If you like trains, or just want a free weekend outing with the kids, mark October 10 and 11 in your calendar. The 33rd Railway Festival (第33回 鉄道フェスティバル) takes over two open-air plazas in Odaiba for two days, with booths from railway operators and sponsor companies. Admission costs nothing.
Below you’ll find the key details, what the event is about, how to get there, and a few things worth checking on the official page before you head out.
Event details at a glance
| Event | 33rd Railway Festival |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday, October 10 – Sunday, October 11, 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00–17:00 |
| Venue | Odaiba East Promenade (お台場イーストプロムナード) Stone and Light Plaza (石と光の広場) Flower Plaza (花の広場) |
| Address | Ariake 3, Koto-ku, Tokyo |
| Admission | Free |
| Organizer | Railway Day Executive Committee (鉄道の日 実行委員会) |
Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) press release
What you can do at the festival
The festival is built around booths run by railway companies, sponsors and other participants. Across the two plazas, the plan includes:
- Railway goods for sale, including original merchandise
- Exhibits from participating organizations
- Special programs and activities
It’s aimed at a wide crowd. Serious rail fans come for the goods, while families can simply wander the booths since there’s no ticket to buy at the gate.
Why it happens in October: Railway Day
Japan’s first railway line opened between Shimbashi and Yokohama on October 14, 1872. To mark that date, Railway Day (鉄道の日) was established in 1994.
Around this date, the organizing committee holds events across the country to get people more interested in railways. The Railway Festival is one of the main ones, and this year marks its 33rd edition.
Getting there: nearest stations
The venue sits in the Ariake area, right by Tokyo Big Sight, so three stations are within a short walk.
| Station / Line | Walk |
|---|---|
| Kokusai-Tenjijo Station (国際展示場駅) Rinkai Line | 1 min |
| Ariake Station (有明駅) Yurikamome | 3 min |
| Tokyo Big Sight Station (東京ビッグサイト駅) Yurikamome | 5 min |
Coming from further away? A rail-themed weekend is a good excuse to ride more trains. The Aki no Norihodai Pass for unlimited JR local trains and the discounted Tokudane Shinkansen fares are both worth a look before you book. If you ride JR East often, the JRE BANK guide explains its Shinkansen discount tickets.
Before you go
- Check the official page close to the date. Booth lineups, programs and any changes are posted by the organizers.
- Payment at booths: Accepted payment methods for goods aren’t stated in the official summary. Confirm on the official page or at each booth.
- It’s outdoors. Both plazas are open-air spaces, so plan for the weather that day.
- Make a day of it. Odaiba has plenty to explore, and on the way home a public bath is a cheap way to unwind. See the Tokyo sento half-price coupon.
Official information: MLIT Railway Day page / MLIT press release
FAQ
- Q. When is the Railway Festival 2026?
- It runs on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 10:00 to 17:00 on both days.
- Q. Is the Railway Festival free?
- Yes. Admission is free.
- Q. Where is the venue?
- The Stone and Light Plaza and the Flower Plaza on Odaiba East Promenade, Ariake 3, Koto-ku, Tokyo.
- Q. What is the nearest station?
- Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on the Rinkai Line is a 1-minute walk. Ariake Station on the Yurikamome is 3 minutes away, and Tokyo Big Sight Station on the Yurikamome is 5 minutes away.
- Q. What is there to see and do?
- Railway operators and sponsor companies run booths with railway goods and original merchandise for sale, exhibits, and special programs. Check the official page for the exhibitor lineup.
- Q. Who organizes the event?
- The Railway Day Executive Committee, which holds events nationwide around Railway Day on October 14.