Date published: 14 October 2026
Blending Edo-period charm with chic Parisian elegance, Kagurazaka is a beloved destination for travelers year-round. But did you know that every October, the neighborhood undergoes a whimsical feline transformation? On Sunday, October 11, 2026, the Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival (化け猫フェスティバル)—an annual autumn highlight celebrated since 2009—returns in full swing!
For one day only, Kagurazaka breaks down all barriers of age, nationality, and background. Step out of your human identity, paint on some whiskers, pop on cat ears, and roam the historic cobblestone alleys as a free-spirited feline! Whether you’re looking for family fun with the kids or an unforgettable dress-up adventure with friends, this surreal city festival packed with cats will keep your camera clicking all day. Follow along to find out how to become an official citizen of this one-day cat kingdom!
(Main photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
Kagurazaka before and during the Bakeneko Festival (Photo credit: Timothy Sullivan/LIVE JAPAN)
Known for its historic cobblestone alleys, traditional geisha culture, and chic French cafes, Kagurazaka is typically a peaceful, elegant neighborhood to stroll through on a weekend morning or evening.
But when the annual Bakeneko Festival takes over, those very same streets undergo an unbelievable transformation—bursting to life with a joyful sea of thousands of costumed cat lovers, street performances, and a fun, welcoming energy! So let’s shed our human identity, don cat ears, and join this lively feline costume parade and street festival!
Step 1: Getting Your “Cat Kingdom Residence Permit” (Passports & Transformation Guide)
Passport badge. (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
While the Bakeneko Festival costs nothing to watch, if you wish to don a costume (or mask) and join the festivities, you’ll first need to pick up a “Nekomachi Passport Badge” (猫まち旅券バッジ), which serves as your festival passport! Perks and privileges vary depending on the badge tier you choose.
- Citizen Cat (500 yen): The standard badge, granting entry to the Bakeneko Parade.
- Noble Cat (1,000 yen): Grants access to a dedicated parade lane and includes a 100-yen festival discount voucher.
- Royal Cat (5,000 yen, limited to 50 badges): Available exclusively at headquarters. Perks include access to the front of the parade line, dressing room access, luggage storage, a 500-yen festival voucher, an exclusive photo shoot, and staff showering you with compliments throughout the day!
Throne reserved for Royal Cats (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
The coveted Royal Cat badge even comes with an exclusive throne for commemorative photos!
On-Site Cat Transformation Services
Don’t worry if you didn’t bring a costume—professional cat face painting is available at festival headquarters. Face painting for children is just 500 yen (limited to 100 numbered tickets), while full makeup for adults is 2,000 yen (limited to 50 numbered tickets).
Editor’s Tip: Face painting is extremely popular! Numbered tickets are distributed starting at 9:30 AM. Once you get your ticket, simply scan the QR code to track your queue status online—no need to stand in line all morning.
For a traditional Japanese flair, “Fukuneko-do” offers kimono rentals for 3,300 yen (strictly limited to 12 participants, so book early!). Festival HQ also provides paid dressing rooms (500 yen) and luggage storage (300 yen), allowing you to stroll hands-free with ease.
Location: Kagurazaka Elderly Welfare Facility (高齢者福祉施設 神楽坂)
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Elderly Welfare Facility Kagurazaka by Misasakai
高齢者福祉施設 神楽坂 三篠会
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Address
104 Yaraicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0805
View Map
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Address
Free to Join! Goshuin Stamp Rally
You don’t have to dress up to join the fun! Pick up a stamp rally booklet at the information booth and explore the area. There are 10 stamp checkpoints in total; collect at least 7 stamps to claim a commemorative participation prize (sticker).
Follow the map around the neighborhood to discover participating shops, hunt for cat-themed merchandise, and soak in the charming historic vibes of Kagurazaka’s winding backstreets!
Main Event Highlights: Must-See Performances & Street Spectacles
Let’s see what makes this feline costume spectacle so exciting!
Highlight 1: The Bakeneko Parades
The lively parade in full swing (Photo credit: Timothy Sullivan/LIVE JAPAN)
The undisputed centerpiece of the day is the grand Bakeneko Parade! This year’s parade features four separate rounds, each spotlighting a different musical theme: an upbeat brass band kicks things off at 12:20 PM, followed by an energetic samba beat at 2:30 PM, exotic early European instruments at 3:20 PM, and an electrifying grand finale at 4:30 PM. Pick your favorite rhythm and groove along the streets of Kagurazaka!
A charming cat mikoshi (portable shrine) (Photo credit: Timothy Sullivan/LIVE JAPAN)
The atmosphere is buzzing! Anyone who holds a passport badge (regardless of tier) and dresses up like a cat can hop right into the parade.
Locals and international visitors of all ages march side by side dressed in feline finery. Spectators lining the street cheer warmly, high-fiving the cats or trading playful “meows”—met with equally spirited responses from the marchers. It’s lively, heartwarming, and irresistibly cute!
An elaborate costume full of Japanese fantasy charm (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
Outfits in the procession range from casual touches—like simple cat ears and whiskered face paint—to intricately crafted, head-to-toe fantasy ensembles.
No matter how simple or elaborate your look, everyone is welcome to dive into the parade and share in the fun!
Highlight 2: Don’t Miss the Dramatic “Oni Kenbai” (Nembutsu Sword Dance)
The Oni Kenbai dance troupe (Photo credit: Timothy Sullivan/LIVE JAPAN)
At noon, 2 PM, and 4:20 PM, catch captivating performances of the intangible cultural folk heritage “Oni Kenbai” (Nembutsu Sword Dance) in front of Kagurazaka’s iconic Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple and in Shirogane Park.
