Apr12026
Collection Exhibition: Western Art from the Middle Ages through the 20th Century
The collection exhibition of the National Museum of Western Art, presenting Western art from the Middle Ages through the 20th century.
164 events this weekend
What's on in Japan this weekend.
Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2026
Everything on the calendar that touches this weekend: festivals, exhibitions, illuminations and stage runs that started earlier and are still going, plus everything that starts this weekend. Each card shows its full run.
Jun62026
Tsubaki Noboru: FREEDOM, Living with the Elephant in the Room
A solo exhibition by Tsubaki Noboru built around giant elephant works made for the show, asking what freedom means in a society of unspoken taboos.
Jun302026
Showa 100th: The Evolution of Conservation and Restoration at the Museum during the Showa Period
An exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art marking 100 years of the Showa era, tracing how conservation and restoration work at the museum developed during that period.
Jul192026
Aki Sasamoto's Life Laboratory
An exhibition at the National Museum of Art, Osaka of Aki Sasamoto, whose installations and performances use everyday objects to examine human behaviour.
Jul192026
Toward the 50th Anniversary, Collection 1: Self / Action
A collection exhibition at the National Museum of Art, Osaka organised under the themes of self and action, ahead of the museum 50th anniversary.
Jul222026
Shiki Theatre Company: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Osaka)
Shiki Theatre Company's The Hunchback of Notre Dame plays its first Osaka run at the Osaka Shiki Theatre until 7 February 2027.
Performed in Japanese
Jul292026
Exhibition of Sengai's Artworks
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum of works by Sengai, the Zen monk celebrated for his ink paintings and calligraphy.
Aug112026
Mizoguchi Kenji
A film exhibition at the National Film Archive of Japan devoted to the director Mizoguchi Kenji.
Aug112026
Nihon Eiga: Japanese Cinema
An exhibition programme at the National Film Archive of Japan presenting the history of Japanese cinema.
Aug222026
Textiles of the Ryukyu Kingdom
A special exhibition marking the 90th anniversary of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, showing around 50 pieces of Ryukyu bingata and woven textiles.
Aug292026
Tada Minami: Still, Shimmering Light
A solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo of Tada Minami, whose work explores light and spatial composition.
Sep12026
Yoshida Hiroshi: Traveler, Poet, and Painter, The 150th Anniversary of His Birth
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum marking 150 years since the birth of Yoshida Hiroshi, the woodblock print artist who travelled the world recording its landscapes.
Sep52026
Lithuania: Songs Echoing in the Baltic Forests
A special exhibition at Nagoya City Museum introducing Lithuania through folk costumes and crafts from the National Museum of Lithuania.
Sep52026
Synchronic Constellation: Cross-Boundary Perspectives in Art
An exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo bringing together contemporary art across national and disciplinary boundaries.
Sep82026
Hitoshi Ushijima and Hiraki Sawa: With a Landscape (Noto Series)
An exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa presenting Hitoshi Ushijima and Hiraki Sawa with landscape works from the Noto series.
Sep82026
Yamauchi Terue: The Shore of Living and Dying (Fukuoka Contemporary Artists File 2026)
A solo exhibition of Yamauchi Terue at the Fukuoka Art Museum, presented in the museum Fukuoka Contemporary Artists File series for 2026.
Sep92026
Masterpieces of the Renaissance from the Musée du Louvre
A special exhibition at the National Art Center, Tokyo presenting Renaissance masterpieces from the collection of the Musée du Louvre.
Sep112026
5 Chome 4-1 Ginza, Tokyo by Ann Veronica Janssens
The first solo exhibition in Japan by Belgian artist Ann Veronica Janssens, at Le Forum in Ginza Maison Hermes.
Sep122026
Gege Akutami: Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition
An exhibition revealing how the manga Jujutsu Kaisen is made, with Gege Akutami digital manuscripts and commentary shown in public for the first time.
Sep122026
Kimono no Himitsu: Where Yuzen Is Born
An exhibition on the design thinking inside kimono, centred on the Chiso collection of the Kyoto yuzen house founded over 470 years ago.
Sep122026
MINIATURE LIFE EXHIBITION 2: Tatsuya Tanaka, MITATE Worlds
An exhibition at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art of Tatsuya Tanaka, whose miniature dioramas remake everyday objects into small worlds.
Sep122026
Mika Ninagawa Exhibition: Hajimari no Hikari (First Light)
The opening special exhibition of the new Kawaguchi City Art Museum, devoted to photographer Mika Ninagawa, published on the museum official site for 12 September to 29 November 2026.
Sep122026
My Ways of Making
An exhibition at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art titled My Ways of Making, presenting contemporary artists and their methods of making.
Sep122026
Soshi Matsunobe: Walls
A solo presentation by Soshi Matsunobe in The Triangle, the museum space dedicated to emerging artists from Kyoto. Admission is free.
Sep152026
Colorful Asia: Journey through Asia at Tokyo National Museum
An exhibition in the Toyokan building of the Tokyo National Museum introducing the arts and cultures of Asia through the museum collection.
Sep152026
Commemorating a Decade: The Sumida Hokusai Museum's Best, The Scenery on Both Banks of the Sumida River Picture Scroll and Other Masterpieces
A tenth anniversary special exhibition at The Sumida Hokusai Museum presenting the museum's finest works.
Sep152026
NEUTRAL COLORS: NEW CIRCUIT
An exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa titled NEUTRAL COLORS: NEW CIRCUIT, presenting contemporary work in a new circuit of display.
Sep162026
Asami Kiyokawa and Kohei Nawa: Invisible Garden
The first joint exhibition by artist Asami Kiyokawa and sculptor Kohei Nawa, questioning the boundary between the real and virtual, nature and artifice. Admission is free.
Sep162026
MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary
Animation studio MAPPA marks its 15th anniversary with a major exhibition at Yurakucho Museum in Tokyo, running 16 September to 7 December 2026.
Sep162026
Masterpieces from the Itsuo Art Museum Collection: Buson, Go Shun, and the Art of Tea
Selected masterpieces from the Itsuo Art Museum collection, built up by industrialist Kobayashi Ichizo, shown at the Suntory Museum of Art.
Sep172026
Nada no Sakagura Tanbou 2026 (Nada sake-brewery puzzle trail)
Autumn-winter campaign across Japan's largest sake-producing district, Nada Gogo, linking 14 brewery museums and shops in four walking courses during the new-sake season.
Sep192026
How to Walk Through Asian Art: South Asia Special Edition, Beyond Conflict: A Journey Along the Veins of Light
A special edition of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum guide exhibition devoted to South Asia, tracing a journey along veins of light beyond conflict.
Sep192026
Life with Flowers: Botanical Art and Design
An exhibition of botanical art and plant themed design at Fuchu Art Museum, published on the Fuchu City official site for 19 September to 29 November 2026.
Sep192026
MOT Collection: Past Light, Present Sight
A collection exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo titled Past Light, Present Sight, presenting works from the museum collection.
Sep192026
Momoko Sakura Exhibition
An exhibition at the Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art devoted to Momoko Sakura, the creator of Chibi Maruko-chan.
Sep192026
On the Street: May We Disturb You?
An exhibition at The Shoto Museum of Art in Shibuya exploring the street as public space, marking 40 years of the Street Observation Society.
Sep192026
SUIKODEN The Water Margin: Outlaws of the Marsh
An exhibition at Tokyo Station Gallery on the Water Margin, the classical Chinese novel of outlaws gathered under Song Jiang.
Sep192026
Swedish Textiles: Nordic Design Living in Daily Life and Nature
A Setagaya Art Museum exhibition of Swedish textiles, presenting Nordic design rooted in daily life and nature.
Sep192026
The Nagata Collection Revealed, Chapter 2: Hokusai, the Katsushika Hokusai and Taito Periods
Chapter 2 of the Nagata Collection survey shows some 520 works from Hokusai illustrated books, including the Hokusai Manga printing blocks.
Sep192026
Van Gogh Drawbridge and the Impressionist Painters: From the Wallraf-Richartz Museum
Seventy works by 42 painters from Cologne Wallraf-Richartz Museum, from the Barbizon school and Impressionism to Van Gogh, Gauguin and the colourists of the 20th century.
Sep192026
Yamaga Seika: Soaring Imagination, 140th Anniversary of His Birth
A retrospective of Kyoto textile artist Yamaga Seika (1885 to 1981), the first in 40 years, at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art.
