Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival 2025 Concludes in Great Success, Welcoming Visitors from Around the World
- Shinya Yamada
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival: Japan’s Iconic Cat Halloween Festival
On October 12, 2025, the Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival 2025 was held in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, drawing large crowds and concluding with great success. Known internationally as a Cat Halloween Festival, the event welcomed cat lovers from around the world to join a lively costume parade through the streets of Kagurazaka. It is one of the town’s most significant annual events, attracting participants of all ages and nationalities. The festival is also part of the Kagurazaka Machi Tobi Festa 2025, which runs from October 11 to November 3, 2025.
The Bakeneko Festival began in 2010 as a cat-themed costume event. Kagurazaka, closely associated with the celebrated novelist Natsume Sōseki, author of I Am a Cat, has long been a town of deep cultural significance. Since the Edo period, it has flourished as a kagai (geisha district) and has long been known as a “town of cats,” beloved by both feline residents and their admirers. The festival was born from the local wish to create a celebration unique to Kagurazaka. This event unites the town, its people, and its visitors in a shared spirit of community and creativity.
The Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival Is About More Than Just Cat Costumes
Adding to this year’s highlights, performers from Gokayama, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture—an area with historical ties to Kagurazaka— appeared on stage to present a special rendition of the Kokiriko-bushi, known affectionately as “Neko-kiriko.” The Kokiriko-bushi is considered Japan’s oldest folk song, with origins dating back approximately 1,400 years to the ancient Dengaku rituals. It is said to have been sung continuously since the Taika Reform era, making it one of Japan’s most enduring musical traditions.
Kagurazaka itself also boasts a history of over 1,300 years, once home to a government-managed cattle ranch. The performance of Kokiriko-bushi in such a historically rich setting is one of the most captivating features of the Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival, where the old and new harmoniously blend.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Festival You Shouldn’t Miss
We invite you to view the photos captured during today’s festivities.
If you were unable to join this year’s Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival 2025, we warmly welcome you to attend the next celebration in 2026. Whether you transform yourself into a cat or simply come to admire the “transformed” cats around you, this is a joyful, peaceful festival that embodies the charm and spirit of Kagurazaka.
It is truly an experience to enjoy at least once in a lifetime.
We have introduced the Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival several times in our blog, and we can’t help but feel a sense of regret that the 2025 festival has now come to an end. We look forward to seeing you again at next year’s Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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