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The spookiest month of the year is upon us, and that means blood-pumping, heart-pounding, nail-curling Halloween events in Tokyo. But you'll be relieved -- or perhaps disappointed -- to know that not all October events have a Halloween theme; there are also ancient Edo festivals, dance contests, and even a few fireworks displays to enjoy. For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide -- organized by month. 1. The mando ceremony at Oeshiki Festival October 12 Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Ota Beautiful lanterns everywhere The highlight of the Oeshiki Festival -- a festival commemorating the death of Buddhist priest Nichiren -- is the mando (10,000 light) rite. About 3,000 people carry sacred lanterns, decorated with cherry blossoms, along a route towards Ikegami Honmonji Temple. The spectacular procession starts around 6:30 p.m. and continues until midnight, circling the temple and Ikegami Station. 2. Kawagoe Festival October 18–19 Kawagoe Towering floats and rowdy atmosphere Kawagoe is affectionately nicknamed "Little Edo" because some of its streets still resemble those of the Edo period. The festival features large, towering, elaborate floats that are paraded around Kurazukuri Street. Stick around into the evening, as that's when things become even rowdier -- with traditional music performances, dancing, and paper lanterns. And of course, for a truly colorful sight, the floats will be lit up. 3. Tamagawa Fireworks Festival October 4 Futako-Tamagawa Station Tokyo's biggest autumn fireworks As one of -- if not the biggest -- fireworks events of autumn, the Tamagawa Fireworks Festival has a reputation to uphold. 6,000 bolts will be shot into the air on the riverbed beside Futako Tamagawa Station. Pro tip: It will be extremely busy (this is a popular area for families), so organizers recommend allowing for at least an hour to get to your spot before the fireworks start. 4. Ikebukuro Yosakoi Contest October 11–12 Ikebukuro For dance fans The first half of Ikebukuro's Fukuro Matsuri took place in September, but the second half is raring to go ahead -- so be sure not to miss it. Also known as the Tokyo Yosakoi Contest, this festival is devoted to yosakoi, an energetic traditional dance characterized by the use of clappers called naruko. Although the dance has traditional origins, it's common nowadays to fuse the basic elements of yosakoi with modern music and/or dance moves. Since this event is a contest, you'll see many different teams do their best to perform their takes on yosakoi. 5. Kōenji Festival October 25–26 Kōenji A community festival in one of the coolest spots in Tokyo How many festivals in Japan feature free outdoor pro wrestling? Not many, but Kōenji Fes is just that kind of event. While not as famous as its other festivals (see Kōenji Awa Odori), this community-run extravaganza is sure to get hearts pumping. Along with the wrestling action, there will be music held throughout the town, handmade markets, mascots, a stamp rally, and more. 6. Tokyo Ramen Festa October 23–November 3 Komazawa Olympic Park Get your fill of ramen There aren't many places where you can sample all of Japan's best ramen in one day. From tonkotsu to shōyu, you have the chance to sample all different varieties of soupy noodles at the Tokyo Ramen Festa. Split into three parts, the Tokyo ramen festival has rotating vendors, so each time you go, you can sample something different. Make sure to arrive hungry if you want to try a decent amount. Bowls are around and have to be purchased with a special ticket, which you can get at the venue or in advance. 7. Asakusa Golden Dragon Dance October 18 Asakusa Golden Dragon Dance See a dragon parade and geisha at Tokyo’s most famous temple The Golden Dragon Dance hits Tokyo’s famous Sensō-ji Temple twice a year to celebrate the temple’s reconstruction -- because, hey, you can’t have too much of a good thing. The roughly 18-meter dragon is skillfully maneuvered through town by a group of local volunteers to symbolize the temple’s origins, and if you arrive early, you may also catch geisha performances. The parade usually happens three times between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., starting at either the Denbōin Temple or Kaminarimon Gate, and ending with a performance outside Sensō-ji. 8. Tokyo Halloween events Throughout October All over Tokyo Spooky festivals aren't just for October 31 Halloween is October's biggest event in Tokyo, and celebrations have really taken off in recent years. There are events all over: Kagurazaka, Roppongi, Omotesandō, Ikebukuro, Kawasaki, and other parts of the city. The events come in different levels of family-friendliness, ranging from "perfect for small children" to "maybe it's not such a good idea to bring kids here". Five Halloween events to add to the diary are: Bake Neko (Supernatural Cat) Festival Kichijōji Halloween Festa Halloween Night in the Forest Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival Back From the Grave Halloween Ball Check out our Tokyo Halloween 2025 guide for a full rundown of events. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. Post first published October 2016. Last updated in September 2025 by Patrick Balfe.

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