Japan has mastered the red carpet. Almost.

"Sukiyaki" director Takahisa Zeze, and actors Tori Matsuzaka, Junichi Okada and Nana Seino walk the red carpet at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. | © 2026 TIFF

Oct 29, 2026

Pedestrians passing by Tokyo Midtown Hibiya on the afternoon of Oct. 26 might have mistaken the scene for a construction site, with staff herding passersby into two lanes in front of temporary walls, waving bright yellow signs directing them to keep moving.

“What on earth is happening here?” I heard several people ask, including high school students and older women leaving the nearby Hibiya Chanter building. What was happening was the red carpet for the opening of the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).

Hundreds of fans and media members stood beyond the makeshift walls, watching a parade of celebrities and film-industry figures make their way down the carpet from around 3 p.m. A downpour had lasted all afternoon, and guests carried TIFF-branded umbrellas as they passed fans, stopping to sign photos and snap selfies before reaching the press. Then, just as quickly, they were gone.

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