As the summer time warmth subsides, Tokyo welcomes a month full of thrilling occasions and festivals in September 2023. From conventional Japanese celebrations to internationally themed gatherings, there’s no scarcity of festivities for locals and vacationers alike. Below is a complete information to essentially the most anticipated occasions, organized by date.
Tokyo Events in September 2023
Senzoku-Ike Autumn Festival: A Celebration of Japanese Culture and Tradition
Venue: Senzoku-Ike Pond
When: Tuesday – Sep fifth 2023
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
The Senzoku-Ike Autumn Festival kicks off September occasions on the serene park and pond space in Northern Ota Ward. This pageant provides an opportunity to discover the charming Senzoku-Ike pond and shrine whereas having fun with conventional Japanese meals, leisure, and cultural experiences.
Nourishing Food Stands
Visitors could take pleasure in numerous meals stands serving Japanese dishes equivalent to yakisoba, hen, potatoes, kebabs, and novelty candies.
Interactive Games for Children
Festival-goers can have interaction in video games and actions and win prizes from stands providing fishing, capturing, and throwing video games. All video games are priced at a couple of hundred yen every.
Guided Senzoku-Ike Tours
Local volunteer teams provide guided excursions led by multilingual workers (English out there). The dates and occasions of those strolling excursions might be discovered on the occasion web site.
Traditional Shinto Music and Dance Performances
Musicians taking part in conventional bamboo flutes and Japanese drums resonate all through Senzoku-Ike Park throughout this autumn pageant. At the close by Senzokuhachiman Shrine stage, guests can witness Edo Sato Kagura dances depicting heroic tales from Japanese historical past.
Getting There: Senzokuike is well accessible by taking the Tokyu Ikegami Line to Senzokuike Station, which connects to the Yamanote Line at Gotanda Station.
Tokyo Sumo Tournament: Experience Japan’s National Sport from September 10 to September 24
Venue: Kokugikan
When: September 10 to September 24, 2023
Time: 8:30am
One of essentially the most extremely anticipated occasions in Tokyo in September 2023 is the Tokyo Sumo Tournament, which takes place from September 10 to September 24. This conventional Japanese wrestling occasion, honbasho, boasts wealthy cultural and non secular roots, originating as a efficiency to entertain Shinto deities. Today, sumo tournaments are an necessary a part of Japanese tradition and a must-see expertise for locals and vacationers alike.
Preserving Tradition: The Symbolic Rituals in Sumo Wrestling
The sumo tournaments proceed incorporating many spiritual rituals and traditions into the game. One such ritual is the dohyo (ring) purification with salt earlier than every match. The wrestlers additionally carry out “dohyo-iri’, a ring-entering ceremony at the start of the day’s matches. All these symbolic gestures present respect to the gods and pay tribute to Sumo’s historic origins.
Intense Matches with out Weight Restrictions
Sumo matches are fast-paced and intense, with every bout often lasting just some seconds. However, some matches can last as long as a minute or extra. Sumo has no weight restrictions or lessons, which means wrestlers may very well be matched towards opponents a number of occasions their measurement. Weight achieve and sustaining bulk are important in a wrestler’s coaching routine.
Tickets & How to Attend
Tickets for the Tokyo Sumo Tournament are divided into field and enviornment seats. Box seating accommodates 4 individuals on tatami mats *. Advance tickets go on sale from August 5, with some extra tickets out there on the day of the occasion.
Guests can attend all sumo matches all through the day with their ticket buy, permitting spectators to go away and return as they, please. For those that can’t attend through the match, there are additionally choices to see Sumo in Tokyo all year long.
Daradara Matsuri
Venue: Shiba Daijingu Shrine; Shiba Park
Date: September 11 – September 21, 2023
The Daradara Matsuri, often known as the “Never-ending Festival” or “Ginger Root Festival,” is an 11-day occasion distinguished by its in depth length. Held at Shiba Daijingu Shrine subsequent to Shiba Park, the pageant celebrates the lifesaving properties of ginger root throughout Yui Shosetsu’s rebellion towards the Tokugawa shogunate. Enjoy recent ginger and fascinating performances throughout this historic occasion.
Sumo Wrestlers’ Ranks and Tournament Structure
Sumo wrestlers, often called Rikishi, are ranked primarily based on their efficiency in earlier tournaments. The hierarchy contains a number of ranges, from yokozuna (the best rank) to jonokuchi (the bottom). Each of the six annual grand sumo tournaments lasts 15 days, with wrestlers competing in a single match per day. A win earns them one level, and the wrestler with essentially the most factors of their division is asserted the winner on the finish of the match.