Accompanied by live traditional Japanese taiko drums and flutes, masked performers execute dynamic choreography while wielding katana blades and roof tiles.
Performance snippet at Shirogane Park (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
As the performance unfolds, dancers switch props, reaching a thrilling climax where performers deftly roll across the ground while gripping multiple swords simultaneously. Check out the video for even more breathtaking moments!
Highlight 3: Where Tradition Meets Street Art
Beyond the main parade and dances, street performers line the slopes of Kagurazaka, showcasing everything from living statues to acrobatic stunts. Don’t forget to cheer and give them a round of applause when you pass by!
And There’s More: The Feline Awa Odori (“Anya Odori”)
Between 1:30 PM and 2 Pm, acclaimed dancer and choreographer Yoshihiro Fujita leads the “Anya Odori”—a cat-themed twist on the traditional Awa Odori dance. Best of all, no dance background is required! Any “cat” can jump right into the circle and dance along for pure, whimsical fun.
Cat Gathering Spot: Markets, Souvenirs & Limited-Edition Treats
Limited-edition cat-shaped sweets (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
While waiting for the shows, be sure to browse the neighborhood! The station-front information desk sells adorable paw-shaped sweets, and participating local shops offer a wide variety of feline merchandise. Want to dial up your festive look? Pick up cat-ear headbands or traditional cat masks along the way!
Charming feline details (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
Local boutiques and cafes around Kagurazaka roll out delightful cat-themed goods for the occasion—keep your eyes peeled as you explore!
Joyful Moments with the Participants!
“Where are you from?” (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
What surprised us most was the incredible international presence—it felt like stepping straight into a global carnival! Travelers from North America and Europe were out in full force, and their enthusiasm for feline dress-up was downright contagious.
Festivalgoers having a blast (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
Exploring Kagurazaka throughout the day, we spotted so many creatively dressed cats. Whenever we asked for a photo, everyone happily struck a pose!
Festivalgoers having a blast (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
Today, anyone wearing a cat accessory is an official part of the celebration!
Real cats joined the fun too! (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
How could a feline festival be complete without actual cats? You’ll occasionally spot visitors bringing along their pet cats in carriers or strollers, instantly drawing admiring smiles and cameras.
A quick reminder: even though these festival felines are remarkably calm, always ask the owner’s permission before petting them!
Practical Guidelines & Etiquette
A kaleidoscope of creative cat costumes! (Photo credit: Alice Lee/LIVE JAPAN)
To ensure a smooth, polite, and pur-fect experience for everyone, be sure to keep these “Rules of the Cat Kingdom” in mind before you go:
- Participation Requirements: You must wear a cat-themed costume or accessory, or at least carry a “cat spirit” at heart! Because media and visitors actively photograph the event, participation implies consent to public photography and portrait usage.
- Changing Clothes Etiquette (Crucial!): Changing into costumes or applying makeup in train stations, public restrooms, or local shops is strictly prohibited and staff will intervene. Please arrive in costume from home or utilize the paid dressing rooms provided by the organizers.
- Bringing Pets: If you bring your furry companion along, pets must remain inside a stroller or carrier at all times. For safety reasons, walking pets on a leash on the ground is strictly forbidden.
- Payment Methods: On-site stalls accept only Cash and PayPay. Credit cards and IC transportation cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.) are NOT accepted, so please bring sufficient Japanese yen in cash.
- Waste & Environment: Please take all trash home with you or dispose of it using the dedicated trash bags provided at headquarters. Help keep Kagurazaka spotless!
Event Details & Access
Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival (Bakeneko Festival)
・Event Date: October 11, 2026, 10 AM–5 PM (Tentatively scheduled for October 10 in 2027)
・Venue: Kagurazaka Dori area and Shirogane Park (Headquarters: Kagurazaka Elderly Welfare Facility)
・Nearest Stations:
– JR Sobu Line: JR Iidabashi Station (West Exit, approx. 3-min walk)
– Tokyo Metro Tozai / Yurakucho / Namboku Lines: Iidabashi Station (Exit B3)
– Toei Oedo Line: Ushigome-Kagurazaka Station (approx. 1-min walk)
・Official Website: https://bakeneko.oops.jp/
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Address
3, Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0825
View Map
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Nearest Station
Iidabashi Station （JR Chuo Main Line / Tokyo Metro Tozai Line / Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line / Tokyo Metro Namboku Line / Toei Oedo Line）
1 minute on foot
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Phone Number
03-3209-1111
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Address
The Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival is far more than just a typical dress-up gathering—it is an enchanting city festival where transforming into a cat brings people together and weaves warm memories into this storied historic neighborhood. If you find yourself in Tokyo in mid-October, don’t miss this one-of-a-kind chance to leave your human worries behind and meow to your heart’s content
Written by:
A native of Taiwan, she has lived in Japan for 10 years and holds JLPT N1 certification. She enjoys reading Japanese novels and has experience as a guide at a tourist information center, as well as writing for travel media. She enjoys visiting shrines and once walked an hour each way for a single visit. She also explores sites tied to Sengoku period warlords and enjoys hiking. Interested in lesser-known destinations, she is dedicated to uncovering hidden spots. Her travels span many regions, and she enjoys bringing home local souvenirs to taste and share with friends and family.
*This information is from the time of this article’s publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
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