ARTE TOKYO 2026 Group Evenings for Agents

The short answer

ARTE TOKYO is a new citywide arts festival run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government from 10 October to 31 December 2026. Explera DMC uses it to give winter groups in Tokyo a stronger evening: a guided walk through one festival area, with illuminations and outdoor art, paired with dinner nearby.

A Tokyo programme in November or December usually has full days and empty evenings. ARTE TOKYO gives agencies something to put in them. It is the first edition of the Tokyo International Arts Festival, it runs from 10 October to 31 December 2026, and most of it happens outdoors after dark. Our Japan team sets out the areas and programmes in its ARTE TOKYO note. This page is for agencies deciding how to sell it.

What Is ARTE TOKYO?

A new festival. 2026 is the first edition. It is organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the festival's executive committee.
No single venue. It links art, theatre, music and illuminations in parks, on the waterfront and in other public spaces.
Three core areas. The waterfront around Odaiba, Hibiya and Marunouchi, and Yoyogi and Shibuya. Each programme sets its own dates.

Tokyo Tower and office towers lit up beyond the water at night.

Which Groups Does It Suit?

Incentive and MICE groups with free evenings after a conference day in central Tokyo.
Repeat Japan clients who have seen the main sights and want a winter reason to return.
Culture-minded leisure groups travelling between November and Christmas, when the illuminations are at their busiest.

How Should Agencies Build the Evening?

One area per evening. The three areas are far apart, so we plan one and pair it with dinner nearby, or with a dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay.
A walk, not a ticket. Most illuminations are outdoors in streets and parks. We plan a guided walk with a coach drop-off and pick-up at each end.
Weeknights for larger groups. Crowds peak on weekend evenings and before Christmas.
Dates checked one by one. Each organiser announces its own programme, so we confirm every date before it goes into a proposal.

Visitors looking at paintings on white gallery walls.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does ARTE TOKYO 2026 run?

From 10 October to 31 December 2026. Each programme within the festival has its own dates, which we confirm before quoting.

Who organises ARTE TOKYO?

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo International Arts Festival Executive Committee. 2026 is the first edition.

Do groups need tickets?

Most of the illuminations and outdoor art can be seen on a guided walk. Some programmes inside the festival may be ticketed, and we check each one when we build the evening.