Wa No Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan: An Exhibition Dedicated to Japanese Color and Light
Venue: Hotel Gajoen, Meguro
When: Jul 1st – Sep twenty fourth 2023
Time: 10:00 – 17:00
The Wa No Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan exhibition continues subsequent, providing a singular and glowing showcase of illuminated items from non-public people and organizations. Displays from iconic cultural occasions, such because the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri and Nagasaki Lantern Festival, can be exhibited at Meguro’s Hotel Gajoen.
Magnificent Art Illumination
This exhibition takes place within the well-known “Hyakudan Kaidan” (One Hundred Stairs), a Tangible Cultural Asset of Tokyo. The theme, ‘Light and Shadow: One Hundred Stories,’ revolves round conventional ghost storytelling throughout summer time months. Installations equivalent to ornate lanterns, ghost figures, and yokai (Japanese demons) illustrations might be seen all through the exhibition. Admission charges vary from ¥1,200 to ¥1,500 per individual.
Getting There: Hotel Gajoen’s Hyakudan Kaidan constructing is situated about three minutes on foot from Meguro Station’s West Exit, accessible through the JR Yamanote Line, Tokyu Meguro Line, or the Namboku or Mita subway strains.
Tahiti Festa 2023
Venue: Kosugi Core Park and Grand Tree Musashikosugi
Date: Mid-September (to be confirmed)
Time: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Experience a style of Tahitian tradition at Tahiti Festa 2023. Head to Musashi-Kosugi for scrumptious meals, refreshing pineapple juice, Tahitian beer, conventional music and dance performances, and distinctive clothes. This family-friendly occasion has been held since 2008 and provides a uncommon alternative to benefit from the vibrant island ambiance in Tokyo.
Yosakoi Oedo Soran Festival
Venue: Kiba Park, Koto Ward
Date: To be confirmed
Time: 9:30am – 5:00pm
This September, the colourful Yosakoi Oedo Soran Festival returns to Tokyo, with an estimated 45 Yosakoi dance groups collaborating. Located on the northern occasion sq. of Kiba Park in Koto Ward, this main occasion showcases colourful costumes, energetic music, and fascinating dance performances.
ULTRA JAPAN: Tokyo’s Ultimate Electronic Music Festival
Venue: Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park
Date:: Sep sixteenth – Sep seventeenth 2023
ULTRA JAPAN, a premier digital music pageant organized by Ultra Worldwide, options famend DJs performing reside units throughout numerous levels all through the occasion. With tickets starting from ¥26,000 to ¥40,000 relying on entry ranges or age restrictions, this electrifying expertise can be full of immersive performances that enchantment to all followers of digital music genres.
Phase 1 lineup consists of Afrojack, KSHMR, Martin Garrix, Nicky Romero, Timmy Trumpet, and Zedd.
Getting There: ULTRA JAPAN is held in Tokyo Odaiba ULTRA Park.
Atami Sea Fireworks: A Mesmerizing Pyrotechnic Experience
Venue: Atami Bay
Date: September 18, 2023
Time: 8:20-8:45 pm
September 18 marks an thrilling day for pyrotechnics fans because the historic Atami Sea Fireworks gentle up the sky over Atami Bay. This spectacular year-round fireworks present has captivated audiences since its inception in 1952.
Located in Shizuoka prefecture, the occasion takes benefit of Atami Bay’s distinctive topographic options. The surrounding mountains amplify the sounds of the explosions, making a stadium-like ambiance and enhancing the viewer’s expertise.
Atami’s setting additionally supplies one in all its most iconic options – firework reflections on the bay’s waters. Spectators can witness flickering photographs of over 5,000 fireworks magnificently mirrored on the ocean floor all through the show.
A must-see fruits of this 25-minute pyrotechnic presentation is a panoramic “Niagara Falls” sky sample lighting up the evening skies earlier than concluding the present at 8.45 pm.
Asakusa Samba Carnival: A Colorful Celebration of Music and Dance
Venue: Asakusa Area
Date: September 19, 2023
Time: 10 am onwards.
Experience Brazil’s vibrant spirit at Tokyo’s Asakusa Samba Carnival on September 19, 2023. Attracting over 500,000 spectators yearly, this energetic occasion encompasses a parade of round 5,000 samba dancers from groups throughout Japan, displaying their expertise in gorgeous costumes.
Grab a spot alongside Kaminarimon Dori to benefit from the dazzling parade and immerse your self within the infectious power of samba.
Tokyo Game Show: Gaming Enthusiasts
Venue: Makuhari Messe Convention Center
Date: September 21 (Thursday) – September 24 (Sunday)
Business Day: September 21 (Thu.) 10:00-17:00
September 22 (Fri.) 10:00-17:00
Public Day: September 23 (Sat.) 10:00-17:00
September 24 (Sun.) 10:00-17:00
Time: 9:30am – 5:00pm
The Tokyo Game Show is an annual commerce present for online game builders held at Makuhari Messe conference middle simply outdoors of Tokyo. Scheduled for September 21-24, 2023, it’s one of many world’s largest sport occasions for main firms to showcase their newest merchandise, improvements, and applied sciences.
