15 Things to Do in Tokyo in November

As a special event for the “ARTE TOKYO” Culture and Arts Festival, 《Masayume》 by the contemporary art team mé will be held at Okutama General Sports Park on Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, and at Yoyogi Park Central Plaza on Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6.This project involves a broad call for faces from around the world, regardless of age, gender, or nationality, and features a “real person’s face” selected from among the submissions floating in the Tokyo sky.

“Tim Burton’s Labyrinth,” the smash-hit international touring exhibition that has captivated over 1 million visitors worldwide, finally makes its debut in Japan on Wednesday, November 25. This fall, you can enjoy a special experience walking through the world of Tim Burton’s works right here in Tokyo.This event was produced under the full supervision of Tim Burton himself. The exhibition space, which faithfully recreates the world of his films, offers an experience that fans—and families alike—will enjoy.

During the fall foliage season, you can enjoy the changing colors of the trees at Showa Memorial Park, where the scenery offers distinct charms by day and by night.Recommended daytime spots for viewing the fall foliage include “Canal,” where ginkgo trees are beautifully reflected on the water; “Katari Ginkgo Avenue,” featuring a 300-meter-long golden tunnel; and the “Japanese Garden,” where you can experience the unique charm of a stroll-style garden with a central pond. The “Autumn Night Stroll” illumination event was certified as a “Light-Up Nightscape Heritage” site in the 21st “Japan Nightscape Heritage” awards.

An autumn food festival held in the event area of Nakano Shiki-no-Mori Park. This year, 14 vendors will offer approximately 30 different menu items.This year, visitors can enjoy four distinct categories: “Playing with Potatoes,” featuring dishes that showcase a variety of textures; “Science of Potatoes,” with innovative creations that make roasted sweet potatoes seem like they’re undergoing a chemical reaction; “Tracing Potatoes,” offering classic dishes that highlight the inherent depth of the ingredient; and “Crossover,” featuring dishes that blend with unconventional ingredients and styles.

The illuminations at Oi Racecourse—known as a winter tradition enjoyed by families, couples, and groups of friends alike—are back again this year. In addition to the “Rainbow-Colored Giant Fountain,” “Aurora Forest,” and the 100-meter-long “Edo Cherry Blossom Tunnel,” the “Miniature Horse & Pony Petting Experience,” unique to Oi Racecourse, and the “Fountain × Guide Horse Show” (held only on weekends and holidays) are highly recommended for families with young children.

Launched in 2012, this is one of Tokyo’s largest flea markets. Over 300 vendors line the streets, offering antique tools, vintage goods, and beautifully bound used books collected from around the world. This year also marks the first-ever “Anko Fest,” which puts the spotlight on red bean paste.

In partnership with Art Week Tokyo, the limited-time cultural event “Tokyo Jazz Club” is being held for the first time. The venue spans all eight floors of a building that was once used as a lodging facility. By leveraging the unique spatial characteristics of each floor, the event aims to create cultural experiences that blur the boundaries between exhibitions, social spaces, and marketplaces.⁠

The Keyakizaka Illumination “SNOW & BLUE” is a winter tradition in Roppongi. During the same period, the “Roppongi Hills Christmas Market 2026,” held at the Grand Roof Plaza in Roppongi Hills, features a total of 10 vendors, including “Käte Wolfart”—famous for carrying traditional German Christmas items year-round—as well as stalls serving authentic German cuisine such as glühwein and sausages.

This Christmas event, originally from Fukuoka, is returning this year. Now in its second year, it has expanded its venues to include the area around Shinobazu Pond, featuring illuminations and a Christmas market.This winter, the Christmas circus “AURA” is making its debut in Tokyo. From Friday, November 27, to Thursday, December 24, there will be two 45-minute performances daily: 6:00 PM–6:45 PM and 8:00 PM–8:45 PM.

One of Japan’s largest Spanish festivals, where you can enjoy flamenco all over the venue. The program features not only authentic flamenco performed by professional dancers but also interactive events where the audience can join in the dancing, keeping the entire venue buzzing with the rhythms of flamenco from morning till night. The event also brings together authentic Spanish cuisine, including its signature “giant paella,” as well as Spanish wines and craft beers.

Now in its 27th year, this is a winter tradition in Ebisu. The sparkle of one of the world’s largest chandeliers brilliantly illuminates Ebisu Garden Place. Additionally, a Christmas tree approximately 10 meters tall will be on display in Clock Square. A Christmas market will also be held, where you can enjoy special menus perfect for the cold season at food trucks.

This year, the festival will be held at two venues—Shin-Toyosu (starting November 20) and Shiba Park (starting December 4)—through December 25. With a 14-meter-tall “Christmas Pyramid” from the village of Seifen, Germany, serving as its centerpiece, visitors can enjoy an authentic European atmosphere among stalls offering mulled wine, Christmas sweets, and European-style Christmas ornaments.

This autumn garden illumination event is held annually at Toshima City’s Mejiro Garden. At the garden’s tea house, “Sekichōan,” visitors can enjoy concerts, yoga classes, and tea ceremonies while taking in the illuminations. Reservations are required on November holidays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on December holidays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“Tokyo Cultural Properties Week” will be held centered around Culture Day on November 3. This special public viewing event, which opens cultural properties not normally accessible to the public, runs from Saturday, October 24, through Tuesday, November 3 (a national holiday).Programs featuring cultural property tours and special exhibitions will be held from Thursday, October 1, through Monday, November 30. Special guided tours of the Former Maeda Family Residence, a Designated Important Cultural Property, will be available from Saturday, October 25, through Monday, November 3 (a national holiday). Participation is free.

The “Candlelight Concert” has captivated over 3 million people in cities around the world. What sets it apart from other concert events is, as the name suggests, the opportunity to enjoy music surrounded by the glow of over 3,000 LED candles that envelop the venue. The November program features a “Michael Jackson” best-of medley
and a Yorushika best-of selection, among others.