Venue
Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
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Tokyo International Film Festival guide
Japan's major film festival in central Tokyo.
In short
TIFF is Japan's largest film festival, held since 1985 and now based in Hibiya, Yurakucho and Ginza. The 39th edition runs from 26 October to 4 November 2026, with public tickets sold online and many screenings followed by Q&A sessions. The compact venue area makes it easy to see several films a day.
The Tokyo International Film Festival, TIFF for short, is the largest film festival in Japan and one of the main competitive festivals in Asia. It was first held in 1985 and now takes place each autumn in the Hibiya, Yurakucho and Ginza districts of central Tokyo.
The festival moved there from Roppongi in 2021, so its cinemas sit within walking distance of one another and of Tokyo Station. The main competition ends with the Tokyo Grand Prix, and the programme also has strong sections on Asian and Japanese cinema.
The 39th edition runs from 26 October to 4 November 2026. Tickets are sold to the public, and red-carpet events and talks with filmmakers make it an easy festival for visitors to join.
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Key Facts & Stats:
Ends: Thursday, 4 November 2027
Where: Tokyo, Japan
Venue: Hibiya and Yurakucho area
Held: Every year
Type of event: Cultural Events, Arts Festivals, Film Festivals
Nearest airport: Tokyo (NRT) · 1 flight route
Currency: Japanese yen (¥ JPY)
Time zone: UTC+9 (JST), no daylight saving
Language: Japanese
Map
Close to the venue
- Meiji Jingu Attraction · 5.5 km
- Senso-ji Attraction · 5.7 km
- The Peninsula Tokyo Hotel · 110 m
Getting around
Hotels near the venue fill up around the event dates.
When tickets go on sale and how to book
TIFF tickets are released on set dates before the festival.
- Check the schedule
- sales dates are published on the official site.
- Register in advance
- have your ticketing account ready before sales open.
- E-tickets
- keep the QR code on your phone, with a charged battery.
- Arrive early
- late entry may be refused.
Getting around central Tokyo
Central Tokyo is easy to navigate during the festival.
- An IC card such as Suica or PASMO for trains and the metro.
- Walking between venues in Hibiya, Yurakucho and Ginza takes minutes.
- Carry a light jacket for cooler evenings.
- A small umbrella for the occasional autumn shower.
What happens on the day
- Mon 26 October
Opening
Opening ceremony and red carpet.
- 28 to 30 October
TIFFCOM
The industry market runs alongside the festival.
- Throughout
Screenings and Q&As
Public screenings across the Hibiya and Yurakucho cinemas.
- Wed 4 November
Closing
Award ceremony for the Tokyo Grand Prix.
Choosing films and planning your days
The line-up is announced in the weeks before the festival, and ticket sales open shortly after. Because the venues are clustered around Hibiya and Yurakucho, you can fit several screenings into one day and walk between them, with Ginza's restaurants close by.
For first-time visitors, the Asian Future and Japanese cinema sections are a good way into the programme, and screenings with Q&A sessions add a lot. Our Japan travel page has ideas for the rest of the trip.
The festival's history and its move to Hibiya
TIFF was launched in 1985 and alternated years at first before becoming annual. For many years it was centred on Roppongi Hills, until 2021, when it moved to Hibiya, Yurakucho and Ginza.
The festival has grown its focus on Asian cinema alongside its international competition, and TIFFCOM, its market, gives producers and buyers from across the region a place to do business during the same week.
Getting there
Flying in
Haneda Airport is the closest to central Tokyo; Narita is further out, with express trains to Tokyo Station.
By rail
JR Yurakucho Station and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Station are at the heart of the festival area.
On foot
Tokyo Station and Ginza are within walking distance of the main cinemas.
Where to stay during the festival
Hotels around Ginza, Hibiya and Tokyo Station are a short walk from the venues. Cheaper options in areas along the Yamanote Line are a few stops away.
Tokyo
The Peninsula Tokyo5-star hotel
No reviews yet
from$1,100.00/ night
- Internet – Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Swimming pool
4 Rooms available
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Weather and what to pack
Late October and early November in Tokyo are mild. Climate normals for Tokyo give October average highs of about 22°C and lows of about 15°C, cooling in November to highs of around 17°C.
Days are often clear, with occasional rain.
Worth packing
- A light jacket for evenings
- A small umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes
- An IC transport card
- A power bank for e-tickets
Flights to Tokyo for Tokyo International Film Festival
The busiest routes into Tokyo (NRT).
FromTo DAC NRT DhakaTokyo Available airlines1 airline- Biman Bangladesh Airlines
Car hire in Tokyo
Airport transfer to Tokyo International Film Festival
Met at arrivals at Narita International Airport (NRT) and driven door to door to Hibiya and Yurakucho area.
- Narita International Airport (NRT) → Hibiya and Yurakucho area
- 72 km · 65 min
Restaurants and food in Japan
Places to eat in Japan before or after the celebrations.
Nagataya
1F, 1-7-19 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Japan
Cuisine:Hiroshima okonomiyaki
- Dine-in
- Counter seating
Okonomiyaki Mizuno
1-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0071, Japan
Cuisine:OkonomiyakiOsaka
- Dine-in
- Counter seating
Kikunoi Honten
459 Shimokawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0825, Japan
Cuisine:Kyoto kaisekiJapanese
- Dine-in
Narisawa
Minamiaoyama Garden Court, 2-6-15 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Cuisine:InnovativeJapanese
- Dine-in
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Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Booking
Yes. Tickets for public screenings are sold online through the official festival ticketing system before the festival, and popular titles sell out quickly.
General
Since 2021 the festival has been based in the Hibiya, Yurakucho and Ginza area, using several cinemas close together, including TOHO Cinemas Hibiya in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.
It is the top award of the main competition, presented at the closing ceremony together with prizes for direction, acting and other categories.
Most foreign films carry Japanese and English subtitles, and many Japanese films in the programme are shown with English subtitles. Check each listing before you buy.
TIFFCOM is the content market held alongside the festival for buyers and producers. In 2026 it runs from 28 to 30 October and is for registered industry participants.
The opening red carpet usually takes place in the festival area and draws crowds of fans. Viewing arrangements vary by year, so check the official announcements.
Yes. Many screenings are followed by Q&A sessions with directors and cast, interpreted into Japanese or English.
Audiences are quiet and punctual. Arrive before the start, keep your phone off and silent, and stay seated until the lights come up, as many people stay for the credits.
Timing & weather
The first edition was held in 1985. It was held every two years at first and became annual in the early 1990s.
Getting there
Very. Hibiya and Yurakucho stations are in the middle of the festival area, and Tokyo Station is a short walk away.