Jasmina Mitrovic

If you’re looking to trade in concrete and dancefloors for grass fields and moonlight, then Yurufuwa Gang’s Pure Rave will be worth hopping on the train for. Put on by the local rap duo Icons, Nene and Ryugo Ishida, Yurufuwa Camp returns for its first rave in two years. Stacked over three days, the line-up boasts some seriously seasoned names across Japan’s music scene. Expect maximalist fits, lunar-eclipse timing, and chaos under the stars more fitting of a pilgrimage than a party. The event is described as taking place ‘Somewhere in Kanto’ – you’ll have to grab yourself a ticket to find out the exact location. 

If you’re feeling like you need a bit of a boost to your usual nightlife circuit, a Tokyo Vitamin event – true to its name – could be the answer. They’re not just a label, or a brand, but a rotating cast of DJs, musicians, designers – and cultural instigators who’ve been running the scene for years. This Saturday they take over Scramble Cafe & Bar in Shibuya. Expect heavy beats, fashion kids packed wall-to-wall, and a crowd that blends locals and international heads into one dance floor.
No cover charge – just a stacked line-up, and the vibes to match.

Fujimoto-san is the internet’s current favourite rags-to-riches story. From homelessness to meme stardom, to launching his own crypto coin, he’s captured both hearts and wallets worldwide. This Saturday, Fujimoto-san drops the second collection of his label, Fujimoto by Fujimoto, hosted at one of the city’s fashion staples – Nubian Harajuku. Reception opens at 11am, with a -party featuring live performances and local DJs soundtracking the chaos. If the first release was any indication, expect a sellout. 

Bringing together some of the coolest of Tokyo’s underground, Veritas makes its debut at Daikanyama’s newest venue, Ord. The night promises a blend of sounds and styles that intersect across genres. From boiler-room certified drum and basse, to transcendent washes, there will definitely be enough personality behind the decks to keep things unpredictable. Throw in food and a crowd that knows how to turn out, and you’ve got a full service event.

Fetch is a recurring hardcore queer party series founded by DJs Intoxxy and Muneo – that radiates the extravagance and excitement of Ni-chome all around Tokyo. Through drag performances and heavy-hitting DJs, each edition is loud, charged and will be sure to have you busting it down, all while keeping the dance floor open to everyone.
 This time they’re teaming up with Sophie Night, the Ni-chome event series that celebrates the life and legacy of the late producer Sophie. Headlining is Umru, most recently known for his work on Charli XCX’s Pop 2, joined by N² of Kyun Desu and many other DJs you won’t want to miss. But more than the DJs, it’s the drag performers who will tie the night back to Sophie’s spirit, turning the floor into a tribute as much as the weekend’s most essential queer night.

If you’re looking to get your start into Japan’s underground rap and hip-hop scene, 4Some at Circus Tokyo will be the place to go this weekend. The night centeres on Adachi trap, with headliners Nyture and Spiderweb crew’s Ivy carrying the sound out of their hometown and into the city.Nyture cuts sharp lyrics with the grit of Adachi life over beats that nod as much to the street as to the club, while Ivy gives things an experimental edge through self- produced tracks layered in synths.The line-up is packed with other heavy hitters across the scene, among them Cyber Rui, a female rapper turning out dance-inducing tunes laced with electronic edge and a swag reminiscent of leading contemporaries globally.

No Sunday saddies here – RevCrossing lands at mega-club Zero Tokyo to close out the weekend with a bang. Together organizers Cross Tokyo and Revelation Party, pull from every corner of the city’s creative circles to create the kind of night that makes Monday morning soreness feel worth it. With a stacked roster that includes underground cult favourite wagahai is neko, the party spans across three areas and is sure to leave you with the reminder that in Tokyo, they definitely play as hard as they work.

Navigating Tokyo’s nightlife scene can feel like stepping into a circus. One look around reveals endless options for revelry that can take you well on into the early morning – but the act of actually walking into a new space, especially one you’ve never set foot in before, can be daunting. So, to spare you another night posted up in front of your go-to convenience store, we’ve curated a list of events happening around the city this weekend that are guaranteed to be worth the effort. With Tokyo Fashion Week in full swing, this weekend’s line-up promises a wave of stylish people, move-inducing beats, and a whole lot of fun. Photo:Yagi Exhibition. x Kangol Presents: Rabbit Museum Yagi Exhibition x Kangol Presents: Rabbit Museum at Domicile Tokyo Sep 5-12Reiji Okamoto is a man of many musical titles, but above all, he's a connector of Tokyo’s underground – This time he's teaming up with renowned British brand Kangol for the fourth round of their cult collaboration. The Rabbit Beanie returns, updated with a few design changes, and a multitude of colours. Alongside the garment’s official release will be an exhibition of one-off custom versions created by 21 iconic local artists at Tokyo’s fashion and cultural syndicate, Domicile Tokyo. The exhibition launches Friday with an opening reception and will remain on view through September 12. The collab celebrations will spill over into Monday with a Rabbit Party being held at Shibuya’s Music Bar Lion. Expect live sets, seasoned DJs an