience some intercultural event, there will be something you won’t dare to miss if you’re in the Tokyo area! So let’s dive into some of the best things you can do in the capital in November!
Kanda Used Book Festival
Do you know Jimbocho in Kanda? With hundreds of Japanese bookstores, the so-called Tokyo’s book district is where this popular annual tradition is held at the beginning of November. If you are a heavy and passionate reader and are seeking old and used books, this is your must-attend market this Autumn. Along Jimbocho Street, from 10:00 to 18:00, many bookshelves are displayed on the sidewalk, creating a 500-meter-long corridor of over a million books that fully immerses you in the antique world. This year marks the 65th edition of the Kanda Used Book Festival, 65 years of immersion in Japanese literary culture every November. The displays are varied; you can find magazines, manga, and even rare titles if you’re lucky. There is likely something for every type of reader. It’s free access, but don’t forget to bring some cash, you might find your dream literary treasure!
Date and time: October 24th – November 3rd
Location: Jimbocho Book Town
Official Website: Jimbochou Book Town official website
26th Tokyo International Film Festival: Kuriyama Chiaki – Credits: Dick Thomas Johnson
38th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF)
Start the 11th month with a spotlight on the 7th art with Japan’s largest international film event, which is taking place all around Tokyo from the end of October to the beginning of November. Discover over 100 top movies of every genre and culture, enjoy outdoor screening and special events, participate in workshops, attend the Kurosawa Akira Award, meet famous celebrities and legendary figures of the cinema world, and take the opportunity to learn more about their productions. It’s a not-to-miss event whether you are a filmmaker, a true passionate about cinema, seeking cultural exchange, or just looking for some entertainment! Fees for one cinema session at TIFF usually cost around ¥1,300 to ¥2,000, while some special events require advance tickets or a lottery. Check here for all ticket information and booking!
Date: October 27th – November 5th
Location: Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area
Official Website: TIFF 2025 official website
Approximate Ticket Price: ¥1,300 to ¥2,000
Art Week Tokyo 2023 – Credits: Art Week Tokyo Press Kit
Art Week Tokyo
This November in Tokyo, wander around the city from exhibition to exhibition during the Art Week Tokyo (AWT), an event in collaboration with Art Basel since the very first edition 4 years ago. It’s a popular event, especially for amateurs of contemporary art and people looking for a strong community to discuss ecology, diversity, and creativity through art, with a particularly interesting theme for this year’s edition, “What is Real?”. Most of the exhibitions are free, with some exceptions (check here for more details), and everyone can join the venues. Why hesitate? Discover emerging Japanese artists and join the Art Week Tokyo community at the beginning of November 2025!
Important fact: free to use Shuttle buses connecting all exhibition spaces will operate during the whole week to allow easier access for visitors.
Date: November 5th – November 9th
Location: All 50+ exhibition venues here
Official Website: Art Week Tokyo (AWT) official website
Torino Ichi Fair in Shinjuku – Credits: ivva イワヲ
Tori no Ichi Fair I and II
In 2025, November welcomes again the Tori no ichi Fair, a 2-times festival held in several districts around Tokyo – and more globally around the Kanto region – including Shinjuku and Asakusa, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Based on the Chinese lunar calendar’s rooster days, the festival will take place on the 12th and the 24th this year, both days from midnight to midnight. This festival is an old tradition dating back to the Meiji period and is a popular event where people wish for prosperity and good luck in their business. Many food stalls and show huts are gathered in the designated areas such as the Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku, the Chokokuji Temple in Asakusa, or the Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu. The event is free to enter, but why not purchase a meaningful and traditional souvenir of the event: the kumade, a fancy, decorated bamboo said to attract good fortune. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy Tokyo’s old town atmosphere and to dive into Japanese cultural beliefs!
Date and time: November 11th and 24th
Location: All locations here
Official Website: Tori no Ichi Fair official website
Deaflympics 2017 – Credits: Norges idrettsforbund og olympiske og paralympiske komité
Deaflympics
First held in Paris in 1924 and taking place every 4 years since then, the Deaflympics of 2025 will celebrate their 100th anniversary here in Tokyo from the 15th to the 26th of November! As stated in the name, this is a counterpart of the famous International Olympic Games, but with only hearing-impaired athletes participating, an inclusive multi-sport event that spreads the values of sports for everyone. 70 to 80 countries will be represented through 21 different disciplines all around the prefecture. It’s the moment to discover your favorite sport arranged for a certain disability and to learn more about diversity in sport. You may also just want to cheer and encourage the athletes! Give them your attention and make this event even more memorable! The entrance is free and doesn’t require any registration beforehand, so jump in and enjoy the uniqueness of this event! Here is some useful information if you’re interested in watching the games.
Date and time: November 15th – November 26th
Location: Venues plan here
Official Website: Deaflympics official website, 2025 Deaflympics games in Tokyo official website
Similar Festival in Davao City, Philippines – Credit: Elvie Lins
Philippines Festival
The Filipino population in Japan, and especially around Tokyo, is huge! This is why the Philippines festival is a really popular event in the capital, as Japan’s largest festival celebrating the Filipino culture! From 9:00 to 20:00, come enjoy traditional food, contests, shows, carnivals, and even more at the festival taking place in Yoyogi Park. Authenticity, inclusion, tradition, performances, and the Philippines’ values all blend together to create a culturally rich environment and to discover more about this country and its people! This is a 2-day entertaining event supported by the Philippine embassy that promises to be memorable! A pleasing opportunity to embrace learning and connect to a unique culture. Entry is free, so get tempted by nice dishes and souvenirs!
Date and time: November 29th and 30th
Location: Yoyogi Park
Official Website: Philippines Festival official website
Game Market Spring 2025 displayed games – Credits: PR Times
Bonus Event (Chiba): Tokyo Game Market
A convention held twice a year near Tokyo, bringing board game lovers, families ,and everyone who wants to have some fun together, regardless of nationality, age, or gender! For 2 days in November, join the Tokyo Game Market to find some gaming treasures: card games, indie-designed games, puzzle games, role play games, and so many more to discover… This event is not only about games, it is about sharing and interacting! Respect and care about each other, spend a good time, and have fun together! All games are imagined and made by fans and devotees. This is also an opportunity to support new creators by purchasing a game! Come celebrate tabletop games, meet new people, and create connections!
Date and time: November 22nd (11:00-18:00) and 23rd (11:00-17:00)
Location: Makuhari Messe Exhibition Halls 3, 4, 5, and 6
Official Website: Game Market official website (Japanese)
Now, it’s time for you to organize your schedule! Which events will you be attending to without a doubt? You could even get to do all of these. November has everything to offer: beautiful landscapes, sports and cultural events, sharing and timeless moments. This season promises to be high in emotions, and full of lifetime memories waiting to be made. Get ready to experience the best things in Tokyo this month in Japan!
Featured Photo Credit: Ryutaro Tsukata on Pexels
Looking for more things to do in the country’s capital? Check out our full list of Tokyo Tours and book your once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget today!
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