Ueno Event September 2025: Complete Guide to Art Festivals & Traditional Japanese Celebrations
September in Tokyo offers ideal weather for tourism, as the lingering summer heat begins to subside and the climate becomes more comfortable.
Ueno, in particular, is known as Tokyo's cultural district, where art museums, museums, and zoos are concentrated. Visiting Ueno during this time when autumn begins to make its presence felt allows you to thoroughly appreciate Japanese art in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
This time, I'll share carefully selected special events related to art and culture that you can enjoy during this September 2025 Ueno Event season. I'll also introduce tips for fully enjoying Ueno, so please use this as a reference.
September's Annual "Gei-sai" Takes Place in Ueno
Among the events held in Ueno during September, the event I most highly recommend to foreign tourists is Gei-sai.Gei-sai is the school festival organized by Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan's premier art university.
Incidentally, Tokyo University of the Arts is known as Japan's only national comprehensive arts university, having produced numerous renowned artists including painters, musicians, and architects.
At Gei-sai, students attending Tokyo University of the Arts captivate visitors with expressions using both traditional arts and cutting-edge technology.
For foreign tourists, Gei-sai serves as a place to experience Japanese culture firsthand and is guaranteed to create unforgettable memories.
Information:
- Dates: September 5 (Friday) - September 7 (Sunday), 2025
- Venue: Tokyo University of the Arts Ueno Campus, Ueno Park
- Access: About 10 minutes walk from JR "Ueno" Station Park Exit
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.geidai.ac.jp/information/student_activity/geisai
Highlights of September's Featured Event "Gei-sai"
The Main Attraction: "Mikoshi" That Seems Ready to Come to Life
Source:Tokyo Art University
The symbol of Gei-sai is the Mikoshi (portable shrines) that students create with their hearts and souls.The Mikoshi created by Tokyo University of the Arts students, who fuse traditional techniques with innovative ideas, are all unique and possess a lifelike intensity as if they might start moving at any moment.
Mikoshi are created with different themes each year. Depending on the year, various motifs such as animals or fictional characters appear, so I'm already looking forward to seeing what kind of works will appear this year.
The decorations on the Mikoshi and Happi (festival coats) contain the students' attention to detail, so please be sure to observe these artistic works at the venue.
Spectacular Live Performance Carrying the Mikoshi
Source:Tokyo Art University
One of Gei-sai's highlights is the parade where students carry the Mikoshi they created themselves through the streets of Ueno.This parade is not merely a procession, but also a live performance featuring the students' passionate singing, musical performances, and dancing.
The sight of vigorous Mikoshi movements accompanied by students' enthusiastic chants echoing throughout is truly the essence of energetic Japanese festival scenes. This will appear fresh and exciting to foreign tourists experiencing it for the first time.
Students work diligently to prepare their Mikoshi and performances for this day. Please witness firsthand the spectacular performance by carefully selected artists gathered from all over Japan.
"Artwork Exhibitions" Created by Japan's Highest-Level Students
Source:Tokyo Art University
When visiting Gei-sai, please also pay attention to the works by students displayed within the Tokyo University of the Arts campus.
The numerous works that students dedicate themselves to creating daily - including paintings, sculptures, design, crafts, architecture, and music - provide great inspiration to viewers. I can't hide my amazement every year at their professional-level quality.
The students' free thinking and solid technical skills can be called world-class Japanese art. Their creativity-filled works, which will lead the future art world, allow you to feel the "present" of Japanese contemporary art firsthand.
Please take this opportunity to fully enjoy these masterpieces filled with the passionate dedication of Japanese students.
Also Enjoy the Art Event "KOMOGOMO Exhibition" Organized by Tokyo University of the Arts!
Source:Official website
During the period when Gei-sai is held from September 5-7, 2025, be sure to stop by the "KOMOGOMO EXPO" taking place at the fountain plaza in Ueno Park.
KOMOGOMO EXPO is an art event hosted by artists who graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, functioning as a platform for young artists to present their works.
I believe the greatest highlight of KOMOGOMO EXPO is the direct interaction between artists and visitors. Having the opportunity to hear directly from Japanese artists about the thoughts and background behind their creations will be a valuable experience for foreign tourists.