Sep222026
Albert Marquet: A Retrospective
A retrospective at the Sompo Museum of Art of Albert Marquet, the French painter known for his quiet landscapes and views of ports and rivers.
Sep222026
Our Renoir: The Painter of Happiness Loved by Japan
An exhibition at the Shizuoka City Museum of Art devoted to Renoir, the painter of happiness long loved in Japan.
Sep242026
A Journey Through World Embroidery
An exhibition of fine embroidery from around 40 countries, from Japanese seasonal motifs and European haute couture work to Asian and African traditions.
Sep262026
Niyodo Blue Experience Expo 2026
A record 57 programmes across six towns along the Niyodo River, centred on the river's brilliant blue waters.
Sep262026
Tobacco and Salt Museum Miniature Exhibition
An exhibition of Japanese miniatures at the Tobacco and Salt Museum, named for the two collectors called Nakada who championed master miniaturist Kobayashi Rekisai.
Sep292026
Amis de Paris: Japanese Artists in Paris
An exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo on the Japanese artists who lived and worked in Paris.
Sep292026
Hiroshige: New Perspectives on Edo Japan
A special exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum presenting the ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige and new perspectives on Edo period Japan.
Sep292026
Living with Horses During the Kofun Period
An exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum examining the place of horses in Kofun period Japan.
Sep292026
MOMAT Collection
The collection exhibition of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, presenting modern and contemporary art from the museum holdings.
Sep302026
Ceramics from the Hizen Region: Tanakamaru Collection and Others
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum of ceramics from the Hizen region, drawn from the Tanakamaru Collection and other sources.
Sep302026
Duet: Asian Contemporary
An exhibition at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum presenting contemporary photography from Asia in paired presentations.
Oct32026
Andrew Wyeth Exhibition
The first large retrospective of Andrew Wyeth in Japan since his death, at the Abeno Harukas Art Museum in Osaka.
Oct32026
Artists at the Cafe: From the Impressionists, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec to Picasso
An exhibition at the Hiroshima Museum of Art on the cafe as a subject for artists, from the Impressionists, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec to Picasso.
Oct32026
Gongitsune 40th Anniversary: The Picture Book World of Ken Kuroi
A special exhibition marking 40 years since the publication of Gongitsune, with Ken Kuroi original picture book illustrations, wood carvings and his own tools.
Oct32026
Marimekko: The Art of Printmaking, Beauty, Dream, Love
An exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum on Marimekko, the Finnish design house, and the art of its printed textiles.
Oct32026
Nikko Autumn Leaves Season
Colour descends by altitude over six weeks, from Okunikko's lakes to the Toshogu shrine woods.
Oct32026
Painters Palettes: Secrets of the Masters Creation
An exhibition of artists palettes from the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art collection, built up by gallery founder Hasegawa Jin, revealing how the masters mixed their colours.
Oct32026
Zen and Ghibli
An exhibition at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art bringing together Zen and the world of Studio Ghibli.
Oct62026
Kyuhaku Autumn Tour: Flavor Forever, Stories to Savor
An autumn exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum on food culture, presenting stories to savour from the collection.
Oct62026
The Tale of Genji: Radiant Culture of the Japanese Imperial Court
A special exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum on The Tale of Genji and the radiant culture of the Heian imperial court.
Oct72026
Picture Book Artist Chiki Kikuchi Exhibition: Ikimono Rhapsody
An exhibition of picture book artist Chiki Kikuchi at PLAY! MUSEUM in Tachikawa, published on the venue official site for 7 October to 13 December 2026.
Oct92026
A Design Chronicle: Japanese Design Across a Century
An exhibition at the National Crafts Museum in Kanazawa tracing Japanese design across a century.
Oct92026
Tokinosumika Hikari no Sumika
Gotemba's Tokinosumika resort lights about 5,500,000 LEDs for the 25th Hikari no Sumika, themed 'DREAM LIGHTS SYMPHONY'.
Oct102026
Beppu Art Month 2026 (17th)
Beppu's open-platform cultural festival run by BEPPU PROJECT in which citizens and artists stage exhibitions, performances and workshops across the hot-spring city each autumn.
Oct102026
Goldman Collection: The World of Kawanabe Kyosai
Works by Kawanabe Kyosai (1831 to 1889) from the collection of Israel Goldman, at the Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art.
Oct102026
Maeda Kanji at 130: Poetry and Realism
A large retrospective marking 130 years since the birth of Maeda Kanji, the Kurayoshi-born painter who pursued his own realism before dying at 33.
Oct102026
National Museum of Art, Collection Dialogue: Matsukata Kojiro x Yamamura Tokutaro, Bringing Rodin to Japan, Taking Gutai to the World
An exhibition at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art on the collectors Matsukata Kojiro and Yamamura Tokutaro, whose work brought Rodin to Japan and carried the Gutai group to the world.
Oct102026
Tove and the Moomins: In Search of Treasured Things
Marking 80 years since the first Moomin novel, around 300 works trace Tove Jansson art, from oil paintings and wartime satire to Moomin originals and sketches.
Oct102026
Tsugu: mina perhonen
An exhibition tracing the fashion and textile brand mina perhonen, founded by Akira Minagawa, through the idea of tsugu, passing things on.
Oct122026
KonoSuba Exhibition: Cheerful
An exhibition for the KonoSuba series at AKIBA SQUARE in Akihabara, listed on the official Tokyo tourism events service from 12 to 31 October 2026.
Oct132026
Kimura Sotoji Retrospective
A retrospective exhibition at the National Film Archive of Japan devoted to the film director Kimura Sotoji.
Oct142026
Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare
A special exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum on Daitokuji, the great Zen temple of Kyoto, presenting treasures associated with the temple.
Oct142026
Suzuki Takashi: Mono no Okashi
Photographer Suzuki Takashi explores how vision and perception shape what we think we see, shown with works from the museum collection that he selected.
Oct172026
Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination: Flower Fantasy
More than five million bulbs light the 100,000 square metre Ashikaga Flower Park, including a light recreation of its famous great wisteria.
Oct172026
Chintz: A Global Story, The Karun Thakar Collection
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum telling the global story of chintz, the printed cotton textiles of India, through the Karun Thakar Collection.
Oct172026
Hello Kitty Exhibition: When I Change, Kitty Changes Too
The eighth stop of the touring Hello Kitty 50th anniversary exhibition, with the largest display of Kitty goods in the exhibition history.
Oct172026
Nabana no Sato Illumination
One of Japan's largest illumination events, with a tunnel of light and a themed LED landscape at a flower park in Nagashima Resort.
Oct172026
Takarazuka Revue: Elisabeth, Rondo of Love and Death (Takarazuka Grand Theater)
Elisabeth: Rondo of Love and Death runs at the Takarazuka Grand Theater from 17 October to 22 November 2026.
Performed in Japanese
Oct182026
Kyobashi-za
An exhibition at the National Film Archive of Japan on the Kyobashi-za and the cinema culture of the Kyobashi district of Tokyo.
Oct202026
Form in Art: Perceiving with the Hand, AOKI Noe
An exhibition in the Form in Art series at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, presenting sculptor Aoki Noe in an exhibition designed around perceiving form with the hand.
Oct202026
What Is Zen-ei (Avant-Garde)?!
An exhibition at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art asking what the avant-garde was in postwar Japanese art.
Oct222026
Matsunaga Jian and Wintertime Tea Gatherings
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum on Matsunaga Jian and the tea gatherings of the winter season.
Oct232026
City Lights: National Ballet of Japan
City Lights, a world premiere ballet inspired by Chaplin's film, opens the National Ballet of Japan season from 23 October to 1 November 2026.
Oct232026
Eric Carle: It All Began with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Marking 50 years of the Japanese edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, around 180 works from the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
Oct232026
Kobe Illuminage
Kobe Illuminage, in its 17th year, lights the Fruit and Flower Park Osawa on the theme 'Starlight Dream'.
Oct232026
Takehisa Yumeji: An Artist Who Defined His Era
An exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo on Takehisa Yumeji, the artist whose lyrical images defined Taisho era visual culture.
Oct242026
78th Shosoin Exhibition
The 78th annual Shosoin Exhibition at the Nara National Museum, presenting treasures from the Shosoin repository.
Oct242026
Jam Session: Ishibashi Foundation Collection x Hikari Fujii, WHOSE LIGHT?
A Jam Session exhibition at the Artizon Museum pairing the Ishibashi Foundation Collection with contemporary artist Hikari Fujii.
