As for the month of November, the weather is finally getting good! Typhoon season will finally be behind us (this year was very long, from the end of August until the end of October). November through May is truly the best time to visit Japan. That’s why once the weather gets good the events are full-on! From November 3rd through the 23rd, there are events going on daily in Suginami, Tokyo! There is the outdoor art exhibition Trolls in the Park, the classical music event Ogikubo Music Festival, the family fun Suginami Festa, the barhopping event Asagaya Nomiya Festival, the tea-walk event Nishiogi Chasampo, as well as the fall foliage illumination at Otaguro Park starting at the end of the month on the 27th. If you’re around in November, please look into these events and find the ones you are interested in!

Suginami, Tokyo has more events in autumn than any other season. October features two big events that celebrate the culture of Asagaya and Koenji, two distinct areas here that are neighboring stations on the JR Chuo train line. Koenji’s event is Koenji Fest, October 24th and 25th, which celebrates the subculture of Koenji through street music, food, and stage events such as wrestling and dance. Asagaya’s event is Asagaya Jazz Streets, October 30th and 31st, where jazz is celebrated via performances all around the area, both indoors and outside.

In the autumn season in Japan there are many traditional festivals held at Shinto shrines, especially in September and October. In Suginami, there are many great festivals which include performances, special offerings, street food stalls, and even parade-like atmosphere through the streets, carrying portable shrines called “mikoshi.” There are many festivals at Omiya Hachimangu Shrine, and also other shrines such as Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine or Nishi-Takaido Shoan Inari Shrine. Please check them out if you are looking for a unique, cultural experience.

Japanese summer “matsuri” are upon us: it’s time to enjoy summer festivals! Summer in Japan is extremely hot and humid, but the saving grace is the fantastic summer festivals. In Suginami City, Tokyo, we have you covered for both the walk-and-look type of festival with the Asagaya Tanabata Festival, August 7th through 11th, and the pick-a-spot-and-watch type of festival with the Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori Festival, August 29th and 30th. Both events will have lots of food vendors and people decked out in yukata and traditional garb, and are sure to be the highlights of your Tokyo summer visit.