๐ 6 University Festivals to Visit This November in Tokyo, Nagoya & Kyoto! ๐ขโจ
Good news for festival lovers in Japan! ๐โจ
November is school festival season! ๐ Every autumn, universities open their campuses to the public for gakuensai (ๅญฆๅ็ฅญ), student-run festivals packed with food stalls, live performances, and creative exhibits. ๐ช
Students plan and run almost everything, so each festival has its own personality. For foreign residents, itโs also an easy and fun way to experience Japanese campus life.
Here are 6 university festivals in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Kyoto worth checking out this November! ๐ข๐ถ
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๐ What Is a Gakuensai (ๅญฆๅ็ฅญ)?
Gakuensai, often called daigakusai (ๅคงๅญฆ็ฅญ) at universities, is an annual festival organized by students. Visitors can enjoy:
๐ก Food stalls (ๆจกๆฌๅบ, mogiten) serving Japanese street food and more
๐ค Live performances, from music and dance to comedy and special guests
๐จ Exhibitions of student artwork, research, and projects
๐ฎ Games, workshops, and cultural activities
Most university festivals take place in October and November, often on weekends or national holidays. The best part? Many are open to everyone, even if youโre not a student there!
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๐ November 2026 Festival Schedule
๐ง Nov 14โ15: Kodai-sai โ Nagoya Institute of Technology (Nagoya)
๐ Nov 19โ23: Gaigosai โ Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Tokyo)
๐ค Nov 20โ22: Shinjuku Festival โ Kogakuin University (Tokyo)
๐ Nov 20โ23: Mitasai โ Keio University (Tokyo)
๐ Nov 20โ23: November Festival โ Kyoto University (Kyoto)
๐ Nov 21โ23: Komabasai โ The University of Tokyo (Tokyo)
โ ๏ธ Schedules and programs may change, so check each official website before visiting.
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1๏ธโฃ ๐ง Kodai-sai (ๅทฅๅคง็ฅญ) โ Nagoya Institute of Technology (Nagoya)
If you enjoy science, technology, and hands-on fun, Kodai-sai is a great pick! ๐ฌ
The 64th Kodai-sai mixes student creativity and research with games and entertainment. Its 2026 theme is โKousaiโ (่นๅฝฉ), written with the characters for โrainbowโ and โcolor.โ
โจ Highlights
๐ฌ Lab exhibits showing what the universityโs research teams are working on
๐๏ธ Voice actor talk show on November 14 (2:00 โ 3:00 PM)
๐งฉ Escape rooms, karaoke, party games, and a childrenโs area
๐ป ZIP-FM radio stage on November 15, plus evening stage events on both days
๐ Event Information
๐ Dates: November 14 (Sat) โ 15 (Sun), 2026
๐ Hours: 10:00 AM โ 6:30 PM (Nov 14), 10:00 AM โ 6:10 PM (Nov 15)
๐๏ธ Admission: No reservation needed (some events require numbered tickets)
๐ Location: Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya
๐ Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Tsurumai Station (JR Chuo Line)
โ ๏ธ Thereโs no visitor parking on campus, so please use public transport.
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2๏ธโฃ ๐ Gaigosai (ๅค่ช็ฅญ) โ Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Tokyo)
Want to experience different cultures without leaving Japan? ๐
At Gaigosai, students of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) celebrate the languages and cultures they study. You might even find a dish from your home country! ๐
โจ Highlights
๐ International food stalls (ๆ็ๅบ): first-year students serve dishes from around 30 countries and regions
๐ญ Foreign language plays (่ชๅ, gogeki): students perform in the languages they study, with subtitles they make themselves. This tradition dates back to 1900!
