Sun, Oct 11 – Mon, Oct 12
ICU Festival ICU祭
International Christian University (ICU)
If you are nervous about the language, start here. ICU was founded after the war as a bilingual university, its students switch between Japanese and English all day, and the festival is one of the few with an official English page. Expect a relaxed, international crowd on a campus that is half forest.
- Dates
- Sun, Oct 11 – Mon, Oct 12
- Hours
- 10:00-18:00 (2025)
- Where
- Mitaka Campus
Open in Google Maps ↗ - Nearest station
- Bus from Musashi-Sakai or Mitaka Station (JR Chuo Line), about 15 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
- Japan's bilingual university: classes run in both Japanese and English, and about one in three full-time faculty come from outside Japan.
- Held on the Sunday and Monday of the Sports Day long weekend, early in the season (2025: Oct 12-13).
- A campus in western Tokyo, reached by bus from Musashi-Sakai or Mitaka Station.
Highlights
- The campus is famous for its long cherry avenue; in October you get the forest instead.
- About 12,000 visitors over the two days, so it never feels crowded.
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
- 10:00 Pick up a map at the gate. Do the popular indoor events (exhibitions, workshops, cafes) before the lines grow.
- 11:30 Lunch from the food stalls, ahead of the noon rush.
- 13:00 Watch bands, dance and theatre on the outdoor stages.
- 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.
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.
Stay & tours
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Also on the same dates
Koudaisai 工大祭
The first big university festival of Tokyo's autumn season.
Festival guide →