Furthermore, at the venue, it's possible to purchase one-of-a-kind artworks, so I recommend taking home pieces by young Japanese artists as memorable souvenirs from your trip.
Information:
- Dates: September 5 (Fri) - September 7 (Sun), 2025
- Venue: Ueno Onshi Park Fountain Plaza
- Access: About 5 minutes walk from JR "Ueno" Station Park Exit
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.komogomoten.com/
For Enjoying Tokyo University of the Arts Events, I Recommend Visiting Ueno's Famous Restaurants for Lunch
Source:Tabelog
After visiting Ueno and having my senses stimulated by art events, I also look forward to enjoying gourmet food in the streets of Ueno.
Ueno brings together trending restaurants across a wide range of genres, from long-established traditional restaurants to casual dining establishments. Particularly for lunch, why not visit the famous restaurant "Ponta," which is located close to Tokyo University of the Arts?
At Ponta, "tonkatsu" featuring the rich umami and tender texture of pork is the specialty, but the Japanese cuisine utilizing fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients is also exquisite. You can fully savor traditional Japanese flavors.
Moreover, the reason I recommend Ponta to foreign tourists is also for the Japanese aesthetic ambiance you can feel inside the restaurant. Please thoroughly enjoy Japanese cuisine while basking in the lingering atmosphere of the events.
Information:
- Business Hours: Tue-Sun, days before holidays, holidays - Lunch 11:00-14:00 (L.O. 13:45)
Tue-Sat, days before holidays - Dinner 16:30-20:20 (L.O. 19:45)
Sun, holidays - Dinner 16:00-20:20 (L.O. 19:45)
- Closed: Mondays
- Access: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line "Ueno-hirokoji" Station (about 1 minute walk), JR "Ueno" Station (about 10 minute walk)
- Website: https://g608200.gorp.jp/
After Enjoying the Events, Enjoy Bar Hopping in Ueno at Night!
In complete contrast to the daytime art event atmosphere, the nighttime streets of Ueno are illuminated with lanterns and neon lights, creating a nostalgic mood.
To avoid getting confused about "which bar to enter" or "what and how to order" among the many small bars lined up in Ueno, I recommend foreign tourists use the "All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno."
This tour features local guides who will take you to carefully selected bars. Additionally, since all-you-can-drink is included at each establishment, you can enjoy various types of alcoholic beverages.
Take this opportunity to experience firsthand the Ueno nightlife that Japanese people usually enjoy.
- Meeting point: In front of Ueno Object at Ueno Station Hirokoji Exit
- Tour area: Ueno
- Start time: 18:00
Art-Related Events I'm Focusing on That Can Be Enjoyed in Ueno in September
I am paying attention to several art events scheduled to be held in Ueno in September 2025. Exhibitions where you can feel Japanese tradition and galleries where you can discover new aspects of famous artists are must-sees.
Under the comfortable autumn climate, please thoroughly enjoy Japanese art.
Special Exhibition "Edo☆Ōoku"
Source:Official website
Those interested in Japanese culture should visit the special exhibition "Ōoku: Women of Power in Edo Castle" held at Tokyo National Museum in September.
"Ōoku: Women of Power in Edo Castle" is an exhibition themed around the "Ōoku," the residence where the shogun's wives and concubines lived about 400 years ago. While outwardly glamorous with gorgeous costumes and decorations, the exhibition reveals the actual conditions of the Ōoku, which is said to have had a mysterious world of strict discipline and power struggles.
For foreign tourists, everything from the depicted Japanese women's hairstyles, costumes, and accessories will seem fresh and new.
Please take this opportunity to visit the venue and experience the depth of Japanese history that cannot be known through guidebooks or information websites alone.