๐ Cultural experiences: traditional costumes, flag painting, and picture-book readings in foreign languages
๐ Event Information
๐ Dates: November 19 (Thu) โ 23 (Mon, holiday), 2026
๐ Hours: 10:00 AM โ 6:00 PM
๐๏ธ Admission: Free entry, no reservation needed
๐ Location: TUFS Fuchu Campus, 3-11-1 Asahicho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo
๐ Access: A short walk from Tama Station (Seibu Tamagawa Line)
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3๏ธโฃ ๐ค Shinjuku Festival (ๆฐๅฎฟ็ฅญ) โ Kogakuin University (Tokyo)
Love anime, music, and live entertainment? This university festival might be perfect for you! ๐ถโจ
The 77th Shinjuku Festival takes place at Kogakuin University, located in the heart of Shinjuku, just a short walk from Shinjuku Station.
With its 2026 theme, โThe Industrial Revolution,โ the festival brings together student creativity, live entertainment, technology, and interactive activities.
From popular anime voice actors and live concerts to a special Hatsune Miku performance, there is plenty to enjoy!
โจ Highlights
๐๏ธ Voice Actor Talk Show (Nov 21, 1:00 PM): Meet popular voice actors Kensho Ono (ๅฐ้่ณข็ซ ), known for Kuroko's Basketball, and Kazuki Ura (ๆตฆๅๅธ), the voice of Yoichi Isagi in Blue Lock. Free, but advance reservations are required.
๐ค Hatsune Miku 3D Virtual Live (Nov 21, 10:00โ10:30 AM): Enjoy a special fan-made 3D Hatsune Miku performance created by university students, featuring original songs!
๐ธ wacci Live Concert (Nov 22, 12:00 PM): Enjoy a live performance by the popular five-member Japanese band behind hits such as Koi Daro (ๆใ ใ) and Betsu no Hito no Kanojo ni Natta yo (ๅฅใฎไบบใฎๅฝผๅฅณใซใชใฃใใ). Free, but advance reservations are required.
๐ Japanese Comedy Live (Nov 20, 1:00 PM): Enjoy comedy performances by Japanese comedy duos Zero Karan and Chonmage Ramen.
๐ฎ JUKU CUP Gaming Competition (Nov 20โ22): Watch exciting gaming competitions featuring special guests, including popular Mario Kart content creators.
๐ Festival Stamp Rally (Nov 20โ22): Explore different areas of the campus, collect stamps, and exchange them for prizes!
๐ Event Information
๐ Dates: November 20 (Fri) โ 22 (Sun), 2026
๐ Hours: Vary by event; check the official timetable
๐๏ธ Admission: Free general entry, no reservation required (some special events require advance reservations or numbered tickets)
๐ Location: Kogakuin University Shinjuku Campus, 1-24-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
๐ Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Station (West Exit), or 3 minutes from Tochomae Station (Toei Oedo Line)
๐ก Useful Tip: Planning to see the voice actor talk show or wacci concert? Check ticket availability and reservation details on the official website before visiting. Even without special event tickets, you can still enjoy the festival atmosphere, student performances, food stalls, and interactive activities!
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4๏ธโฃ ๐ Mitasai (ไธ็ฐ็ฅญ) โ Keio University (Tokyo)
Looking for one of Japanโs biggest university festivals? ๐
Mitasai takes place at Keio University, one of Japanโs most prestigious private universities, on its historic Mita Campus in central Tokyo. Known as one of the largest university festivals in Japan, it fills the campus with stage shows, food, and student projects.
The 2026 theme, โAno Hi ni Naru Hiโ (ใใฎๆฅใซใชใๆฅใ), expresses the hope of creating a day visitors will remember fondly.
โจ Highlights
๐ค Stage performances: music, dance, and entertainment by student groups
๐ข Food stalls run by student groups
๐ Academic presentations of student research and seminar projects
๐ญ Special lectures and talks featuring invited guests
๐ Event Information
๐ Dates: November 20 (Fri) โ 23 (Mon, holiday), 2026
๐ Hours: 10:00 AM โ 6:00 PM
๐๏ธ Admission: Check the official website for entry details and special event tickets
๐ Location: Keio University Mita Campus, 2-15-45 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo
๐ Access: About 8 minutes on foot from JR Tamachi Station, or 7 minutes from Mita Station (Toei Asakusa/Mita Lines)
๐ก With so many events across campus, check the map and timetable before you go.
