OMATSURI Takadanobaba 2026: free international festival in Tokyo

OMATSURI – Takadanobaba International Exchange Festival takes place in Tokyo on Saturday, 3 October 2026, from 11:00 to 16:30 at Toyama Park’s Yakudo no Hiroba in Shinjuku. Entry is free, and Peace Boat says the event is open to people coming alone, with family or with friends.

At the same park, visitors can hear Andean folk music, watch Korean dance, try kendama and step inside a Mongolian ger. Local food stalls and community groups will join the programme, which Peace Boat has organised to help neighbours meet.

OMATSURI Takadanobaba 2026: date, venue and price

• Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
• Time: 11:00–16:30
• Venue: Toyama Park, Yakudo no Hiroba, 3-1-1 Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo
• Entry: Free
• Weather: Cancelled in severe weather

The park is about six minutes on foot from Nishi-Waseda Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line and about ten minutes from JR Takadanobaba Station.

What is on the stage?

The confirmed schedule starts with Kokura Gion taiko drumming at 11:03. Korean dance follows at 12:15, a sumo session at 13:00, Andean folk music from Wiñay at 14:30 and a bubble performance at 15:40. The closing is scheduled for 16:20.

Food and international activities

Peace Boat lists Vietnamese banh mi, Myanmar food, baked goods, grilled pork skewers and other local food options. Visitors can also have their name written in different languages, enter a traditional Mongolian ger, try kendama, browse a flea market and one-box book fair, and meet local NGOs and community groups.

The Japanese programme also lists Filipino weaving, Peruvian crafts and multilingual activities. The organiser warns that parts of the programme may change or be cancelled without notice.

Who should go?

OMATSURI is particularly useful for newcomers who want a social neighbourhood event rather than a conventional attraction. Families, international students, mixed-nationality households and people interested in community life in Shinjuku should all find something relevant.

Before you travel

The event is outdoors and will be cancelled in severe weather. Photography and video will also take place for activity reporting and record-keeping. No advance booking requirement is stated by the organiser.

Babylon checked these details on 1 October 2026 against Peace Boat’s current Japanese and English event pages.

Official sources:
https://peaceboat.org/57140.html
https://peaceboat.org/english/news/oct-3-omatsuri