Events for families
Japan this week, Japan this weekend
Most events in Japan are published only in Japanese. We built this so families have one resource, in English, for what is going on in Japan this week and this weekend.
Updated by Josh Hinshaw
- Updated
- At the beginning of every week
- This list: week of November 9.
- In English
- All in one place
- Each links its official page: the English page if one exists, otherwise the Japanese page.
- Before you go
- Check the official page
- Events change. A late cancellation, such as rain on the day, will not show here, so check first.
Tokyo8 events
to Nov29Showa Kinen Park Yellow and Red Leaves Festival 2026Showa Kinen Park, Tachikawa
Two ginkgo avenues turn gold in a huge park with play areas and room to run.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec20Utagawa Hiroshige: Edo's best angles (special exhibition)Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park
Hiroshige's woodblock views of Edo, the pictures behind many Tokyo sights a family will visit.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov13LittleTwinStars AQUARIUMMaxell Aqua Park Shinagawa
A Christmas season tie-up with the LittleTwinStars characters, with tank displays and a dolphin program.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov12Marunouchi Street Park 2026 WinterMarunouchi Naka-dori and Gyoko-dori
A street park on Naka-dori, and from November 27 a Harry Potter themed Christmas tree and market on Gyoko-dori between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec25Roppongi Hills Keyakizaka Illumination "SNOW & BLUE"Roppongi Keyakizaka-dori
About 400 m of white and blue street lights on Keyakizaka, walkable in a few minutes from the Roppongi Hills Christmas market.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec25Tokyo Christmas Advent (Ueno Park)Ueno Onshi Park, Hakamagoshi Plaza and the Shinobazu Pond area
A free Christmas market in Ueno Park, a few minutes from the zoo and the museums.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec27Turtle exhibit at the Amphibian and Reptile HouseUeno Zoo, West Garden, Amphibian and Reptile House
A small exhibit on how turtles are built and the problems they face.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Apr4Yomiuriland Jewellumination 2026: Growing LightYomiuriland amusement park
An amusement park lit as jewelry, with rides running after dark; the gondola up from the station is part of the fun.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Yokohama3 events
to Nov30Ultraman 60th anniversary: Ultra Multiverse Earth Defense mission at Red Brick WarehouseAround Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (desk: Building 2, 1F)
An outdoor mission game around the Red Brick Warehouse with Ultraman, about 70 minutes on foot.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec25ENOSUI ChristmasEnoshima Aquarium
Christmas tanks, a tall ribbon tree at the entrance, and a dive show where children draw the fish.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Nov14-15Yokohama Night Flowers 2026 (five-minute harbor fireworks)Shinko pier and Osanbashi (launch sites)
Short fireworks over the harbor, about five minutes, easy to fit into an evening with young children.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Kyoto9 events
to Nov29Kaikai YOKAI Festival 2026 at Toei Kyoto Studio ParkToei Kyoto Studio Park (Uzumasa Eigamura)
The samurai film park turned over to a parade of spooky, playful ghosts and monsters, open into the evening.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov13Umekoji Park Autumn Leaves Festival light-upUmekoji Park, Suzaku Garden
A lit garden next to the Kyoto Railway Museum and the aquarium, priced low for children.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec6Nijo Castle Festival 2026 (with evening light-up)Nijo Castle
The castle's autumn festival with an evening light-up, beside a subway exit.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec6Zen and Ghibli exhibition, KyotoKyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Higashiyama Cube
Studio Ghibli films set beside Zen ideas, with an elementary-school price and preschoolers free.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec13Kodai-ji autumn night viewing (light-up)Kodai-ji temple
A lit temple garden and bamboo grove, one of the longest autumn night openings in Kyoto.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec13Ninna-ji autumn leaves sea-of-clouds light-upNinna-ji temple
Mist effects among lit maples; children through high school enter free.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec13To-ji temple grounds light-upTo-ji temple
The five-story pagoda lit and reflected in the pond, close to Kyoto Station.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec29Sagano Romantic Train autumn light-upTorokko Saga to Torokko Kameoka (lit between Torokko Arashiyama and Kameoka)
The open-sided scenic train runs through a lit gorge after dark.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Jan19Children Who Grew Up with Manga: 40 years of manga in Europe (exhibition)Kyoto International Manga Museum, 2F galleries
An exhibition inside the manga museum, whose reading walls children can browse.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Osaka6 events
from Nov13Umeda Sky Building Christmas 2026 (Wonder Square Xmas)Umeda Sky Building, Wonder Square
A free Christmas tree and sound-and-light show at the foot of the Umeda Sky Building.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov13USJ Holiday Kids Free PassUniversal Studios Japan
A child of 4 to 11 enters free with each adult, but only for families living in Japan.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec31Midosuji Illumination 2026 (Osaka Festival of the Lights)Midosuji boulevard, Hanshin-mae crossing to Namba Nishiguchi crossing (about 4 km)
A 4 km lit boulevard you can walk any evening for free, with stations along its whole length.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov13Universal Holiday Wonders (USJ winter season)Universal Studios Japan
The park's holiday season, with its winter food festival over the same dates.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Feb28Expo 70 Stamp RallyExpo Commemorative Park
A stamp rally through the old pavilion sites, built for parents and children to do together.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Apr4Hirakata Park IlluminationHirakata Park
An amusement park lit up after dark, with night rides; the park calendar sets the lighting times.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Nagoya8 events
to Nov22Ghibli Park Autumn Dondoko FestivalGhibli Park (Aichi Expo Memorial Park)
Events across the park, with winter lights on in the Valley of Witches.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Nov23Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens Autumn FestivalHigashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
A daily endangered-species walk rally and keeper talks on weekends; children of junior-high age and under enter free.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Nov23Nagoya Castle Autumn FestivalNagoya Castle grounds
