Tokyo Craftsmen Bring Edo Skills Into Modern Marunouchi at TOKYO KOUGEI PARK

Event dates: 2026-10-23 – 2026-10-27

Where: KITTE

Genre: Traditional Crafts

TOKYO KOUGEI PARK in Autumn runs October 23–27, 2026, at KITTE in Marunouchi (1F Atrium and B1F Tokyo City i Performance Zone), bringing Edo-era crafts like Tokyo Umbrella, Edo Mounting, and Tokyo Shamisen into live artisan demonstrations and hands-on experiences inside one of Tokyo's major modern business districts.

Article

TOKYO KOUGEI PARK in Autumn, running October 23 through 27, 2026, at KITTE in Marunouchi, is still open today and tomorrow — bringing Edo-era craft techniques directly into one of modern Tokyo's major business districts.

Artisans at Work, Not Behind Glass

The event spans KITTE's 1F Atrium and the B1F "Tokyo City i" Performance Zone, with exhibitions, live artisan demonstrations, hands-on craft experiences, and sales of traditional crafts including Tokyo Umbrella, Edo Mounting, Edo Embroidery, Tokyo Shamisen, Tokyo Shippo, and Edo Glassware. Today's (October 26) scheduled demonstration is Tokyo Umbrella — sewing umbrella fabric using a specialized machine, 11:00–19:00. Tomorrow, October 27, features an Edo Brush demonstration (combing, smoothing, and tuft-forming, 11:00–17:00) plus a Tokyo Shamisen making/playing experience.

A recovery-support fair runs alongside the main program, introducing and selling traditional crafts from areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake — connecting this craft showcase to broader regional support.

A Design Contest and a Governor's Award

The event also hosts the "Traditional Crafts That I Wish We Had!" design contest, displaying all 1,175 submitted works, alongside the Tokyo Traditional Craftsmen New Works Competition. This year's Tokyo Governor's Award went to "Yukata-kibun de Apron." Venue voting for the New Works Competition runs through 15:00 on October 26, with results and an award ceremony on October 27 at 16:30.

Workshop fees vary by craft and session — this isn't a free event across the board, so visitors should check individual experience pricing rather than assume free admission.

More About This Event

This Year's Highlights

• Live artisan demonstrations and hands-on experiences in crafts including Tokyo Umbrella, Edo Mounting, Edo Embroidery, Tokyo Shamisen, Tokyo Shippo, and Edo Glassware.
• Includes a recovery-support fair for traditional crafts from Noto Peninsula earthquake-affected areas.
• Design contest 'Traditional Crafts That I Wish We Had!' displays all 1,175 submitted works; New Works Competition results/award ceremony October 27.

Tickets

General entry/viewing is free; individual workshop fees vary by craft and session.

Access

KITTE, 1F Atrium and B1F Tokyo City i Performance Zone, Marunouchi, Tokyo.

What To Know

This shows traditional Tokyo craftsmanship as a living practice rather than a museum display — working artisans demonstrating techniques like Tokyo Umbrella sewing and Edo Brush-making right inside KITTE, one of modern Marunouchi's major commercial buildings, for anyone walking through on an ordinary weekday.

Placing Edo-era craft techniques inside KITTE — a modern retail and office complex in one of Tokyo's most polished business districts — deliberately puts centuries-old skills in direct contact with contemporary Tokyo life, rather than isolating them in a dedicated crafts museum or a historic neighborhood.

Easy Japanese

10月23日から27日まで、丸の内のKITTEで、東京の伝統工芸を紹介するイベントが開かれています。職人の実演や体験もできます。

What Fans Are Saying

• "Seeing an actual umbrella-sewing demonstration inside KITTE is such a nice surprise."
• "Love that it supports Noto Peninsula crafts too."
• "1,175 submitted works for that design contest is a lot of creativity."

Original Japanese

• 「KITTEの中で実際の傘作りの実演が見られるのは嬉しい驚きですね」
• 「能登半島の工芸も支援しているのがいいですね」
• 「1175点も作品が集まるなんて、すごい創造力ですね」

Marine's View

丸の内という現代的な場所で、江戸時代から続く技を実際に見られるのは贅沢な体験ですね。