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Things to do in Japan: October 2026

Sep. 29. 2026

After a long, hot summer, October’s cooler weather is finally giving us the perfect excuse to get out and explore again. Across Japan, the month brings a packed calendar of art exhibitions, food events, traditional festivals, craft fairs, and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences. Here are some of the events you might want to add to your autumn plans. Some take place for only a day or two, while others have limited availability, so be sure to make reservations in advance when required!

Tokyo

Aoyama Bread Festival

If you’ve lived in Tokyo for a while, you may have visited the Farmers Market held at the United Nations University. But did you know that it also hosts themed events like Aoyama Pan Matsuri? Returning after a long hiatus, the festival will bring together more than 80 bakeries and food makers from across Japan over three days. Special programs include a bread workshop and a collaborative food experience pairing dishes with selected breads.

Image courtesy of Farmers Market Association

📍 Farmers Market at UNU

📅 October 10 ~ 12

💰 Free Entry

For full details of the event, please check their official website.

Sumida Art Festival 2026

Through December 20, galleries, theaters, temples, shopping streets, and other spaces across Sumida Ward become stages for art. The diverse program explores the area’s history, industries, and people through exhibitions, performances, installations, and more. Check the official calendar and map to plan your route through the neighborhood. The festival is generally free, although selected programs and facilities charge admission.

Image courtesy of Sumida Art Festival Executive Committee.

📍 Across various venues in Sumida ward

📅 Until December 20

💰 Free*

*The festival is generally free, although selected programs and facilities charge admission.

For full details of the event, please check their official website.

Kyoto

Zen and Ghibli

Experience one of Osaka’s most thrilling traditional festivals at the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri. The Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri has more than 300 years of history, with multiple teams pulling massive, intricately carved wooden danjiri floats through the streets of Kishiwada. One of the biggest highlights is yarimawashi, when teams maneuver the floats around sharp street corners at speed. Come evening, the atmosphere changes as the danjiri are illuminated with hundreds of lanterns and slowly make their way through the streets.

Title Written by Toshio Suzuki © Kanyada

📍 Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Higashiyama Cube

📅 October 3 ~ December 6

💰 ¥1,900 (same-day ticket)

For full details of the event, please check their official website.

The 50th Kyoto Pottery Expo 2026

Kyoto’s largest pottery market returns for its 50th edition. More than 100 booths featuring emerging ceramic artists and long-established kilns will fill the Kiyomizu Pottery Complex, offering plenty of opportunities to discover handmade tableware and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Admission is free, and special transportation services will be available, including a direct bus from Kyoto Station and a free shuttle service in the Yamashina area.

Image courtesy of Kyoto Pottery Expo.

📍 Kiyomizu-yaki Pottery Complex area in Yamashina

📅 October 16 ~ 18

💰 Free Entry

For full details of the event, please check their official website.

Toyama

Tsuginote

Discover the creativity behind Japan’s manufacturing regions at Tsuginote, a two-day craft and industry festival in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. A total of 128 makers will gather to share traditional skills, contemporary design, and new approaches to sustainability. Visitors can meet the people behind the work and discover how regional craftsmanship continues to evolve. It’s an exciting event for anyone who appreciates Japanese craftsmanship or wants to learn more about it!

Image courtesy of Tsuginote Executive Committee.

📍Toyama Prefecture Takaoka Central Parking Lot

📅 October 24 & 25

💰 Free Entry

For full details of the event, please check their official website.

Aichi

Private Evening Hatcho Miso Brewery Tour & Vegan Dinner with Sake Pairing

For one night only in October, guests are invited inside Maruya Hatcho Miso, a historic brewery founded in 1337, for an exclusive after-hours experience. The evening begins with a private brewery tour, offering a closer look at its centuries-old traditions and production methods. Guests will then enjoy a vegan course dinner prepared by Za MISO, showcasing Hatcho miso and accompanied by carefully selected sake pairings.

A non-alcoholic pairing option is also available. Advance reservations are required, and availability is extremely limited.