Autumn events in the castle grounds; the main keep is closed to visitors.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Nov3071st Korankei Autumn Leaves FestivalAsuke, Korankei plaza (the gorge itself is always open)
A river gorge of maple trees at its peak in November, a day trip from Nagoya.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov14Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens autumn leaves and light-upHigashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Autumn leaves in the botanical garden next to the zoo, a single ticket for a family day.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec6Make a Christmas Card stamp walkNonhoi Park (Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park)
Children overprint stamps from stations around the park to finish a Christmas card.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Jan25SCMaglev and Railway Park: Tokaido Shinkansen maintenance vehicles exhibitionSCMaglev and Railway Park, 2F
Track-maintenance trains on show inside the railway museum, at no extra charge.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Apr4Laguna Illumination: Carnival of Light and Water (Lagunasia)Laguna Ten Bosch, Lagunasia theme park
A theme-park light show over water, included in the park ticket.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Fukuoka6 events
to Nov22November Grand Sumo Tournament (Fukuoka)Fukuoka Kokusai Center
Fifteen days of sumo in Fukuoka; doors open at 8:45, later on the last three days.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov14Itozu no Mori Autumn Leaves FairItozu no Mori Zoo
A zoo in autumn color with programs around the grounds on fair days.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec25Christmas Market in Hikari no Machi Hakata (Christmas Advent)JR Hakata Station front plaza
A free Christmas market on the plaza in front of Hakata Station, easy to reach on a travel day.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov14Tenjin Christmas Advent (Christmas Advent)Fukuoka City Hall west side Fureai Plaza, Tenjin
A free Christmas market outside Fukuoka City Hall in central Tenjin.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Jan11teamLab Fukuoka Castle Ruins Light Festival (first in 7 years)Maizuru Park, Fukuoka Castle ruins
Interactive lights in the castle ruins that respond when children touch or push them.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Mar8Voyage of the Stars planetarium programFukuoka City Science Museum, Dome Theater
A planetarium adventure for children, with audio in English through a headset.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Hokkaido3 events
Nov11Asahiyama Zoo winter season opensAsahiyama Zoo
The zoo reopens for its winter season.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec25Shrimp and Hermit Crab Christmas PartyNoboribetsu Marine Park Nixe
Red and white shrimp and hermit crabs gathered under a coral tree beside the touch pool.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov11Asahiyama Zoo winter opening to December 29Asahikawa City Asahiyama Zoo
The zoo's short winter day: it opens late and shuts mid-afternoon, so a morning arrival gives the most time.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Tohoku2 events
Nov13-15YOIAKARI SENDAI (night park lights)Aobayama Park
A night walk through Aobayama Park on set evenings.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec27Pokemon x Kogei: Play Visualized (craft exhibition, Tohoku History Museum)Tohoku History Museum, special exhibition room
Twenty craft artists, national treasures among them, make Pokemon in lacquer, metal and ceramics; the last stop of its tour.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Around Tokyo4 events
from Nov14Kegon Falls light-upKegon Falls, Okunikko
One of Japan's great waterfalls lit for ten evenings.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
from Nov13Christmas Aqua WorldAqua World Oarai
A shark-themed Christmas display and a sea lion walk where the animal and trainer hunt for ornaments.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Feb14Ashikaga Flower Park Flower Fantasy 2026-2027 (winter illumination)Ashikaga Flower Park
A whole flower park lit after dark, with a light mural on the hillside and snowmen in the winter scenes.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Feb28Mother IlluminationMother Farm
A farm park lit up on the hillside on weekends and holidays, and daily over the New Year stretch.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Central Japan1 event
to Mar7Tokinosumika Illumination 2026-2027 "Hikari no Sumika" (Gotemba)Gotemba Kogen Tokinosumika
A large illumination at the foot of Mount Fuji, with ticketed areas priced lower for elementary school children.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Around Kansai1 event
to Mar31LIGHT PARKS and Night Safari, Adventure WorldAdventure World
After closing, the animal park lights its contact area and opens a walking night safari.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Chugoku and Shikoku3 events
to Nov10Tsukumogami: when tools become yokai (Miyoshi Mononoke Museum)Yumoto Koichi Memorial Japan Yokai Museum (Miyoshi Mononoke Museum)
A yokai museum show about old household tools that turn into monsters.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Jan17Moon Base planetarium program5-Days Children's Science Center
A planetarium program about living on the Moon, at the city's children's science center.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Feb28Reoma Winter IlluminationNEW Reoma World
An amusement park lit across the grounds, with a lighting moment at the big tree and fireworks on set nights.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Kyushu5 events
Nov14Kyushu's Biggest Fireworks Festival at Huis Ten BoschHuis Ten Bosch
One night of fireworks over the park during the illumination season.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Dec25European Holy Christmas at Huis Ten BoschHuis Ten Bosch
The park's Christmas season, inside the same ticket as the illumination.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Feb25The Starlight Million (Huis Ten Bosch winter illumination)Huis Ten Bosch
The park lights its whole canal town after dark, and children can walk it all evening inside one gate.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Feb28Winter Seafood Talking TankKujukushima Aquarium Umikirara, Pearl Sea Resort
A tank with a phone beside it, where the sea creatures in season tell visitors about themselves.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
to Mar14Izumi crane wintering, Crane Observation CenterIzumi Crane Observation Center
More than ten thousand wintering cranes, watched from an observation center.
Details can change, so check the official page first.
Okinawa1 event
to May23Okinawa Tropical IlluminationSoutheast Botanical Gardens
A botanical garden lit among tropical plants each evening.
Details can change, so check the official page first.