November Festival (commonly known as NF) is an annual university festival held in November at Kyoto University.
Spanning four days, it is one of the largest festivals in the Kansai region, attracting over 100,000 visitors each year.
This November Festival is organized by Kyoto University's students, who embody the university's spirit of academic freedom.
Filled with unparalleled passion and creativity, these students generously showcase their talents, filling Yoshida Campus with an array of projects that color the festival.
From classic festival staples like stages and food booths to academic events such as lectures and exhibitions, there is something for everyone, regardless of age or gender.
Date and Time
Friday, November 20th, 2026: 9:40 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21st, 2026: 9:40 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 22nd, 2026: 9:40 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, November 23rd, 2026 (national holiday): 9:40 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(General Projects: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Online Projects: open 24 hours)
Message from the Secretary-General
Thank you for visiting the official website of the 68th Kyoto University November Festival. My name is Hirata Tomoyuki, and I serve as Secretary-General of the Kyoto University November Festival Office.In preparing for this year's festival, we have received the understanding and cooperation of a great many people, including the students presenting projects, members of the university, our sponsors and individual supporters, and residents of the surrounding neighborhood. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you.
The November Festival is a place where the self-driven activities of Kyoto University students, and the value created through them, find expression. Carrying this philosophy forward while continuing to grow, the festival marks its 68th edition this year. Throughout its history, students have let their imaginations roam freely and brought countless original projects to life. This year, too, students are devoting their limited time at university to preparing a rich variety of projects, from exhibitions and food stalls to performances. Their passion, their journey, and their brilliance are all etched into this festival.
Each year, the November Festival adopts a catchphrase known as the "Unified Theme," chosen by Kyoto University students through open submissions and a vote. This year's Unified Theme is Unchi, or "Poop." It describes stool as "a letter sent by the body," one from which we can infer the path a person has walked and the way they have lived. It then likens Kyoto University to a single great living organism, and casts the students who enter it and eventually set out into the world as "letters" that carry the university's journey within them.
Just as a letter reveals how its sender has lived, each student project reveals the life of the person behind it: what they found fascinating, and what they poured their heart and soul into. The true appeal of a university festival, I feel, lies in being able to see those lives. I hope you will come and witness with your own eyes the wonder of the moment when the work to which students have devoted their university years finally bears fruit. We at the November Festival Office will do our utmost to ensure that the festival remains a place where students can express their lives in this way.
Late November marks the threshold of winter. Amid the festival's energy, which chases away the chill, I hope these letters bearing the lives of our students will find their way to you.
Declaration of "Independent November Festival by Students"
Kyoto University November Festival Committee makes the following declaration.
It is the most significant in Kyoto University November Festival that it consists of independent activities of students themselves. Various values created by the independent activities of the students under their own initiative are respected the most in November Festival.
Therefore, any outside organization must not intervene in the activities of student groups or individuals, and contrary to the above significance, November Festival must not be a space where anyone outside makes profit.
Kyoto University November Festival Committee declares that it will make its utmost efforts to prevent November Festival from becoming such a space and aim at the realization of independent activities and value created from such activities.