Oct242026
Mount Takao Autumn Leaves Festival
A seven-week autumn festival on Tokyo's favourite mountain, with weekend performances at the cable car base.
Oct242026
Musical Funny Girl at Hakataza
The musical Funny Girl, the story of Broadway star Fanny Brice, plays Hakataza in Fukuoka from 24 October to 1 November 2026.
Performed in Japanese
Oct242026
Okinawa Nangoku Illumination at Southeast Botanical Gardens
Southeast Botanical Gardens' tropical illumination, an Illumination Award winner, runs from 24 October 2026 to 23 May 2027.
Oct242026
Reflections in Jewellery: Memory and Identity
An exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto exploring jewellery as a carrier of memory and identity, with around 350 pieces.
Oct242026
SMBC Japan Series 2026
NPB's best-of-seven championship series between the Yokohama DeNA BayStars and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, played in Yokohama and Fukuoka.
Oct242026
Senzaki Chieo: Toward the Depths of the Gaze
An exhibition at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art presenting the work of Senzaki Chieo.
Oct242026
Tangled Scenery: Hirai Koki
An exhibition at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art presenting Hirai Koki and the layered scenery of Hiroshima and Kure.
Oct242026
The Strangers' Gaze: Japanese Artists in Europe
An exhibition at the Artizon Museum examining Japanese artists who worked in Europe and the gaze they directed at unfamiliar cultures, and that was directed back at them.
Oct242026
Tobu Zoo Winter Illumination 2026-2027
Tobu Zoo opens after dark on 65 winter days, with animal light objects, a 50 metre tunnel of light and a music-synced illumination tree.
Oct242026
Turner: Painting the Sublime, in Dialogue with Contemporary Art
An exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art devoted to J. M. W. Turner and his painting of the sublime, shown in dialogue with contemporary art.
Oct262026
JIMTOF 2026: The 33rd Japan International Machine Tool Fair
A large international machine tool trade fair at Tokyo Big Sight, listed on the venue official calendar from 26 to 31 October 2026.
Oct262026
Tokyo International Film Festival 2026 (39th TIFF)
Japan's largest international film festival screens 204 films over 10 days in central Tokyo.
Oct272026
Feature Exhibition: Kyuhaku's Ryukyu Collection
A feature exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum presenting the museum collection of art and objects from the Ryukyu Islands.
Oct282026
Shojo Manga Infinity: Moto Hagio x Ryoko Yamagishi x Waki Yamato (National Art Center Tokyo)
Landmark three-artist exhibition of shojo manga legends Hagio, Yamagishi and Yamato, part of the Art Week Tokyo 2026 institutional programme.
Oct292026
Showa Kinen Park Autumn Leaves Festival and Night Walk
Golden ginkgo avenues and a lit Japanese garden, with evening opening for the autumn night walk.
Oct292026
Yomiuriland Jewellumination 2026: Growing Light
Yomiuriland's jewel-coloured Jewellumination, designed by Motoko Ishii, runs from late October to early April on the theme 'Growing Light'.
Oct302026
Bigelow: The Phantom Collection and the Dawn of Modern Japanese Painting
Marking 100 years since the death of William Bigelow, the Boston collector whose patronage shaped the Museum of Fine Arts Japanese collection and modern nihonga.
Oct302026
DESIGNART TOKYO 2026
Tokyo's design and art festival fills around 70 venues across the city for 10 days.
Oct302026
Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2026
A large Halloween cosplay festival centred on Ikebukuro and Sunshine City, listed on the official Tokyo tourism events service from 30 October to 1 November 2026.
Oct302026
Kyoto Antique Fair
One of western Japan's largest antique fairs, at Kyoto Pulse Plaza with around 300 dealers and free admission.
Oct302026
NHK Symphony Orchestra Brahms Symphony Cycle: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4
The NHK Symphony Orchestra plays Brahms Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4 at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach.
Oct302026
Oita Hikari no Fantasy 2026
Central Oita lights about 550,000 bulbs along Chuo-dori and Funai Aqua Park for Hikari no Fantasy, subtitled 'Ashita ni Kakeru Hoshi'.
Oct302026
Saga International Balloon Fiesta
International hot air balloon competition on the Kase Riverbank in Saga City, with 123 balloons entered for 2026.
Oct302026
Sapporo Symphony Orchestra: Toyota Performance
The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra plays a touring concert at Toyota City Concert Hall in Toyota on 2026-10-30.
Oct302026
Tokyo Pub Crawl: Halloween Special (Roppongi)
Hosted pub crawl in Roppongi, Halloween Special theme, starting at Bar Propaganda at 19:00 and visiting three bars before finishing at a club.
Oct302026
Tokyo Ramen Festa
One of Japan's largest ramen events, with 12 ramen shops from across the country serving at Komazawa Olympic Park.
Oct312026
Ekin Told and Retold: 150 Years After His Death
An exhibition at The Museum of Art, Kochi, on Ekin, the Tosa painter of the late Edo period, 150 years after his death.
Oct312026
Festa Luce in Wakayama Marina City
Festa Luce recreates a European Christmas town inside Porto Europa at Wakayama Marina City, in its 10th anniversary year.
Oct312026
Finland Spirit Sauna: A Culture of Warmth Living with Nature
An exhibition at the Toyama Glass Art Museum on Finnish sauna culture, in a country with some three million saunas.
Oct312026
From Today to Tomorrow: On the Stewardship of a Work
An exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, asking how artworks can be carried into the future.
Oct312026
Himiko and Her Mirrors: The Making of a Kingdom
A special exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum on Himiko, the shaman queen of early Japan, and the mirrors associated with her rule.
Oct312026
Hirakata Park Hikari no Yuenchi: Flowering Illumination
Hirakata Park turns into a 'park of light' on winter weekends, with 17 illuminated areas and a new 17 metre floral castle.
Oct312026
Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra: Bouquet of Music Masterpiece Concert, Autumn
The Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra plays the Autumn concert of its Bouquet of Music masterpiece series at the Hiroshima International Conference Center Phoenix Hall in Hiroshima on 2026-10-31.
Oct312026
Kinshu (Autumn) Bunraku Performance, National Bunraku Theatre Osaka
The autumn Bunraku season runs at the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka from 31 October to 23 November 2026.
Performed in Japanese
Oct312026
Kotogahama Bamboo Lantern Evening 2026
Hundreds of handmade bamboo lanterns light Kotogahama Beach, one of Japan's 100 best moon viewing spots, on 31 October 2026.
Oct312026
Mariko Mori: All That Shines (Mori Art Museum)
Major retrospective of Mariko Mori, including the walk-in Wave UFO, at the Mori Art Museum ahead of its temporary closure from 2027-09-24 for renovation.
Oct312026
Mashiko Autumn Pottery Fair
The autumn edition of Japan's largest pottery fair fills Mashiko's main street with hundreds of potters, craft stalls and food stalls.
Oct312026
Mori Art Award 2026 Grand Prize Exhibition: Katayama Mari
An exhibition at the Mori Art Museum presenting Katayama Mari, winner of the Mori Art Award 2026 Grand Prize.
Oct312026
NHK Symphony Orchestra Brahms Symphony Cycle: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 1
The NHK Symphony Orchestra plays Brahms Symphonies Nos. 3 and 1 at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach.
Oct312026
Roppongi Art Night 2026
Tokyo's all-night art festival returns, running from 5pm on 31 October to 6am on 1 November 2026.
Oct312026
Shiga Lieko: Nanumokanumo
A major solo exhibition by photographer Shiga Lieko, marking the museum 20th anniversary and 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Oct312026
Suntory Hall 40th Anniversary Gala Concert
Suntory Hall marks its 40th anniversary with a gala concert featuring Mitsuko Uchida with the Wiener Philharmoniker conducted by Riccardo Muti.
Oct312026
Takarazuka Revue: RRR x TAKARAZUKA, √Rama (Tokyo)
RRR x TAKARAZUKA: √Rama runs at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater from 31 October to 13 December 2026.
Performed in Japanese
Oct312026
The British Museum's Japanese Art Collection: Hyakka Ryoran, Edo Paintings That Crossed the Seas
Edo period paintings from the British Museum's Japanese art collection, shown at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka.
Oct312026
Tokushima Odori Festa 2026
A two day autumn programme centred on Awa Odori around Shinmachibashi Street in Tokushima City, 31 October to 1 November 2026.