In addition to new sport releases and demos from numerous builders, guests can discover areas devoted to smartphone video games, digital actuality experiences, sport faculties, and extra.
Chofu City Fireworks Festival
Venue: Tama River, Chofu
Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023
Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
An illuminating celebration awaits you on the Chofu City Fireworks Festival, the place round 10,000 fireworks will gentle up the sky above the Tama River. The opening ceremony begins at 6:10 p.m., adopted by the explosive show beginning at 6:30 p.m. With an anticipated crowd of 350,000 individuals, this occasion guarantees a blinding evening underneath the autumn sky
Setagaya Hachimangu Fall Festival
Venu: Setagaya Hachimangu Shrine, Miyanosaka
Date: Mid-September (to be confirmed)
Time: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The distinctive function of the Setagaya Hachimangu Fall Festival is its ritual sumo competitors, often called hōnōsumo. Taking place on a dohyo in entrance of the shrine, this historic occasion welcomes members from the Tokyo University of Agriculture’s sumo wrestling membership to reveal their abilities. The pageant is historically held over three days, however in 2023 the mikoshi processions, leisure, and meals stalls have been canceled.
Namaste India Festival: The Largest Indian Celebration in Japan
Venue: Yoyogi Park
Date: Sep twenty third – Sep twenty fourth 2023
Tokyo’s largest Indian cultural occasion, Namaste India Festival, provides an immersive expertise protecting Indian delicacies, handicrafts, music, trend, spirituality, and extra. Highlights embody vegetarian cuisines, hand-made garments and jewellery, Henna tattoos, tarot readings, in addition to workshops and lectures on numerous subjects equivalent to Ayurveda and Hinduism.
Admission to the pageant is freed from cost.
Ōkunitama Shrine Autumn Festival
Venue: Ōkunitama Jinja Shrine
Date: September 27 – September 28, 2023
The Ōkunitama Shrine Autumn Festival, colloquially often called the “Chestnut Festival,” celebrates the historic connection between chestnuts and the Musashino area. Dating again to 1738, this pageant options 260 colourful paper lanterns illuminated with hand-drawn photos and chestnuts roasted onsite for guests to get pleasure from. Be certain to reach early within the night to savor the ambiance as evening falls.
With these compelling occasions going down all through Tokyo in September 2023, there’s assured pleasure for everybody, from conventional Shinto celebrations to worldwide cultural exchanges. Get able to discover all that Tokyo has to supply throughout this vibrant month.
The Nikkan Festival: Strengthening Japanese-Korean Relations
Venue: Hibiya Park
Date: Late Sep 2023
Celebrating the bond between Japan and Korea, the Nikkan Festival returns to Hibiya Park in late September for a two-day cultural alternate. The pageant will function conventional and up to date stage acts, together with widespread Okay-pop performances, taekwondo shows, cultural dances, and singing.
Experience Diverse Cuisines
Numerous meals stalls will serve genuine Korean and Japanese dishes. Visitors can take pleasure in numerous culinary delights from each nations whereas additionally studying about their shared historical past.
Getting There: Hibiya Park might be accessed inside 5 minutes on foot from Harajuku Station, served by the JR Yamanote Line. Other prepare stations in shut strolling distance embody Meijijingumae Statio.
China Festival: Celebrating 50 Years of Sino-Japanese Relations
Venue: Yoyogi Park
Date: Late Sep 2023
Aiming to advertise concord between China and Japan, the China Festival at Yoyogi Park consists of round 80 cubicles showcasing numerous Chinese delicacies, cultural data, and numerous conventional performances all through the two-day occasion.
Admission to the pageant is free.
Nikkan Kōryu Festival
Venue: Hibiya Park
Date: Late-September (to be confirmed)
The Nikkan Kōryu Festival, often known as the Japan-Korea Exchange Festival, is a cultural occasion held concurrently in Tokyo and Seoul. Located at Hibiya Park in central Tokyo, the pageant options Korean meals merchandise, tae kwon do shows, conventional dance performances, music shows, and reside Okay-pop acts.
In conclusion, September 2023 guarantees a month of vibrant occasions in Tokyo that cater to a variety of pursuits. From witnessing the normal sumo tournaments to having fun with beautiful fireworks shows at Atami Sea Fireworks, gaming fans attending the Tokyo Game Show, or dancing alongside on the Asakusa Samba Carnival, there’s something for everybody to expertise and revel in.
The metropolis will present quite a few alternatives for each vacationers and locals to immerse themselves in distinctive cultural experiences originating from totally different elements of the world.