Best Car Events of October 2026: A Japan Roundup (147 Events!)

October 2026 promises to be an exhilarating month for car enthusiasts visiting Japan! As we leave the hot summer months and head into autumn, the Japanese car scene ignites with an incredible 147 events across the archipelago. Enjoy one of the most pleasant months to spend outside in Japan by going to a car event!

Our Discover JDM IOS and Android apps have a Pro version that sends you notifications when a new event is added. Please check it out!

Our website and apps now have a Spots page that shows a list of the spots in our database. This information was previously only available in the Map but now has its own list, making it easier to search for a particular spot. The page contains a curated list of auto museums, race circuits, car culture places and car spotting locations, searchable by keyword, category and region.

Near Tokyo:

October in the Greater Tokyo area offers a unique mix of drift events, a large USDM meet near the city center, and custom car concours.

• October 3-4 | 11:00 - 17:00 - Matsudo Classic Car & Sports Car Festival 2026 (@ JR Matsudo Station West Exit Underground Parking B1, B2): A classic car meet held during the large Matsudo Festival, featuring pre-1995 vehicles.
• October 4 | 08:30 - 11:45 - Sakura Morning Cruise (@ Gongendo No. 4 Park P1 parking A,B block): One of the largest monthly open-format car meets near Tokyo, gathering 200-300 cars.
• October 10 | 09:00 - 16:00 - TK Club (@ Mobara Twin Circuit): Beginner friendly track day with grip and drift sessions at one of the closest circuits to Tokyo.
• October 11 | 09:00 - 17:30 - 2X4 Baridori Tengoku (@ Mobara Twin Circuit): Unique track day featuring alternating drift car and motorcycle sessions at Mobara Twin Circuit, one of the closest circuits to Tokyo.
• October 18 | 10:00 - 15:00 - 24th X81 Mark II, Cresta, Chaser Meeting in Sagamiko (@ Sagamiko MORI MORI): A large meet for Toyota's iconic X81 chassis cars, attracting over 100 vehicles.
• October 25 | 09:00 - 15:30 - SUPER AMERICAN FESTIVAL 2026 (@ Odaiba Aomi Area R Sector): A very large USDM car show and swap meet in central Odaiba, offering easy access from anywhere in Tokyo.
• October 25 | 09:00 - 16:00 - Autumn Dreams Festival (@ Saitama Kart Park): A large custom car concours for VIP sedans, minivans, and kei cars, featuring live music and model photoshoots.
• October 31 - November 1 | 10:00 - 15:00 - AUTO JAMBOREE 2026 (@ Saitama Institute of Automotive Technology): A diverse car meet featuring classics, race cars, customs, and police cars at an automotive technical college.

Near Osaka:

Although central Osaka rarely has car events, the surrounding region has a wealth of events to choose from in October, including a rare truck meet and a massive 400-car meet at Okuibuki.

• October 1 | 13:30 - 21:00 - Kurobuta Meeting 2026 (@ Garden Museum Hiei Parking lot): An open-format mountain pass car meet northeast of Kyoto with revving and exhaust sound competitions.
• October 4 | 10:00 - 15:00 - Super Carnival Real 2026 (@ Maishima Sports Island): A custom station wagon, minivan, SUV, and van meet near Universal Studios Japan, expecting 200 cars.
• October 4 | 10:00 - 16:00 - Oilymart (@ Izumiotsu Phoenix Multipurpose Field): A car and bike meet/swap meet hosted by Fenderist at a bayside event space south of Osaka.
• October 10-11 | 10:00 - 16:00 - Truck Fes 2026 in Osaka (@ Izumiotsu Phoenix Multipurpose Field): A very rare Euro-style semi-tractor and truck meet with live music and stage performances.
• October 11 | 08:30 - 17:00 - Crazy Guy JACK 2nd (@ Shobudaniikedai Parking Lot): An open-format car concours in north Kyoto, attracting 220 cars.
• October 18 | 10:00 - 16:00 - WORK WHEELS JACK 6th (@ Izumiotsu Phoenix Multipurpose Field): A Work Wheels fan day and car meet (230 cars) with merch booths and model photoshoots.
• October 18 | - D-up carnival (@ Okuibuki Motor Park): A very large custom car concours, expecting 400 cars at the scenic Okuibuki Motor Park.