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5๏ธโฃ ๐ November Festival (11ๆ็ฅญ) โ Kyoto University (Kyoto)
Known as โNF,โ Kyoto Universityโs November Festival is one of the largest university festivals in the Kansai region, attracting more than 100,000 visitors every year. Hundreds of student projects fill the Yoshida Campus.
Kyoto University is famous for its free-spirited student culture. For 2026, students even voted for "ใใใก" (unchi), meaning โpoop,โ as the official theme! ๐
โจ Highlights
๐ NF Special Lectures and KU Talks by professors, researchers, and alumni
๐ธ Special Live at the Omatsuri-park stage on November 21 (from 5:00 PM)
๐๏ธ Flea market, fruit market, and a secondhand books & records market
๐ฏ๏ธ Candle Night on November 20 and a bonfire finale on November 23 ๐ฅ
๐ Event Information
๐ Dates: November 20 (Fri) โ 23 (Mon, holiday), 2026
๐ Hours: 9:40 AM โ 6:00 PM (Nov 20โ22), 9:40 AM โ 8:00 PM (Nov 23). General projects run 10:00 AM โ 6:00 PM.
๐๏ธ Admission: Open to visitors of all ages
๐ Location: Kyoto University Yoshida Campus, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
๐ Access: Kyoto City Bus to Hyakumanben or Kyodai Seimon-mae, or about 20 minutes on foot from Demachiyanagi Station (Keihan Line)
๐ก The official website has an English version with a map, event search, and timetable. You can also pick up the free โN-Freeโ leaflet at the venue for a map and stamp rally card.
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6๏ธโฃ ๐ Komabasai (้งๅ ด็ฅญ) โ The University of Tokyo (Tokyo)
Ever wanted to explore one of Japanโs most famous universities? ๐
Komabasai is the autumn festival of the University of Tokyo (Todai), held at Komaba I Campus. Last year, it welcomed about 80,000 visitors and featured more than 500 student projects, many run by first- and second-year students.
The ginkgo trees on campus are often turning golden around this time, so itโs a lovely spot for autumn colors too. ๐ The 2026 theme is โMahorobaโ (ใพใปใใฐ), an old Japanese word for a wonderful, beautiful place.
โจ Highlights
๐ก Food stalls run by student class groups
๐ค Stage performances: music, dance, and more by student groups
๐ฌ Academic and creative exhibitions by University of Tokyo students
๐ฎ Games and interactive activities organized by student groups
๐ Event Information
๐ Dates: November 21 (Sat) โ 23 (Mon, holiday), 2026
๐ Hours: 9:00 AM โ 6:00 PM (until 5:00 PM on Nov 23)
๐๏ธ Admission: Free, no reservation needed for general entry (some events may require tickets)
๐ Location: The University of Tokyo, Komaba I Campus, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
๐ Access: About 1 minute on foot from Komaba-todaimae Station (Keio Inokashira Line), just two stops (about 3 minutes) from Shibuya
๐ก The English website includes a campus map and stage timetable.
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๐ก Tips for Visiting a University Festival
๐ด Bring cash and small change. Many student food stalls are cash-only.
๐บ๏ธ Check the official website. Maps and timetables help you catch the events you want to see.
๐๏ธ Book special events early. Guest talk shows and concerts often need reservations or numbered tickets, and popular ones fill up fast.
โฐ Arrive early. Weekends and holidays get crowded.
๐ญ Follow campus rules on smoking, alcohol, and pets.
โป๏ธ Sort your trash at the designated garbage stations.
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Whether youโre coming for the food, the performances, or a peek at Japanese campus life, thereโs a festival for everyone this November. Enjoy school festival season and make some unforgettable autumn memories! ๐๐
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