Autumn 2026 dates for Tokyo Game Show, the Ghibli Museum, TIFF, the JLPT and Kanken: ticket sales, deadlines and exam days, verified on official pages 10 Sept 2026.
Autumn plans in Japan can fill up quickly: a day out with friends, a language exam and a museum reservation may all compete for the same weekend. A little preparation helps you choose what matters, keep your spending manageable and avoid confusing an event date with its booking deadline.
This guide brings together a small set of dates checked against organizer websites on 10 September 2026. It is written for students and other residents planning the next few months. Check the linked organizer page again before booking; a listed date does not guarantee that tickets or places remain available.
Dates to put in your calendar
| Plan | Date in Japan | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Game Show public days | 19–21 September 2026 | Choose a public-day ticket and your travel route to Makuhari Messe. |
| Ghibli Museum November ticket release | 10 October, 10:00 JST | The sale date is separate from your selected museum visit. |
| Tokyo International Film Festival | 26 October–4 November 2026 | Check the individual screening, venue and ticket arrangements. |
| December JLPT in Japan | 6 December 2026 | For registered candidates; applications have closed. |
1. Choose the right day for Tokyo Game Show
The public can attend 19–21 September at Makuhari Messe. Public opening hours are 09:30–17:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and 09:30–16:00 on Monday; the organizer notes that entry may start earlier. The preceding business days have different access rules. Use the official Tokyo Game Show website for tickets and visitor guidance.
Before paying, agree on one meeting point with your group and check the return journey. Leave room in your budget for transport, food and anything you decide to buy inside. A clear spending limit is easier to keep than trying to calculate every purchase in a crowded hall.
2. Separate a museum ticket release from your visit
Ghibli Museum normally releases the following month's tickets on the 10th at 10:00 Japan time. That makes 10 September the scheduled release for October visits, and 10 October the release for November visits. Admission is by advance reservation; tickets are not sold at the museum. Start from the museum's official ticket page, which links to the authorized booking options.
Save two calendar entries: one for the ticket release and another for the visit you actually book. Include the entry time in the second entry. If you are planning from outside Japan, set the reminder's time zone to Tokyo before relying on the time shown on your phone.
3. Plan film screenings individually
The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival runs 26 October–4 November in the Hibiya, Yurakucho, Marunouchi and Ginza area. The festival's overall dates do not identify your screening time or confirm availability.
For each film, check the venue, language and subtitle information before buying. Save the booking confirmation somewhere you can reach easily, and avoid arranging two activities so tightly that a queue or train delay makes the second one stressful.
4. Keep exam dates separate from application deadlines
The December JLPT in Japan is on 6 December. JEES has announced that applications are closed and that test vouchers are scheduled to be sent by 20 November. These reminders help people already registered; they are not a new application window. If you are taking the exam outside Japan, use your local organizer's instructions.
For the paper-based Kanken at public venues, the official schedule gives an 18 October test date with applications already closed on 7 September. The next listed application window opens 4 December at 09:00 for the 14 February 2027 test. Keep that opening date separate from the exam itself.
A simple weekly planning routine
- Pick one priority. Decide whether this week is mainly for study, meeting people or a day out.
- Check the source. Open the organizer's page instead of relying only on an old calendar screenshot.
- Record the right type of date. Label reminders as “applications open,” “applications close,” “ticket release” or “attend.”
- Budget for the whole outing. Include the return journey and meals, not just admission.
- Keep a flexible alternative. Choose another activity if tickets sell out or your schedule changes.
For current listings, visit yuzu.help events. Use the budget calculator to think through your monthly spending, and keep permanent booking and study links in the resource directory.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Tokyo Game Show 2026 public days?
The public days are Saturday 19 to Monday 21 September 2026 at Makuhari Messe. Announced hours are 9:30–17:00 on Saturday and Sunday and 9:30–16:00 on Monday, a public holiday. The business days before that have different admission rules.
When do Ghibli Museum tickets go on sale?
General sales open on the 10th of each month at 10:00 JST for visits in the following month. The 10 October sale covers November visits. Tickets are reservation-only and are not sold at the museum.
When is the Tokyo International Film Festival 2026?
The 39th edition runs from Monday 26 October to Wednesday 4 November 2026 in the Hibiya, Yurakucho, Marunouchi and Ginza area. Each screening has its own venue, time and ticket conditions.
When is the December 2026 JLPT in Japan?
Sunday 6 December 2026. Applications are closed; JEES plans to send test vouchers to registered candidates by 20 November. This is not a new application window.
Can I still register for Kanken in autumn 2026?
No. The public-venue paper exam is on 18 October 2026 and applications closed on 7 September. The next application window opens on 4 December at 09:00 JST for the 14 February 2027 exam.
Related on yuzu.help
- Learning Japanese: JLPT roadmap and resources
- Affordable study in Japan 2026: tuition, scholarships and costs
- Travel Japan cheaply: student budget transport hacks
- Student discounts in Japan: the gakuwari guide
Sources checked: 10 September 2026. Times above are Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9). This is an editorial planning guide; yuzu.help does not organize these events or sell their tickets.