Inbound & Travel·11 min
Matsuri Launch Party 2026 in Ebisu, Tokyo: 8 November, Tickets and How to Get There
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22 min
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Culture & Arts·Oct 26·264
Shinjuku Festivals Calendar 2026–2027: Hanazono Shrine, Kumano Shrine, the Eisa Festival, Tori-no-ichi and Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku's year turns on Hanazono Shrine's festival in late May and its Rooster fair in November, Kumano Shrine in September and the Eisa parade in July. 2026's remaining dates, a month-by-month table and what is announced for 2027, from official sources.
J-Times Editorial
15 min
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Inbound & Travel·Oct 26·584
Tokyo Festivals and Cultural Events in November 2026: Dates, Places and Official Links
Tokyo in November 2026, with dates checked on organisers' official pages: Tori-no-ichi rake fairs on 7 and 19 Nov, Meiji Jingu on 1 and 3 Nov, Shichi-Go-San, Niinamesai and the ginkgo season.
J-Times Editorial
17 min
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Culture & Arts·Oct 26·110
How to Join a Japanese Festival: Carrying a Mikoshi, Dancing Bon Odori and Helping Out (2026 Guide)
Most Japanese festivals are run by the neighbourhood: mikoshi are carried by members of the local association, and many bon odori circles welcome anyone. What a matsuri means in Shinto, the carriers' rules, what to wear, what it costs and where to find a way in, in Tokyo.
J-Times Editorial
13 min
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Inbound & Travel·Oct 26·81
Why Is Ebisu in Tokyo Named After a Beer? The Neighbourhood's Story and How to Explore It
Ebisu is named after Yebisu beer: a 1901 freight station built to ship it took the beer's name, and the district followed. Dates, the brewery site, the station jingle and how to explore.
J-Times Editorial
23 min
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Life & Philosophy·Oct 26·95
How to Improve Your Speaking Through Language Exchange: Prepare, Practise, Keep Going (2026 Guide)
Language exchange builds speaking when you split time 50/50, use one language at a time, prepare ten phrases and three topics, ask for corrections, then review with shadowing and a phrase notebook. Check progress with CEFR can-do statements.
J-Times Editorial
12 min
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Culture & Arts·Oct 26·110
A Shrine Walk from Shibuya to Ebisu: Konnō Hachimangū, the Wolf Shrine of Miyamasu-zaka and More (2026)
A 2.5 km walk from Shibuya to Ebisu past four shrines: wolf guardians, a 1612 hall, an Edo sumo ground and Ebisu's own shrine. Route, distances and etiquette, as of 2 Oct 2026.
J-Times Editorial
14 min
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Global Relations·Oct 26·76
What Is GCF (Global Community Friends)? The Tokyo Community Connecting Japan's Culture Bearers With the World (2026)
GCF (Global Community Friends) is a Tokyo community linking Japan's culture bearers with the world through meetups, events and language exchange on Matsuri.
J-Times Editorial
12 min
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Inbound & Travel·Oct 26·79
How to Join a Language Exchange in Tokyo: Park Picnics, Café Meetups, Bar Nights and Online (2026 Guide)
Tokyo language exchanges come as park picnics, café meetups, bar nights and online calls. How to pick a good one, stay safe in nightlife districts, and behave on the day (as of 2 Oct 2026).
J-Times Editorial
20 min
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Global Relations·Oct 26·78
Who Was Yoichi Hatta? The Japanese Engineer Behind Taiwan's Wushantou Dam and Chianan Canal
Yoichi Hatta (1886-1942), a Kanazawa-born engineer, built Taiwan's Wushantou Dam and Chianan Canal in 1920-1930 under Japanese rule. Why Taiwan still honours him.
J-Times Editorial