Information:
- Dates: July 19 (Sat) - September 21 (Sun), 2025
- Venue: Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan
- Access: About 10 minutes walk from JR "Ueno" Station Park Exit
- Admission: General 2,100 yen, University students 1,300 yen, High school students 900 yen
- Website: https://ooku2025.jp/
Van Gogh Exhibition: The Painter's Dream Connected by Family
Source:Official website
I am eagerly anticipating "The Van Gogh's Museum. The Painter's Legacy, the Family Collection, the Ongoing Story" to be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in September. This Ueno event September 2025 will not only display Van Gogh's masterpieces but also explore the bonds between Van Gogh and his family through preserved materials, which is a major highlight.
Van Gogh is said to have been influenced by Japanese Ukiyo-e, and many of his works are housed domestically in Japan. By appreciating this special Van Gogh exhibition in Japan, a country with such deep connections to the artist, even those who have seen Van Gogh's works in their own countries will be able to discover new perspectives.
Please come to the venue and experience what Japan meant to Van Gogh and what Van Gogh means to the Japanese people.
Information:
- Schedule: September 12 (Fri) - December 21 (Sun), 2025
- Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
- Access: About 7 minutes walk from JR "Ueno" Park Exit
- Admission: General 2,300 yen, University/Vocational students 1,300 yen, 65+ years old 1,600 yen
- Website: https://www.tobikan.jp/exhibition/2025_vangogh.html
Special Exhibition "Ice Age Exhibition - The World Humans Saw 40,000 Years Ago"
Source:Lo-Ticket
For those who want an exciting experience in Ueno, I also recommend the special exhibition "ICE AGE – Discover the World 40,000 Years in the Past" to be held at the National Museum of Nature and Science in September. This Ueno event September 2025 is an exhibition that explains how human ancestors survived about 40,000 years ago during the Ice Age and what kind of culture they developed.
You'll definitely be fascinated by the research results derived using the latest technology and the powerful displays. Additionally, "ICE AGE – Discover the World 40,000 Years in the Past" deals with a global theme, making it attractive content of high interest to people from any country or region.
Since you've come to Ueno, Tokyo's art district, please discover new perspectives.
Information:
- Schedule: July 12 (Sat) - October 13 (Mon/Holiday), 2025
- Venue: National Museum of Nature and Science
- Access: 5 minutes walk from JR "Ueno" Park Exit
- Admission: General 2,300 yen, Elementary/Junior/Senior High students 600 yen
- Website: https://hyogakiten.jp/
Don't Miss the "Uenode. Panda Mid-Autumn Festival 2025" at Ueno Park!
Source:PR TIMES
If you're visiting Ueno in September, please also check out the "Uenode. Panda Mid-Autumn Festival 2025" held at Ueno Park. This Ueno event September 2025 is especially recommended for those visiting Japan with children.
This event is a festival themed around pandas, the symbol of Ueno Zoo. Adorable pandas appear in the venue decorations and gourmet food sold at stalls, capturing children's hearts.
I recommend a course where you visit Ueno Zoo to see the pandas first, then stop by this event. After carefully observing real pandas at the zoo and then stepping into the world of the panda festival, the venue decorations will feel even more adorable.
Also, since September days in Tokyo can still be quite hot, visiting the venue in the cooler evening hours will allow you to enjoy it comfortably.
Information:
- Schedule: September 19 (Fri) - September 21 (Sun), 2025
- Venue: Ueno Onshi Park Fountain Plaza
- Access: About 2 minutes walk from JR "Ueno" Park Exit
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://panda-expo.com/
For a Deeper Tokyo Experience, Tours Guided by Locals are Recommended
In addition to experiencing Ueno events September 2025, for foreign tourists who want to enjoy Tokyo nights even more deeply, I recommend using private tours guided by local guides.
Among these, I'm particularly focusing on bar hopping tours held throughout Tokyo. In bar hopping tours, you can visit attractive bars and izakaya that only locals know about—places not found in guidebooks—and enjoy them comfortably.
While local establishments may be appealing, they can sometimes be difficult for foreign tourists to enter. However, when entering such establishments with a local guide, you don't need to worry about language or shop etiquette, allowing you to fully enjoy Japanese nightlife without reservation.
- Meeting point: In front of the black pillar (next to Uniqlo Shinjuku West Exit store)
- Tour area: Around Shinjuku
- Start times: 17:00, 18:00, 18:30, 19:00