Oct312026
Tokyo Mega Illumi 2026-2027
Oi Racecourse's Tokyo Mega Illumi runs its final season in 2026-2027, with the 100 metre Edo cherry blossom tunnel.
Oct312026
Tokyo Pub Crawl: Halloween Special (Roppongi)
Hosted pub crawl in Roppongi, Halloween Special theme, starting at Bar Propaganda at 19:00 and visiting three bars before finishing at a club.
Oct312026
Vissel Kobe vs Nagoya Grampus (J1 League)
A 2026-27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League fixture at NOEVIR Stadium Kobe in Kobe, part of the first J1 season played on an autumn to spring calendar.
Nov12026
Aoyama Farmer's Market
A weekend farmers market in front of United Nations University in Aoyama, Tokyo, with farm stalls and food trucks every Saturday and Sunday.
Nov12026
BENI: THE SHOW 2026 at Billboard Live Yokohama
BENI: THE SHOW 2026 performs at Billboard Live Yokohama in Yokohama on 2026-11-01.
Nov12026
Izumi Winter Crane Festival 2026-2027
More than 10,000 hooded and white naped cranes winter at Izumi, Japan's largest crane roost, watched from the observation centre from November to February.
Nov12026
Kabuki at Kabuki-za: November 2026 Programme
Kabuki-za's November programme runs 1 to 25 November 2026 with matinee and evening performances.
Performed in Japanese
Nov12026
Katsuura Morning Market
A historic morning market in Katsuura, Chiba, held every morning except Wednesdays, with about 50 stalls of seafood and farm produce.
Nov12026
Kiefer at Blue Note Tokyo
Kiefer plays Blue Note Tokyo in Tokyo from 1 to 3 November 2026.
Nov12026
Kochi Sunday Market
Kochi's famous Sunday market, held every Sunday along Otesuji street, with farm produce from across the prefecture.
Nov12026
Korankei Momiji Matsuri
Some 4,000 maples colour the Korankei gorge in Asuke, with Mt Iimori lit every evening of November.
Nov12026
Lumine the Yoshimoto Daily Comedy Shows
Daily manzai and comedy shows at Lumine the Yoshimoto in Shinjuku, the largest Yoshimoto theatre in Tokyo.
Performed in Japanese
Nov12026
Machida Tenmangu Garakuta Antique Market
A lively antique market held on the 1st of every month at Machida Tenmangu Shrine, with over 100 stalls of antiques and bric-a-brac.
Nov12026
Namba Grand Kagetsu Daily Comedy Shows
Daily comedy at Namba Grand Kagetsu in Osaka, with manzai, rakugo and a new Yoshimoto Shinkigeki production each week.
Performed in Japanese
Nov12026
Naoshima New Museum of Art and Benesse Art Site Naoshima (ongoing programme)
The tenth Tadao Ando building on Naoshima and the first focused on Asian contemporary art (Murakami, Cai Guo-Qiang, Do Ho Suh), anchoring the Benesse Art Site islands between Triennale years.
Nov12026
Ohara Fureai Morning Market
A Sunday morning market in the farming village of Ohara in the hills north of Kyoto, where growers sell their own vegetables and processed foods.
Nov12026
Sengan-en Chrysanthemum Festival 2026
Roughly 15,000 chrysanthemums adorn Sengan-en over the festival, a local favourite for more than 50 years.
Nov12026
Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon 2026
A hilly, scenic marathon along the Kanmon Strait and the Sea of Japan coast of Shimonoseki, with a 'kaikyo' (strait) fun run; about 10,000 runners.
Nov12026
Takayama Jinya-mae Morning Market
A daily morning market in the plaza in front of Takayama Jinya, selling local vegetables, fruit, miso and mochi.
Nov12026
Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market
Takayama's famous riverside morning market, held every day along the Miyagawa River and counted among Japan's three great morning markets.
Nov12026
Tatehana Ganpeki Morning Market
A huge Sunday morning market on the quay at Tatehana fishing port in Hachinohe, Aomori, running from mid-March to late December.
Nov12026
Tenno Sho (Autumn) 2026 (G1)
A Grade 1 flat race over 2,000 metres, turf at Tokyo Racecourse, one of the championship races of the Japan Racing Association season.
Nov12026
Toji Garakuta-ichi Antique Market
A monthly antique market on the first Sunday at Toji Temple in Kyoto, with several hundred stalls of antiques and secondhand goods.
Nov12026
Tokyo City Flea Market (Oi Racecourse)
A large weekend flea market at Oi Racecourse in Shinagawa, with several hundred stalls selling secondhand clothes, household goods and bric-a-brac.
Nov12026
Toyama Marathon 2026
A city road race in Toyama, Toyama Prefecture. The point to point course crosses the Shinminato Bridge with views of the Tateyama mountain range.
Nov12026
Ube Festival 2026
Ube's largest festival on 1 November 2026, built on the coal town's Nanban Ondo dance, with parades, taiko, yosakoi and a hikiyama float.
Nov12026
Wajima Morning Market
One of Japan's three great morning markets, held daily on Asaichi-dori in Wajima, Ishikawa, with about 200 stalls.
Nov12026
Yobuko Morning Market
A daily morning market in the squid port of Yobuko, Karatsu, Saga, famous for fresh and dried seafood.
Nov12026
Yokohama F. Marinos vs Kawasaki Frontale (J1 League, Kanagawa Derby)
A 2026-27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League fixture at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, part of the first J1 season played on an autumn to spring calendar.
Nov12026
odol One-Man Live 2026 at Cotton Club
odol One-Man Live 2026 performs at Cotton Club in Tokyo on 2026-11-01.
Next weekend
Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November 2026
Apr12026
Collection Exhibition: Western Art from the Middle Ages through the 20th Century
The collection exhibition of the National Museum of Western Art, presenting Western art from the Middle Ages through the 20th century.
Jun62026
Tsubaki Noboru: FREEDOM, Living with the Elephant in the Room
A solo exhibition by Tsubaki Noboru built around giant elephant works made for the show, asking what freedom means in a society of unspoken taboos.
Jun302026
Showa 100th: The Evolution of Conservation and Restoration at the Museum during the Showa Period
An exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art marking 100 years of the Showa era, tracing how conservation and restoration work at the museum developed during that period.
Jul222026
Shiki Theatre Company: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Osaka)
Shiki Theatre Company's The Hunchback of Notre Dame plays its first Osaka run at the Osaka Shiki Theatre until 7 February 2027.
Performed in Japanese
Jul292026
Exhibition of Sengai's Artworks
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum of works by Sengai, the Zen monk celebrated for his ink paintings and calligraphy.
Aug112026
Mizoguchi Kenji
A film exhibition at the National Film Archive of Japan devoted to the director Mizoguchi Kenji.
Aug112026
Nihon Eiga: Japanese Cinema
An exhibition programme at the National Film Archive of Japan presenting the history of Japanese cinema.
Aug292026
Tada Minami: Still, Shimmering Light
A solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo of Tada Minami, whose work explores light and spatial composition.
Sep12026
Yoshida Hiroshi: Traveler, Poet, and Painter, The 150th Anniversary of His Birth
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum marking 150 years since the birth of Yoshida Hiroshi, the woodblock print artist who travelled the world recording its landscapes.
Sep52026
Synchronic Constellation: Cross-Boundary Perspectives in Art
An exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo bringing together contemporary art across national and disciplinary boundaries.
Sep82026
Hitoshi Ushijima and Hiraki Sawa: With a Landscape (Noto Series)
An exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa presenting Hitoshi Ushijima and Hiraki Sawa with landscape works from the Noto series.
Sep82026
Yamauchi Terue: The Shore of Living and Dying (Fukuoka Contemporary Artists File 2026)
A solo exhibition of Yamauchi Terue at the Fukuoka Art Museum, presented in the museum Fukuoka Contemporary Artists File series for 2026.
Sep92026
Masterpieces of the Renaissance from the Musée du Louvre
A special exhibition at the National Art Center, Tokyo presenting Renaissance masterpieces from the collection of the Musée du Louvre.
Sep112026
5 Chome 4-1 Ginza, Tokyo by Ann Veronica Janssens
The first solo exhibition in Japan by Belgian artist Ann Veronica Janssens, at Le Forum in Ginza Maison Hermes.
Sep122026
Gege Akutami: Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition
An exhibition revealing how the manga Jujutsu Kaisen is made, with Gege Akutami digital manuscripts and commentary shown in public for the first time.
