Gold ginkgo, rooster markets and the first winter lights
Key dates
to 1 Nov · Kanda Book Festival
to 4 Nov · TIFF
3 Nov · Culture Day
7 & 19 Nov · Tori-no-ichi
15 Nov · Shichi-go-san
23 Nov · Labour Thanksgiving
~26 Nov · Ginkgo peak
~29 Nov · Maple peak
Festivals & holidays
Until 4 November · Tokyo International Film Festival
The 39th festival, 26 October to 4 November, in Hibiya, Yurakucho and Marunouchi.
Until 1 November · Kanda Furuhon Matsuri
The 66th used-book festival fills Jimbōchō’s pavements, 23 October to 1 November, 10:00–18:00.
3 November · Culture Day
A national holiday (Tuesday); expect crowds at gardens and museums.
7 and 19 November · Tori-no-ichi
Rooster-day fairs selling lucky bamboo rakes, at Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku and Ōtori Shrine in Asakusa. Busy into the night.
15 November · Shichi-go-san
Families bring children in kimono to shrines such as Meiji Jingu. Be discreet with cameras.
23 November · Labour Thanksgiving Day
A Monday holiday, making 21–23 November a busy long weekend.
Autumn leaves & lights
Showa Kinen Park autumn festival
29 October to 29 November, with evening illuminations of the ginkgo avenues and Japanese garden.
Mejiro Garden illumination
21 November to 6 December, 17:30–21:00, in a small pond garden near Ikebukuro.
Rikugien night viewing
25 November to 6 December 2026: the maples and pond lit after dark. A separate evening ticket is needed.
Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka lights
5 November to 25 December, 17:00–22:00, with Tokyo Tower at the end of the street.
Roppongi Hills Christmas Market
21 November to 25 December in Ōyane Plaza. Many stalls sell pork sausages and mulled wine.
Tokyo Midtown Christmas
Garden illuminations from 26 November; the ice rink opens on 5 December.
The Japan Meteorological Corporation forecasts Tokyo’s ginkgo peak around 26 November and maples around 29 November 2026. City gardens often hold colour into early December.