Free things to do in Tokyo this week

American artist Daniel Arsham has teamed up with Pokémon for an exhibition at the Parco Museum Tokyo following his Pokémon showcase at Nanzuka. Recently, Arsham also released a limited-edition Uniqlo T-shirt collection, giving fans a sneak peek at what's in-store. Titled 'Relics of Kanto Through Time', the exhibition features Pokémon characters in Arsham's signature fossilised, decaying style which he has coined as 'Fictional Archaeology'. You'll recognise Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle, Snorlax, Eevee and more in this collection that depicts the world of the 'Pokémon Red' and 'Pokémon Blue' video games in the year 3020.  Aside from the gallery space, you'll find a two-metre-tall bronze Pikachu statue on the first floor of Shibuya Parco during the exhibition. Limited-edition Pokémon goods will also be available at the 2G store inside the mall including a special Crystalized Pikachu sculpture, bags, posters, stickers and more.

The ritzy Ginza Six department store will be decked out with a mesmerizing cloud-like art installation created by Japanese designer and artist, Yoshioka Tokujin, from February 27 until the end of October. His works have been displayed all around the world including at the Musée d'Orsay and the Art Institute of Chicago. Recently, Tokujin turned heads with his designs for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic torches. As the name Prismatic Cloud suggests, Tokujin’s gigantic sculpture is made from over 10,000 white prism rods dangling from the top in the centre of the building, creating the illusion of a cloud hovering just below the ceiling.

Asagaya has been holding its own distinctive Tanabata festival for over 60 years now, but the event has moved with the times: in recent years, the papier-mâché decorations dangling from the ceiling of the Pearl Center shopping arcade have included iconic characters like Jack Sparrow and Buzz Lightyear. The decorations are there to see all day long, but many people wait until dusk to go and enjoy them, accompanied by food and drink sold at stalls along the length of the street.