Tama City, Tokyo will host the "Tama Lantern Festival 2025," a large-scale night market event that will illuminate the autumn nights of Tama New Town with colorful Vietnamese lanterns. The festival is scheduled for October 11 (Saturday) and October 12 (Sunday), 2025. The venue will be adorned with vibrant Vietnamese lanterns, enveloping the entire area in a fantastical glow.
Starting from 1,000 visitors in 2019, this festival has grown significantly, attracting 32,000 attendees last year. This year marks its 7th edition. With the theme "A Gentle Relationship Where Individuals and Places Resonate," the festival introduces new initiatives where participants don't just observe, but actively co-create the festival experience. The event aims to become a citizen-participatory exchange festival where even first-time visitors will feel compelled to return and become more involved.
The festival is expected to create opportunities for people to meet, connect, and spread the charm of the region throughout Tama New Town's nightscape. The event is organized by the "Tama Lantern Festival 2025 Executive Committee" (JS Japan Sogo Jyuseikatu Co., Ltd., Newmachizukurisha Association, and Keio Corporation), with support from Tama City, sponsorship from UR Community Minami-Tama Housing Center and Shintoshi Center Development Co., Ltd., and special cooperation from Vietnam Airlines.
Festival Highlights
The festival will feature 200 lanterns illuminating "J Smile Tama Hakkakudo" in a fantastical display, while "Tama no New Lantern" will add color to the Toyogaoka Kaitori Shopping Street. The main event on October 11 (Saturday) and 12 (Sunday) includes a "Lantern Parade," where local artists and children dressed in handmade luminous costumes will march through the venue alongside a lantern band.
Additionally, the festival offers diverse participatory programs including "New Yoichi," an Asian-style night market featuring vintage clothing, accessories, and art created by local creators; "Roadsho Bookshop," a workshop where participants can write their own stories or read those written by others; and "Tama New Town Mini Walk," a tour that allows visitors to explore the townscape and experience life in Tama New Town.
Food trucks serving Asian cuisine such as banh mi and pho will also be available, allowing visitors to enjoy the night through light, music, art, and gourmet food.
About Tama New Town
Since its establishment in 1971, Tama New Town has been overflowing with news that brings "always NEW to daily life." In recent years, renovations of large housing complexes have been progressing in both hardware and software aspects. According to the latest survey conducted by Tama City, the vacancy rate in the New Town area has decreased significantly from 6.0% (2016) to 4.7% (2024), with an increase in the influx of families in their 20s and 30s. Participatory town-building initiatives led by the younger generation are attracting diverse age groups. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the fantastical nights of this vibrant and bustling Tama New Town's large-scale night market.
Event Details
Tama Lantern Festival 2025
Dates:
- October 11 (Saturday) - October 12 (Sunday), 2025
- 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- (Opening and closing times vary by program)
Vietnamese Lantern Light-up Schedule:
- October 6 (Monday) - October 10 (Friday): 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- October 11 (Saturday) - October 12 (Sunday): 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Location: J Smile Tama Hakkakudo and other venues (5-5 Toyogaoka, Tama City, Tokyo)
Organizers: Tama Lantern Festival 2025 Executive Committee
- JS Japan Sogo Jyuseikatu Co., Ltd.
- Newmachizukurisha Association
- Keio Corporation
Cooperating Organizations:
- Keio Bus Tama Sales Office
- MichiLab LLC (Tama City Youth Council)
- Tama Center District Liaison Council
- Chuo University Niihara Seminar
- Toyogaoka Kaitori Merchants Association
- Toyogaoka Complex Facility
- NekoSuppo provided by Yamato Group
- UR Community
- UR Urban Development Organization
Special Cooperation:
- Namerikawa City
- Namerikawa City Tourism Association
- Namerikawa Vietnamese Lantern Festival Executive Committee
- Vietnam Airlines
Sponsors:
- UR Community Minami-Tama Housing Center
- Shintoshi Center Development Co., Ltd.
Support: Tama City
Access: Please use public transportation as there is no parking available for visitors.
Important: Events may be reduced or canceled in case of severe weather.
For more details about the event and venue map, please visit: https://js-hakkakudo.com/festival2025
Supporting the Festival
The Lantern Festival is organized by residents of Tama New Town, those who grew up there, people connected to the region, and local businesses working together. To continue supporting this event in the future, the organizers are seeking assistance through "Tama City Crowdfunding-style Hometown Tax."
For more information: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/4121