Sep122026
Kimono no Himitsu: Where Yuzen Is Born
An exhibition on the design thinking inside kimono, centred on the Chiso collection of the Kyoto yuzen house founded over 470 years ago.
Sep122026
MINIATURE LIFE EXHIBITION 2: Tatsuya Tanaka, MITATE Worlds
An exhibition at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art of Tatsuya Tanaka, whose miniature dioramas remake everyday objects into small worlds.
Sep122026
Mika Ninagawa Exhibition: Hajimari no Hikari (First Light)
The opening special exhibition of the new Kawaguchi City Art Museum, devoted to photographer Mika Ninagawa, published on the museum official site for 12 September to 29 November 2026.
Sep122026
My Ways of Making
An exhibition at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art titled My Ways of Making, presenting contemporary artists and their methods of making.
Sep122026
Soshi Matsunobe: Walls
A solo presentation by Soshi Matsunobe in The Triangle, the museum space dedicated to emerging artists from Kyoto. Admission is free.
Sep152026
Colorful Asia: Journey through Asia at Tokyo National Museum
An exhibition in the Toyokan building of the Tokyo National Museum introducing the arts and cultures of Asia through the museum collection.
Sep152026
Commemorating a Decade: The Sumida Hokusai Museum's Best, The Scenery on Both Banks of the Sumida River Picture Scroll and Other Masterpieces
A tenth anniversary special exhibition at The Sumida Hokusai Museum presenting the museum's finest works.
Sep152026
NEUTRAL COLORS: NEW CIRCUIT
An exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa titled NEUTRAL COLORS: NEW CIRCUIT, presenting contemporary work in a new circuit of display.
Sep162026
Asami Kiyokawa and Kohei Nawa: Invisible Garden
The first joint exhibition by artist Asami Kiyokawa and sculptor Kohei Nawa, questioning the boundary between the real and virtual, nature and artifice. Admission is free.
Sep162026
MAPPA EXPO 15th Anniversary
Animation studio MAPPA marks its 15th anniversary with a major exhibition at Yurakucho Museum in Tokyo, running 16 September to 7 December 2026.
Sep162026
Masterpieces from the Itsuo Art Museum Collection: Buson, Go Shun, and the Art of Tea
Selected masterpieces from the Itsuo Art Museum collection, built up by industrialist Kobayashi Ichizo, shown at the Suntory Museum of Art.
Sep172026
Nada no Sakagura Tanbou 2026 (Nada sake-brewery puzzle trail)
Autumn-winter campaign across Japan's largest sake-producing district, Nada Gogo, linking 14 brewery museums and shops in four walking courses during the new-sake season.
Sep192026
How to Walk Through Asian Art: South Asia Special Edition, Beyond Conflict: A Journey Along the Veins of Light
A special edition of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum guide exhibition devoted to South Asia, tracing a journey along veins of light beyond conflict.
Sep192026
Life with Flowers: Botanical Art and Design
An exhibition of botanical art and plant themed design at Fuchu Art Museum, published on the Fuchu City official site for 19 September to 29 November 2026.
Sep192026
MOT Collection: Past Light, Present Sight
A collection exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo titled Past Light, Present Sight, presenting works from the museum collection.
Sep192026
Momoko Sakura Exhibition
An exhibition at the Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art devoted to Momoko Sakura, the creator of Chibi Maruko-chan.
Sep192026
On the Street: May We Disturb You?
An exhibition at The Shoto Museum of Art in Shibuya exploring the street as public space, marking 40 years of the Street Observation Society.
Sep192026
SUIKODEN The Water Margin: Outlaws of the Marsh
An exhibition at Tokyo Station Gallery on the Water Margin, the classical Chinese novel of outlaws gathered under Song Jiang.
Sep192026
Swedish Textiles: Nordic Design Living in Daily Life and Nature
A Setagaya Art Museum exhibition of Swedish textiles, presenting Nordic design rooted in daily life and nature.
Sep192026
The Nagata Collection Revealed, Chapter 2: Hokusai, the Katsushika Hokusai and Taito Periods
Chapter 2 of the Nagata Collection survey shows some 520 works from Hokusai illustrated books, including the Hokusai Manga printing blocks.
Sep192026
Van Gogh Drawbridge and the Impressionist Painters: From the Wallraf-Richartz Museum
Seventy works by 42 painters from Cologne Wallraf-Richartz Museum, from the Barbizon school and Impressionism to Van Gogh, Gauguin and the colourists of the 20th century.
Sep192026
Yamaga Seika: Soaring Imagination, 140th Anniversary of His Birth
A retrospective of Kyoto textile artist Yamaga Seika (1885 to 1981), the first in 40 years, at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art.
Sep222026
Albert Marquet: A Retrospective
A retrospective at the Sompo Museum of Art of Albert Marquet, the French painter known for his quiet landscapes and views of ports and rivers.
Sep222026
Our Renoir: The Painter of Happiness Loved by Japan
An exhibition at the Shizuoka City Museum of Art devoted to Renoir, the painter of happiness long loved in Japan.
Sep242026
A Journey Through World Embroidery
An exhibition of fine embroidery from around 40 countries, from Japanese seasonal motifs and European haute couture work to Asian and African traditions.
Sep262026
Niyodo Blue Experience Expo 2026
A record 57 programmes across six towns along the Niyodo River, centred on the river's brilliant blue waters.
Sep262026
Tobacco and Salt Museum Miniature Exhibition
An exhibition of Japanese miniatures at the Tobacco and Salt Museum, named for the two collectors called Nakada who championed master miniaturist Kobayashi Rekisai.
Sep292026
Amis de Paris: Japanese Artists in Paris
An exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo on the Japanese artists who lived and worked in Paris.
Sep292026
Hiroshige: New Perspectives on Edo Japan
A special exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum presenting the ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige and new perspectives on Edo period Japan.
Sep292026
Living with Horses During the Kofun Period
An exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum examining the place of horses in Kofun period Japan.
Sep292026
MOMAT Collection
The collection exhibition of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, presenting modern and contemporary art from the museum holdings.
Sep302026
Ceramics from the Hizen Region: Tanakamaru Collection and Others
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum of ceramics from the Hizen region, drawn from the Tanakamaru Collection and other sources.
Sep302026
Duet: Asian Contemporary
An exhibition at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum presenting contemporary photography from Asia in paired presentations.
Oct32026
Andrew Wyeth Exhibition
The first large retrospective of Andrew Wyeth in Japan since his death, at the Abeno Harukas Art Museum in Osaka.
Oct32026
Artists at the Cafe: From the Impressionists, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec to Picasso
An exhibition at the Hiroshima Museum of Art on the cafe as a subject for artists, from the Impressionists, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec to Picasso.
Oct32026
Gongitsune 40th Anniversary: The Picture Book World of Ken Kuroi
A special exhibition marking 40 years since the publication of Gongitsune, with Ken Kuroi original picture book illustrations, wood carvings and his own tools.
Oct32026
Marimekko: The Art of Printmaking, Beauty, Dream, Love
An exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum on Marimekko, the Finnish design house, and the art of its printed textiles.
Oct32026
Nikko Autumn Leaves Season
Colour descends by altitude over six weeks, from Okunikko's lakes to the Toshogu shrine woods.
Oct32026
Painters Palettes: Secrets of the Masters Creation
An exhibition of artists palettes from the Kasama Nichido Museum of Art collection, built up by gallery founder Hasegawa Jin, revealing how the masters mixed their colours.
Oct32026
Zen and Ghibli
An exhibition at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art bringing together Zen and the world of Studio Ghibli.
Oct62026
Kyuhaku Autumn Tour: Flavor Forever, Stories to Savor
An autumn exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum on food culture, presenting stories to savour from the collection.
Oct62026
The Tale of Genji: Radiant Culture of the Japanese Imperial Court
A special exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum on The Tale of Genji and the radiant culture of the Heian imperial court.
Oct72026
Picture Book Artist Chiki Kikuchi Exhibition: Ikimono Rhapsody
An exhibition of picture book artist Chiki Kikuchi at PLAY! MUSEUM in Tachikawa, published on the venue official site for 7 October to 13 December 2026.
Oct92026
A Design Chronicle: Japanese Design Across a Century
An exhibition at the National Crafts Museum in Kanazawa tracing Japanese design across a century.
Oct92026
Tokinosumika Hikari no Sumika
Gotemba's Tokinosumika resort lights about 5,500,000 LEDs for the 25th Hikari no Sumika, themed 'DREAM LIGHTS SYMPHONY'.