Notable Events:

Here are some notable events featuring a Mazda 787B demo run, and a massive GT-R meet expecting over 2,000 cars.

• October 3-4 | 09:00 - N/A - MAZDA FAN FESTA 2026 at FUJI SPEEDWAY (@ Fuji Speedway): An official Mazda fan day featuring a 787B demo run and historic Mazda race cars at the iconic Fuji Speedway.
• October 4 | 10:00 - 16:00 - 4th 4A-G Festival (@ Mt. Fuji parking): The 4th edition of a massive Toyota 4A-G engine enthusiast meet, expecting 500 cars, with celebrity guests.
• October 4 | 09:00 - 16:00 - X-DAY2026 (@ Northern Arc Resort): A huge multi-genre car concours for VIP, USDM, JDM, Euro, stance, custom, and truck builds, featuring burnout and limbo contests for 250 cars.
• October 11 | - ROWFES Vol.5 (@ Mt. Fuji parking): A large open-format car concours hosted by Rowen, attracting 350+ cars, complete with merch booths and model photoshoots.
• October 11 | - KYUSYU SUBARU MEETING 2026 (@ Autopolis): A massive Subaru owners' gathering and track day at Autopolis, expecting over 150 cars.
• October 18 | 10:00 - 15:00 - CAR FESTIVAL in KAWAJIMA 2026 (@ Kawajima Town Hall parking lot): A very popular old car meet (1946-2000) drawing 300 cars, complete with a swap meet and food trucks.
• October 24 | 09:00 - 15:00 - R's Meeting 2026 (@ Fuji Speedway): The 17th annual, enormous GT-R fan meet hosted by GT-R Magazine, featuring a parade run and vendor booths for 2,000 cars.
• October 25 | 08:00 - N/A - ROADSTER VENUSLINE MEET2026 (@ Blanche Takayama Ski Resort): A huge Mazda Roadster/MX-5/Miata meet high in the Alps, drawing 400 cars with merch, food, and YouTube personalities.

Travel Tips for October Car Events:

• Weather & Clothing: Early October may still be very hot, but the 2nd half brings pleasant, mild autumn weather across most of Japan up to the north Kanto region. Temperatures can vary from cool mornings to warm afternoons. We recommend dressing in layers, and bringing a light jacket, especially for evening events or those in mountainous regions like Mt. Fuji or the Central Highlands. People in the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions will likely experience more chilly weather. Rain is possible, so a compact umbrella or rain jacket can be useful.
• Transportation: Japan's public transport in city regions is excellent, but many car events are held at tracks or parks that might require a car local bus, taxi, or rental car to reach. Our partners and TSJapan Tours offer safe, flexible, and professional interpreted/guided tours to car meets and events. If you prefer to drive yourself, consider a car rental to go to one of these meets.
• Etiquette: Japanese car culture emphasizes respect and order. Park considerately, keep noise levels down in residential areas, and always follow event staff instructions. Many meets prohibit revving or excessive noise. If taking photos, be mindful of owners' privacy and avoid touching cars without permission.
• Booking & Tickets: For larger races and concours events, purchasing tickets in advance is often necessary and recommended, especially for popular events like Super GT or R's Meeting. Some events may require pre-registration for participants, and entrance fees for spectators.
• Accommodation: October is a popular travel month due to the comfortable weather and autumn foliage. Book your accommodations well in advance, especially if attending events in specific regions.

Explore Japan's Automotive Heartbeat This October!

With 150 events lighting up the calendar, October 2026 is truly a standout month for car enthusiasts in Japan. Use this guide to plan your ultimate automotive journey and discover why Japan's car scene is unlike any other. Don't miss out!