MISHOP WORLD 2026: free Mitaka international festival guide for Tokyo residents

MISHOP WORLD 2026, the 35th Mitaka International Festival, takes place on Sunday 27 September 2026 from 10:00 to 16:30 at Inokashira Park in western Tokyo. Entry is free, no advance booking is required, and the programme brings together international food, music, dance, crafts, embassy and NGO activities, children’s attractions and multilingual exchange.

For international residents, it is one of the more useful community festivals in Tokyo because it is built around intercultural exchange rather than simply putting international food stalls in one place. The organiser is the Mitaka International Society for HOsPitality (MISHOP), a public-interest foundation that supports international exchange and foreign residents in Mitaka.

MISHOP WORLD 2026 at a glance

Mitaka City confirms the date, times, venue and walk-in format, while the Tokyo Intercultural Portal confirms that participation is free. The official MISHOP WORLD 2026 site should be checked before travelling for any late programme or weather changes.

What can you do at the Mitaka International Festival?

The World Bazaar is the main food-and-drink area, with international dishes and drinks served across the park lawn. There is also a goods area with folk crafts and other international products, plus stands introducing the work of non-profit and community organisations.

The stage programme focuses on music and dance from different countries. MISHOP also runs multicultural workshops and talks with embassies, NPOs and NGOs, giving visitors a more interactive way to learn about different cultures.

One of the most useful areas for newcomers is the MISHOP Station, where visitors can chat in easy Japanese and several languages. That makes the festival particularly suitable for people who have recently moved to Tokyo and want a low-pressure way to meet local and international residents.

Is MISHOP WORLD 2026 good for families?

Yes. The official programme includes a children’s zone with games and activities, including an international quiz and bingo rally. Mitaka City also lists activities such as face painting, ball games and other hands-on attractions.

Because the festival is spread across an outdoor park rather than a single indoor venue, families can move between the stage, food area and children’s activities at their own pace.

How do you get to MISHOP WORLD 2026?

The venue is in the western section of Inokashira Park. The official festival site says it is about a 15-minute walk from either JR Mitaka Station or JR/Keio Kichijoji Station.

The Tokyo Intercultural Portal advises that there is no car parking for the event. Bicycle parking is available in the designated area. For most visitors, train plus walking is the simplest option.

Related: If you are planning more cultural days out in Tokyo, see Babylon’s ARTE TOKYO 2026 guide for international residents.

Why this festival is especially useful for international residents

MISHOP WORLD is not only a sightseeing event. MISHOP’s wider work includes support for foreign residents, language and community activities, and intercultural exchange. The festival brings many of those functions together in a single public event.

That makes it a good choice for newcomers who want to discover community organisations, practise Japanese, meet people from different backgrounds or simply spend a free day in one of Tokyo’s best-known parks.

What should you check before going?

• Check the official festival site on the morning of 27 September if the weather is poor.
• Arrive before 16:00 if international food is a priority, because food sales finish earlier than the festival itself.
• Use public transport; there is no event car park.
• Allow roughly 15 minutes to walk from Mitaka or Kichijoji Station.
• Bring cash as a precaution for smaller stalls, even though payment methods vary by seller.

Official sources

This guide was last verified on 23 September 2026 using the Mitaka City event notice, the MISHOP WORLD 2026 official site and the Tokyo Intercultural Portal.