Oct102026
Beppu Art Month 2026 (17th)
Beppu's open-platform cultural festival run by BEPPU PROJECT in which citizens and artists stage exhibitions, performances and workshops across the hot-spring city each autumn.
Oct102026
Goldman Collection: The World of Kawanabe Kyosai
Works by Kawanabe Kyosai (1831 to 1889) from the collection of Israel Goldman, at the Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art.
Oct102026
Maeda Kanji at 130: Poetry and Realism
A large retrospective marking 130 years since the birth of Maeda Kanji, the Kurayoshi-born painter who pursued his own realism before dying at 33.
Oct102026
National Museum of Art, Collection Dialogue: Matsukata Kojiro x Yamamura Tokutaro, Bringing Rodin to Japan, Taking Gutai to the World
An exhibition at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art on the collectors Matsukata Kojiro and Yamamura Tokutaro, whose work brought Rodin to Japan and carried the Gutai group to the world.
Oct102026
Tove and the Moomins: In Search of Treasured Things
Marking 80 years since the first Moomin novel, around 300 works trace Tove Jansson art, from oil paintings and wartime satire to Moomin originals and sketches.
Oct102026
Tsugu: mina perhonen
An exhibition tracing the fashion and textile brand mina perhonen, founded by Akira Minagawa, through the idea of tsugu, passing things on.
Oct132026
Kimura Sotoji Retrospective
A retrospective exhibition at the National Film Archive of Japan devoted to the film director Kimura Sotoji.
Oct142026
Daitokuji: A Zen Temple Beyond Compare
A special exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum on Daitokuji, the great Zen temple of Kyoto, presenting treasures associated with the temple.
Oct142026
Suzuki Takashi: Mono no Okashi
Photographer Suzuki Takashi explores how vision and perception shape what we think we see, shown with works from the museum collection that he selected.
Oct172026
Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination: Flower Fantasy
More than five million bulbs light the 100,000 square metre Ashikaga Flower Park, including a light recreation of its famous great wisteria.
Oct172026
Chintz: A Global Story, The Karun Thakar Collection
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum telling the global story of chintz, the printed cotton textiles of India, through the Karun Thakar Collection.
Oct172026
Hello Kitty Exhibition: When I Change, Kitty Changes Too
The eighth stop of the touring Hello Kitty 50th anniversary exhibition, with the largest display of Kitty goods in the exhibition history.
Oct172026
Nabana no Sato Illumination
One of Japan's largest illumination events, with a tunnel of light and a themed LED landscape at a flower park in Nagashima Resort.
Oct172026
Takarazuka Revue: Elisabeth, Rondo of Love and Death (Takarazuka Grand Theater)
Elisabeth: Rondo of Love and Death runs at the Takarazuka Grand Theater from 17 October to 22 November 2026.
Performed in Japanese
Oct182026
Kyobashi-za
An exhibition at the National Film Archive of Japan on the Kyobashi-za and the cinema culture of the Kyobashi district of Tokyo.
Oct202026
Form in Art: Perceiving with the Hand, AOKI Noe
An exhibition in the Form in Art series at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, presenting sculptor Aoki Noe in an exhibition designed around perceiving form with the hand.
Oct202026
What Is Zen-ei (Avant-Garde)?!
An exhibition at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art asking what the avant-garde was in postwar Japanese art.
Oct222026
Matsunaga Jian and Wintertime Tea Gatherings
An exhibition at the Fukuoka Art Museum on Matsunaga Jian and the tea gatherings of the winter season.
Oct232026
Eric Carle: It All Began with The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Marking 50 years of the Japanese edition of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, around 180 works from the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.
Oct232026
Kobe Illuminage
Kobe Illuminage, in its 17th year, lights the Fruit and Flower Park Osawa on the theme 'Starlight Dream'.
Oct232026
Takehisa Yumeji: An Artist Who Defined His Era
An exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo on Takehisa Yumeji, the artist whose lyrical images defined Taisho era visual culture.
Oct242026
78th Shosoin Exhibition
The 78th annual Shosoin Exhibition at the Nara National Museum, presenting treasures from the Shosoin repository.
Oct242026
Jam Session: Ishibashi Foundation Collection x Hikari Fujii, WHOSE LIGHT?
A Jam Session exhibition at the Artizon Museum pairing the Ishibashi Foundation Collection with contemporary artist Hikari Fujii.
Oct242026
Mount Takao Autumn Leaves Festival
A seven-week autumn festival on Tokyo's favourite mountain, with weekend performances at the cable car base.
Oct242026
Okinawa Nangoku Illumination at Southeast Botanical Gardens
Southeast Botanical Gardens' tropical illumination, an Illumination Award winner, runs from 24 October 2026 to 23 May 2027.
Oct242026
Reflections in Jewellery: Memory and Identity
An exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto exploring jewellery as a carrier of memory and identity, with around 350 pieces.
Oct242026
Senzaki Chieo: Toward the Depths of the Gaze
An exhibition at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art presenting the work of Senzaki Chieo.
Oct242026
Tangled Scenery: Hirai Koki
An exhibition at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art presenting Hirai Koki and the layered scenery of Hiroshima and Kure.
Oct242026
The Strangers' Gaze: Japanese Artists in Europe
An exhibition at the Artizon Museum examining Japanese artists who worked in Europe and the gaze they directed at unfamiliar cultures, and that was directed back at them.
Oct242026
Tobu Zoo Winter Illumination 2026-2027
Tobu Zoo opens after dark on 65 winter days, with animal light objects, a 50 metre tunnel of light and a music-synced illumination tree.
Oct242026
Turner: Painting the Sublime, in Dialogue with Contemporary Art
An exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art devoted to J. M. W. Turner and his painting of the sublime, shown in dialogue with contemporary art.
Oct272026
Feature Exhibition: Kyuhaku's Ryukyu Collection
A feature exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum presenting the museum collection of art and objects from the Ryukyu Islands.
Oct282026
Shojo Manga Infinity: Moto Hagio x Ryoko Yamagishi x Waki Yamato (National Art Center Tokyo)
Landmark three-artist exhibition of shojo manga legends Hagio, Yamagishi and Yamato, part of the Art Week Tokyo 2026 institutional programme.
Oct292026
Showa Kinen Park Autumn Leaves Festival and Night Walk
Golden ginkgo avenues and a lit Japanese garden, with evening opening for the autumn night walk.
Oct292026
Yomiuriland Jewellumination 2026: Growing Light
Yomiuriland's jewel-coloured Jewellumination, designed by Motoko Ishii, runs from late October to early April on the theme 'Growing Light'.
Oct302026
Bigelow: The Phantom Collection and the Dawn of Modern Japanese Painting
Marking 100 years since the death of William Bigelow, the Boston collector whose patronage shaped the Museum of Fine Arts Japanese collection and modern nihonga.
Oct302026
DESIGNART TOKYO 2026
Tokyo's design and art festival fills around 70 venues across the city for 10 days.
Oct302026
Oita Hikari no Fantasy 2026
Central Oita lights about 550,000 bulbs along Chuo-dori and Funai Aqua Park for Hikari no Fantasy, subtitled 'Ashita ni Kakeru Hoshi'.
Oct312026
Ekin Told and Retold: 150 Years After His Death
An exhibition at The Museum of Art, Kochi, on Ekin, the Tosa painter of the late Edo period, 150 years after his death.
Oct312026
Festa Luce in Wakayama Marina City
Festa Luce recreates a European Christmas town inside Porto Europa at Wakayama Marina City, in its 10th anniversary year.
Oct312026
Finland Spirit Sauna: A Culture of Warmth Living with Nature
An exhibition at the Toyama Glass Art Museum on Finnish sauna culture, in a country with some three million saunas.
Oct312026
From Today to Tomorrow: On the Stewardship of a Work
An exhibition at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, asking how artworks can be carried into the future.
Oct312026
Himiko and Her Mirrors: The Making of a Kingdom
A special exhibition at the Kyushu National Museum on Himiko, the shaman queen of early Japan, and the mirrors associated with her rule.
Oct312026
Hirakata Park Hikari no Yuenchi: Flowering Illumination
Hirakata Park turns into a 'park of light' on winter weekends, with 17 illuminated areas and a new 17 metre floral castle.
Oct312026
Kinshu (Autumn) Bunraku Performance, National Bunraku Theatre Osaka
The autumn Bunraku season runs at the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka from 31 October to 23 November 2026.
