Dates TBA

Ohrinsai 桜凛祭

Gakushuin University

Gakushuin was the school of Japan's nobility and is still where the imperial family studies, yet its wooded campus is one minute from Mejiro Station on the Yamanote Line. The festival is a rare open door onto grounds that are otherwise quiet.

✅ Open to everyone🚶 No reservation💴 Bring cash
Key facts
Dates
Dates TBA
Hours
TBC
Where
Mejiro Campus
Open in Google Maps ↗
Nearest station
Mejiro Station (JR Yamanote Line), 1 min
Entry
Free
Reservation
Not needed
Payment
Bring cash: most stalls don't take cards
English
Mostly Japanese (Google Lens helps)
Official site
Visit official site ↗

Dates not yet confirmed on the official website.

Last updated: Sep 15, 2026

What it is

  • The festival of the university the current Emperor graduated from.
  • Usually around Culture Day (2025: Nov 1-3). 2026 dates are not announced yet.
  • A wooded campus right next to Mejiro Station on the Yamanote Line.

Highlights

  • The campus has seven registered cultural property buildings.

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 ↗

Stay & tours

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