Sat, Nov 21 – Mon, Nov 23

Komabasai 駒場祭

The University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo's first- and second-years run Komabasai under ginkgo trees that turn gold the same week. Around 500 events, an English visitor page, and a station at the gate, two stops from Shibuya.

✅ Open to everyone🚶 No reservation💴 Bring cash🗣 English info⚠ Dates unconfirmed
Food stalls and crowds under golden ginkgo trees at Komabasai, the University of Tokyo
Photo: XIIIfromTOKYO / CC BY-SA 3.0 / source
Key facts
Dates
Sat, Nov 21 – Mon, Nov 23
Hours
TBC
Where
Komaba Campus
Open in Google Maps ↗
Nearest station
Komaba-Todaimae Station (Keio Inokashira Line), 1 min
Entry
Free
Reservation
Not needed
Payment
Bring cash: most stalls don't take cards
English
English info page available
Official site
Visit official site ↗

Dates not yet confirmed on the official website.

Last updated: Sep 15, 2026

What it is

  • The University of Tokyo's autumn festival, run by first- and second-year students.
  • Over 100,000 visitors and around 500 events in past years.
  • There is an English visitor page.

Highlights

  • Three days over the Labor Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend.
  • Two stops from Shibuya on the Inokashira Line.

Best time to go

General tips that apply to most Tokyo university festivals.

  • Right at opening, usually 10:00: stalls are ready and lines are short.
  • On multi-day festivals, weekdays are the quietest days.
  • Saturday early afternoon is the busiest time almost everywhere.
  • Eat before 11:30 or after 13:30 to skip the lunch rush.

Suggested plan

  1. 10:00 Pick up a map at the gate. Do the popular indoor events (exhibitions, workshops, cafes) before the lines grow.
  2. 11:30 Lunch from the food stalls, ahead of the noon rush.
  3. 13:00 Watch bands, dance and theatre on the outdoor stages.
  4. 15:00 Walk the campus sights, then sort your trash at an eco-station on the way out.

Rules at the festival

  • Ask before photographing students up close.
  • No photos where signs say so.
  • Sort trash at the eco-stations: burnable, plastic, cans, PET bottles.
  • Don't bring your own alcohol. Many festivals ban it; where it is sold, buy only from the official stalls.
  • No smoking and no drones on campus.
  • Only enter rooms that are part of the festival.

Etiquette

Point-and-show phrases

No Japanese needed. Show this screen to a student at the stall.

これください
This one, please
Kore kudasai
いくらですか?
How much is it?
Ikura desu ka?
写真を撮ってもいいですか?
May I take a photo?
Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?
カードは使えますか?
Can I pay by card?
Kaado wa tsukaemasu ka?
ゴミ箱はどこですか?
Where is the trash bin?
Gomibako wa doko desu ka?
入口はどこですか?
Where is the entrance?
Iriguchi wa doko desu ka?
トイレはどこですか?
Where is the restroom?
Toire wa doko desu ka?
おいしい!
Delicious!
Oishii!
ありがとうございます
Thank you
Arigatou gozaimasu

Cash & ATMs

Most 7-Eleven stores have ATMs that accept foreign cards, and many are open 24 hours.

Find 7-Eleven ATMs near the station ↗

The story of this campus

The Red Gate, Yasuda Auditorium and the pond named after a Soseki novel.

Read the campus guide →

Stay & tours

Affiliate links. Booking through them supports this site at no extra cost to you.

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