Fukuro Matsuri is Ikebukuro’s biggest festival, held during the last weekend in September and first weekend in October. This annual festival is commercially sponsored by the Ikebukuro Trade Association and mainly aims to promote tourism. The main event of Fukuro Festival is the oddly named “Let’s Carry the Mikoshi for International Exchange Association,” which involves foreigners carrying the mikoshi (portable shrines) on their shoulders. The idea is to promote Japan’s cultural heritage and involve foreigners in Japanese traditions. The festival also features Japanese drumming, a karate demonstration, and Yosakoi (a Japanese folk dance) dancing in the evening.
September 26–27 and October 3–4
Ikebukuro’s West Square
Nearest station: Ikebukuro