Performed in Japanese
Oct312026
Mariko Mori: All That Shines (Mori Art Museum)
Major retrospective of Mariko Mori, including the walk-in Wave UFO, at the Mori Art Museum ahead of its temporary closure from 2027-09-24 for renovation.
Oct312026
Mori Art Award 2026 Grand Prize Exhibition: Katayama Mari
An exhibition at the Mori Art Museum presenting Katayama Mari, winner of the Mori Art Award 2026 Grand Prize.
Oct312026
Shiga Lieko: Nanumokanumo
A major solo exhibition by photographer Shiga Lieko, marking the museum 20th anniversary and 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Oct312026
Takarazuka Revue: RRR x TAKARAZUKA, √Rama (Tokyo)
RRR x TAKARAZUKA: √Rama runs at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater from 31 October to 13 December 2026.
Performed in Japanese
Oct312026
The British Museum's Japanese Art Collection: Hyakka Ryoran, Edo Paintings That Crossed the Seas
Edo period paintings from the British Museum's Japanese art collection, shown at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka.
Oct312026
Tokyo Mega Illumi 2026-2027
Oi Racecourse's Tokyo Mega Illumi runs its final season in 2026-2027, with the 100 metre Edo cherry blossom tunnel.
Nov12026
Aoyama Farmer's Market
A weekend farmers market in front of United Nations University in Aoyama, Tokyo, with farm stalls and food trucks every Saturday and Sunday.
Nov12026
Izumi Winter Crane Festival 2026-2027
More than 10,000 hooded and white naped cranes winter at Izumi, Japan's largest crane roost, watched from the observation centre from November to February.
Nov12026
Kabuki at Kabuki-za: November 2026 Programme
Kabuki-za's November programme runs 1 to 25 November 2026 with matinee and evening performances.
Performed in Japanese
Nov12026
Katsuura Morning Market
A historic morning market in Katsuura, Chiba, held every morning except Wednesdays, with about 50 stalls of seafood and farm produce.
Nov12026
Kochi Sunday Market
Kochi's famous Sunday market, held every Sunday along Otesuji street, with farm produce from across the prefecture.
Nov12026
Korankei Momiji Matsuri
Some 4,000 maples colour the Korankei gorge in Asuke, with Mt Iimori lit every evening of November.
Nov12026
Lumine the Yoshimoto Daily Comedy Shows
Daily manzai and comedy shows at Lumine the Yoshimoto in Shinjuku, the largest Yoshimoto theatre in Tokyo.
Performed in Japanese
Nov12026
Machida Tenmangu Garakuta Antique Market
A lively antique market held on the 1st of every month at Machida Tenmangu Shrine, with over 100 stalls of antiques and bric-a-brac.
Nov12026
Namba Grand Kagetsu Daily Comedy Shows
Daily comedy at Namba Grand Kagetsu in Osaka, with manzai, rakugo and a new Yoshimoto Shinkigeki production each week.
Performed in Japanese
Nov12026
Naoshima New Museum of Art and Benesse Art Site Naoshima (ongoing programme)
The tenth Tadao Ando building on Naoshima and the first focused on Asian contemporary art (Murakami, Cai Guo-Qiang, Do Ho Suh), anchoring the Benesse Art Site islands between Triennale years.
Nov12026
Ohara Fureai Morning Market
A Sunday morning market in the farming village of Ohara in the hills north of Kyoto, where growers sell their own vegetables and processed foods.
Nov12026
Sengan-en Chrysanthemum Festival 2026
Roughly 15,000 chrysanthemums adorn Sengan-en over the festival, a local favourite for more than 50 years.
Nov12026
Takayama Jinya-mae Morning Market
A daily morning market in the plaza in front of Takayama Jinya, selling local vegetables, fruit, miso and mochi.
Nov12026
Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market
Takayama's famous riverside morning market, held every day along the Miyagawa River and counted among Japan's three great morning markets.
Nov12026
Tatehana Ganpeki Morning Market
A huge Sunday morning market on the quay at Tatehana fishing port in Hachinohe, Aomori, running from mid-March to late December.
Nov12026
Toji Garakuta-ichi Antique Market
A monthly antique market on the first Sunday at Toji Temple in Kyoto, with several hundred stalls of antiques and secondhand goods.
Nov12026
Tokyo City Flea Market (Oi Racecourse)
A large weekend flea market at Oi Racecourse in Shinagawa, with several hundred stalls selling secondhand clothes, household goods and bric-a-brac.
Nov12026
Wajima Morning Market
One of Japan's three great morning markets, held daily on Asaichi-dori in Wajima, Ishikawa, with about 200 stalls.
Nov12026
Yobuko Morning Market
A daily morning market in the squid port of Yobuko, Karatsu, Saga, famous for fresh and dried seafood.
Nov32026
Friday Road Show and Ghibli Exhibition: Saga
The Saga stop of the exhibition tracing the Friday Road Show broadcasts that introduced Studio Ghibli films to Japan, with immersive spaces from the films.
Nov32026
Hikari no Machi Hakata 2026
JR Hakata Station plaza becomes the 'City of Light Hakata' for its 15th year, with the new 160,000-bulb 'Hakatarium' symbol.
Nov32026
Karamono Tanjo: Tracing the Sources of Chanoyu Design
A special exhibition at the Sen-Oku Hakukokan Museum Tokyo on karamono, the Chinese wares treasured in the tea ceremony.
Nov32026
Kochi Tuesday Market
Kochi's Tuesday street market, part of the city's centuries old tradition of weekday street markets, with farm produce and dried fish.
Nov32026
Matsumoto Architecture and Art Festival 2026
Art installations take over Matsumoto's historic buildings from 3 November to 13 December 2026.
Nov32026
Midosuji Illumination 2026
Osaka's Midosuji boulevard lights about 4 kilometres of ginkgo trees as a core programme of the Festival of the Lights in Osaka.
Nov42026
AZIZA featuring Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke and Eric Harland at Blue Note Tokyo
Bassist Dave Holland brings his band AZIZA to Blue Note Tokyo for three days, with Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke and Eric Harland.
Nov42026
Art Week Tokyo 2026
Art Basel-partnered citywide week linking 42 galleries and 13 institutional shows via free shuttle buses, with ten AWT Focus curator-led spaces. Tokyo's key annual contemporary-art moment.
Nov42026
ONE N' ONLY MEGA GOLDEN POP-UP STORE (Tokyo)
A limited run pop-up store for the group ONE N' ONLY in Harajuku, published on the official artist site for 4 to 15 November 2026.
Nov52026
Kochi Thursday Market
Kochi's Thursday street market below Kochi Castle, the second most popular of the city's weekday markets, with around 65 stalls.
Nov52026
Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Illumination
Roppongi Hills lights its Keyakizaka zelkova avenue with about 970,000 LEDs in the 2026 'SNOW & BLUE' colour scheme.
Nov52026
Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas 2026
Tokyo Skytree Town lights about 400,000 bulbs for its Dream Christmas, in 2026 themed 'STAR LIGHT GOLD'.
Nov52026
Yagoto Koshoji Ennichi
A monthly temple fair on the 5th, 13th and 21st at Yagoto Koshoji in Nagoya, one of the city's most frequent ennichi.
Nov52026
Yuki Koyanagi at Billboard Live Osaka
Yuki Koyanagi performs at Billboard Live Osaka in Osaka on 2026-11-05 to 2026-11-06.
Nov62026
Amusement Expo 2026
Amusement Expo 2026, the arcade and amusement industry show organised by JAIA, runs at Tokyo Big Sight on 6 and 7 November 2026.
Nov62026
Anatole Muster at Cotton Club
Anatole Muster performs at Cotton Club in Tokyo on 2026-11-06 to 2026-11-07.
Nov62026
Ayumi Nakamura Wonderful Night 2026 at Billboard Live Yokohama
Ayumi Nakamura Wonderful Night 2026 performs at Billboard Live Yokohama in Yokohama on 2026-11-06.
Nov62026
Echizen Crab Season
The fixed annual season for Echizen-gani snow crab, Fukui's winter delicacy, from 6 November to 20 March.
Nov62026
Huis Ten Bosch 'The Starlight Million' illumination and European Holy Christmas
Japan's largest illumination by bulb count (13 million+), fully refreshed for the first time in 16 years in 2026 with a 'walk among the stars' concept, plus a European Christmas market and giant trees.
