For more than half a century, the Toda Furusato Festival has been one of the highlights of summer in Toda City. Traditionally held in August, the beloved community festival has been a fixture of the city calendar for generations. This year, however, brings one of the biggest changes in the event’s history. The 52nd Toda Furusato Festival is on October 24th and 25th, 2026, marking the first time the festival is on in autumn rather than summer. The event will also be held in conjunction with the 44th Toda City Commerce Festival, creating a larger combined celebration of community, local businesses and hometown pride. Toda City borders Tokyo and is easily reached from central Tokyo on the Saikyo line, so if you are looking for a large community festival near Tokyo this weekend…
Toda Furusato x Commerce and Industry Festival
The Toda Furusato Festival was created to foster connections between residents and encourage pride in the local community. The festival organisers note that despite major changes to the city over the last fifty years, the event has continued to be passed down through generations and enjoyed by residents of all ages.
While visitors can expect many of the traditions that have made the festival popular over the decades, the move to autumn and the partnership with the Commerce Festival create a new format for 2026. By bringing the two events together, visitors can enjoy festival entertainment alongside displays, promotions and activities organised by local businesses and community groups.
What to expect
The two-day event will be spread across the area around Toda City Hall and is expected to feature:
- Food and drink stalls
- Stage performances
- Family-friendly activities
- Community and business booths
- Traditional festival events
- Special programmes organised by local groups
They have released an official pamphlet on the website (linked below) with venue maps, schedules and event information. Organisers note that program content may change depending on weather and operating conditions.
The Reason for the change
The date was shifted to intentionally align with the Toda City Commerce and Industry Festival (Shokosai). By combining both events on the same weekend, the city aims to create a larger collaborative event featuring local industrial products, food markets, and traditional performing arts all at once. But that is not the only reason for the big change. Another reason quoted is due to the intense summer heat and soaring August temperatures of recent years. Organizers were worried about the high medical and safety risks for festival attendees, performers, and staff. Moving it to late October offers a much cooler, safer environment.
Visiting / Living in Tokyo?
If you’re searching for things to do near Tokyo this weekend, the Toda Furusato Festival offers food stalls, local entertainment and community activities within easy reach of the city centre.
Event Information
Event: Toda Furusato Festival 2026 第52回戸田ふるさと祭りand the 44th Toda Commerce and Industry Festival 第44回商工祭
Date: Saturday October 24th and Sunday October 25th, 2026.
Time: from 11 am to 8 pm on the Saturday and from 10 am to 4 pm on the Sunday.
Cost: there is no admission fee, individual attractions may incur charges.
Location: Toda City Hall Parking Lot, Toda Cultural Hall, City Hall Street and Ushiroya Park 戸田市役所駐車場、戸田市文化会館、市役所通り、後谷公園, 1 Chome-18-1 Kamitoda, Toda, Saitama 335-8588. View on Google Maps.
Access
The nearest station is Toda Koen station on the JR Saikyo Line. For the Furusato festival there was usually a free shuttle bus, but no information for that in 2026. Instead, they ask that you use the regular Kokusai Kogyo Bus and get off at Toda Shiyakusho Iriguchi (Toda City Hall entrance). As Toda is located right on Tokyo’s doorstep, the festival is easily accessible for visitors from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and other parts of the capital.
For more upcoming events in Saitama please see the main event category.
Editor’s note: 20261020 99026. A merge of the old Toda Furusato Festival post (50928) and Toda Commerce and Industry Festival Post (62937).
While many people search for Tokyo festivals each autumn, some of the region’s largest community events take place just outside the capital. The Toda Furusato Festival in Toda City, Saitama, is one such event, offering easy access from central Tokyo and attracting visitors from across the greater Tokyo metropolitan area.