Free things to do in Tokyo this weekend

The UNU farmers’ market is one of Tokyo’s longest running and best-attended markets. Taking place every weekend in front of the university’s Aoyama headquarters, this one always attracts a knowledgeable crowd. Organic and local fare is readily available every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, with the farmers themselves happy to provide details about their wares. Plus, there's always a few food trucks on hand if you wish to enjoy a quick meal.

Anime Station Tokyo is celebrating the latest addition to the ‘Gundam’ franchise by hosting a special ‘Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom’ exhibition, ongoing until early May. Dedicated to the aforementioned film, which was released in January this year, the event features an exclusive showcase of rare materials and illustrations from the iconic 'Mobile Suit Gundam' anime series. As the exhibition also coincides with the 45th anniversary of the Gundam franchise, it offers a comprehensive look at Gundam's long and illustrious history. Visitors can explore a detailed timeline, admire iconic Mobile Suits, and view a collection of beloved Gunpla models. This year is especially significant as the iconic moving Gundam in Yokohama will be closing at the end of March. The exhibition therefore provides fans with a unique chance to dive into the Gundam universe. By first visiting the towering mecha in Yokohama and then exploring this exhibition in Ikebukuro, fans can enjoy a seamless Gundam experience that celebrates both its rich legacy and promising future.

British-born artist Mark Leckey is a product of the UK’s ever-vibrant pop culture, and through diverse mediums he confronts youth, dance music, nostalgia, social class and history from an often countercultural perspective. The subcultural edge of his work – which encompasses film, sound, sculpture, performance, collage and more – additionally takes on a gritty incongruousness when enjoyed at Louis Vuitton’s sleek Omotesando exhibition space. The French luxury house here presents two Leckey works from its collection. 'Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore feat. Big Red Soundsystem' (1999-2003-2010) is a film that, through a mash-up of archive footage, vividly traces the development of the UK’s underground dance music scene from 1970s disco through to the ’90s rave scene. 2013’s 'Felix the Cat', meanwhile, is a giant inflatable rendering of the cartoon cat that Leckey considers a pioneer of the digital age. Almost a century ago, this feline character was one of the first subjects to be transmitted as a TV signal. Text by Darren Gore

Scorpion Dagger, also known as James Kerr, is a digital artist from Montreal, Canada, famed for his short animations blending cut-outs from historical art paintings. With this signature approach, he creates a distinctive visual style, which he then uses to comment on modern society and pop culture.  For his Tokyo showcase, sponsored by Bottega, Scorpion Dagger has drawn inspiration from his trip to Japan last summer. Flooded with new ideas, his latest works feature his regular characters cut out from their usual scenes but now mixed into his Japanese experiences.  Over the course of his career, Kerr has also had the opportunity to write and produce music videos for renowned musicians including Brockhampton, Tommy Cash, Elf Parade and Metz. He has also worked on commissions by The Cluny Museum, The New York Times, Fender, Gucci and more.

Held in Nagoya, Kyoto and Tokyo, this fully vegan festival is a welcome celebration in meat-mad Japan. Expect a strong line-up of around 80 stalls at Kiba Park, which will sell veggie burgers, curries, burritos, doughnuts, soft-serve ice cream and plenty more. Every food stall will list the ingredients used (in Japanese), so you can be 100 percent sure that no animal was harmed or involved in the process of making your meal.