Nov62026
Huis Ten Bosch Kingdom of Lights (The Starlight Million)
Winter illumination at Huis Ten Bosch in Sasebo, renewed for 2026-27 as The Starlight Million.
Nov62026
Izu Kogen Gran Illumi (Granillumi)
Gran Illumi, the walk-through illumination at Izu Granpal Park, opens its 12th season and runs into the following summer.
Nov62026
Kasadera Roku-no-ichi Market
A thrice-monthly market on the 6th, 16th and 26th at Kasadera Kannon Temple in Nagoya, taking its name from the number six.
Nov62026
Kochi Friday Market
Kochi's Friday street market at Atagocho Hiroba under the railway tracks, with farm produce and everyday foods.
Nov62026
National Noh Theatre: November Regular Performance
The National Noh Theatre's November regular performance, on 6 November 2026, pairs the kyogen Oni-no-mamako with the noh Morihisa.
Performed in Japanese
Nov62026
Ohashi Trio at Billboard Live Tokyo
Ohashi Trio performs at Billboard Live Tokyo in Tokyo on 2026-11-06.
Nov62026
Ohatsu Tenjin Flea Market
A small monthly antique flea market on the first Friday at Tsuyutenjin Shrine, known as Ohatsu Tenjin, in Sonezaki, Osaka.
Nov62026
Tokyo Pub Crawl: Lucky Night (Roppongi)
Hosted pub crawl in Roppongi, Lucky Night theme, starting at Bar Propaganda at 19:00 and visiting three bars before finishing at a club.
Nov62026
Whisky Festival 2026 in Tokyo
Japan's largest whisky tasting fair, 121 exhibitors including Japanese craft distilleries, run by critic Mamoru Tsuchiya's Whisky Culture Institute. Prime chance to taste rare Japanese whisky.
Nov72026
Art Collaboration Kyoto 2026
Japan's leading collaborative contemporary art fair, pairing Japanese galleries with international partners (Hauser & Wirth, Jeffrey Deitch and others in 2026) inside Otani Sachio's brutalist conference hall, backed by Kyoto Prefecture.
Nov72026
Co shu Nie at Billboard Live Osaka
Co shu Nie performs at Billboard Live Osaka in Osaka on 2026-11-07.
Nov72026
FC Tokyo vs Kashima Antlers (J1 League)
A 2026-27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League fixture at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, part of the first J1 season played on an autumn to spring calendar.
Nov72026
Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival
Maples line the Maple Corridor on Lake Kawaguchi's north shore, lit until 21:00 with Mt Fuji across the water.
Nov72026
Gifu Nobunaga Festival
Gifu honours Oda Nobunaga on the first Saturday and Sunday of November, with a mounted warrior procession through the city centre.
Nov72026
Hanno Festival
Hanno's autumn festival in early November, with yatai floats and festival music in the town centre.
Nov72026
Hills Marche in ARK Hills
A weekly Saturday farmers market at Ark Hills in Akasaka, running since 2009, where growers sell fresh produce and regional foods direct.
Nov72026
Ishigaki Matsuri
The 62nd Ishigaki Island Festival, Ishigaki's largest civic festival, held at Shin'ei Park.
Nov72026
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra: Muza Kawasaki Series No. 5
The Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra plays Brahms, Mendelssohn and Beethoven at Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall on 7 November 2026.
Nov72026
Kiryu Tenmangu Antique Market
A monthly antique market on the first Saturday at Kiryu Tenmangu Shrine in Gunma, counted among the Kanto region's three great antique markets.
Nov72026
Kotaro Oshio Live Tour: Love Is All Around at Billboard Live Yokohama
Kotaro Oshio Live Tour: Love Is All Around performs at Billboard Live Yokohama in Yokohama on 2026-11-07.
Nov72026
Mika Nakashima at Blue Note Tokyo
Mika Nakashima plays Blue Note Tokyo in Tokyo on 7 and 8 November 2026.
Nov72026
Morioka Zaimokucho Yoichi
A Saturday evening street market along Morioka's Zaimokucho shopping street, running since 1974, with local produce and street food.
Nov72026
Musical SPY x FAMILY 2 at Hakataza
The stage musical sequel of the hit manga and anime SPY x FAMILY plays Hakataza from 7 to 22 November 2026.
Performed in Japanese
Nov72026
Oasis 21 Organic Farmers Morning Market
A weekly organic farmers market every Saturday morning at Oasis 21 in Sakae, central Nagoya, run by organic farmers from five prefectures.
Nov72026
Oedo Antique Market
Japan's largest outdoor antique market, held on the ground plaza of the Tokyo International Forum in Marunouchi, with around 250 dealers in antiques, vintage goods and crafts.
Nov72026
Saito Kofun Matsuri
About 800 people in ancient dress carry torches through the Saitobaru burial mounds on the first Saturday and Sunday of November.
Nov72026
Shiki Theatre Company: Robot in the Garden (Tokyo)
Shiki Theatre Company's musical Robot in the Garden runs at the Jiyu Theatre in Tokyo from 7 November 2026 to 13 February 2027.
Performed in Japanese
Nov72026
Tokyo Pub Crawl: Lucky Night (Roppongi)
Hosted pub crawl in Roppongi, Lucky Night theme, starting at Bar Propaganda at 19:00 and visiting three bars before finishing at a club.
Nov72026
Tsuchiura All-Japan Fireworks Competition
One of Japan's three great fireworks competitions, where makers demonstrate new shells over the Sakura River in Tsuchiura.
Nov72026
Umekoji Park Handicraft Market
A monthly handmade market on the first Saturday at Umekoji Park in Kyoto, with around 300 stalls, skipping January, May and August.
Nov72026
Usuki Takeyoi Bamboo Lantern Festival
Some 20,000 bamboo lanterns light the samurai streets of Usuki for the legend of Princess Hannyahime.
Nov72026
Utsunomiya Gyoza Festival
Over 20 Utsunomiya gyoza restaurants serve cheap three piece plates at Castle Park on the first weekend of November, with live jazz.
Nov72026
Wiener Philharmoniker Week in Japan 2026: Riccardo Muti Conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker
Riccardo Muti conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker in three programmes at Suntory Hall during Wiener Philharmoniker Week in Japan 2026.
Nov82026
Arashiyama Momiji Matsuri
Heian-style boats perform court music and dance on the Oi River under the autumn maples of Arashiyama.
Nov82026
Atami Marine Fireworks Festival
Fireworks over Atami Bay held more than ten times a year, each 20-minute display ending with the Dai-Kuchu Niagara finale across the bay.
Nov82026
Fukuoka Marathon 2026
Point-to-point city marathon for 13,000 runners from central Fukuoka to a coastal finish in Itoshima.
Nov82026
Gamba Osaka vs Cerezo Osaka (J1 League, Osaka Derby)
A 2026-27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League fixture at Panasonic Stadium Suita in Suita, part of the first J1 season played on an autumn to spring calendar.
Nov82026
Higashi Betsuin Kurashi no Asaichi
A lifestyle morning market in the grounds of Higashi Betsuin temple in Nagoya, held three times a month on the 8th, 18th and 28th.
Nov82026
Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament 2026
The November grand sumo tournament: 15 days at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
Nov82026
Marina Watanabe at Billboard Live Tokyo
Marina Watanabe performs at Billboard Live Tokyo in Tokyo on 2026-11-08.
Nov82026
Okayama Marathon 2026
A city road race in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture. The flat city course passes Okayama Castle and the Korakuen area and draws about 15,000 runners.
Nov82026
Oyakushi-san no Tezukuri-ichi
A monthly handmade market at the Yakushido hall in Sendai, with around 50 stalls of crafts and food, held on the 8th of each month.
Nov82026
Shoichi Fukui 30th Anniversary Concert: Curtain Never Falls at Cotton Club
Shoichi Fukui 30th Anniversary Concert: Curtain Never Falls performs at Cotton Club in Tokyo on 2026-11-08.
Nov82026
Vissel Kobe vs Urawa Red Diamonds (J1 League, National Stadium)
A 2026-27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League fixture at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) in Tokyo, part of the first J1 season played on an autumn to spring calendar.
Nov82026
Wiener Philharmoniker Week in Japan 2026: Open Rehearsal with Riccardo Muti
A free open rehearsal by the Wiener Philharmoniker conducted by Riccardo Muti at Suntory Hall, with advance application required.
Nov82026
YEBISU Marche
An urban marche at Ebisu Garden Place with organic and natural produce, processed foods and lifestyle goods, held on the second and fourth Sundays.