Things to do in Tokyo today

We Are One is a 10-day global film festival on YouTube. The free online event will be showing international films as well as talks with the cast and crew curated by some of the world's most prestigious film festivals including Cannes, Sundance and of course, Japan's very own Tokyo International Film Festival. Running from May 29 to June 7, the online festival will screen movies, documentaries and shorts featured at previous festivals to benefit the World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Six Japanese films from the Tokyo International Film Festival have been added to lineup so far, preview the films here. As of now, this year's Tokyo International Film Festival is scheduled for October 31 to November 9. However, it's still subject to change depending on the coronavirus situation in Tokyo.  For more information, including the film schedule, see the official YouTube page.

[Update, Mar 24] This event has been postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak.   * Contemporary Scottish figurative painter Peter Doig is having his maiden exhibition in Japan at the National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, where you can see a range of his works, from his earliest to some of his most recent. His style draws on artists like Paul Gaugin, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse and Edvard Munch while incorporating imagery inspired by movie scenes and advertisements to create art with a romantic yet mysterious feel. The highlights are his overwhelmingly large paintings that span over three metres wide, making you feel as though you are part of the scene.

Organised by renowned music producer Seiji Kameda, this free outdoor festival will feature dozens of live performances from the likes of the Kameda-led Music Park Orchestra, Japanese pop group Dreams Come True, world-famous guitarist and singer Miyavi and local rapper Kreva. Don’t miss the chance to apply for free tickets online. The live gigs will be complemented by a roster of workshops, which are also free to attend. You can shop for musical instruments, and if you feel peckish, head to one of the food stalls. This is your perfect chance to get a (free) taste of Japan’s music scene.

Note: The dates and hours of this event may change due to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. Please see the official website for the latest details. A celebration of art and culture set in the forest surrounding Meiji Shrine, this festival – co-presented by Japan Cultural Expo – zooms in on the relationship between nature and Japanese arts and culture with a diverse programme that will be going on until 2021. Held at Meiji Shrine itself, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, as well as at various venues in the vicinity, the festival kicks off in March 2020 with ‘Tenkukaikatsu’, an open-air sculpture exhibition that features work by leading artists such as Kohei Nawa and Atsuhiko Misawa. Their contributions draw on the unique environment they are displayed in, as well as on the history and culture of the shrine. Another noteworthy programme comes courtesy of the Thanks Flower Project, which delivers flowers from the Tohoku region around the world in gratitude for assistance provided to the areas affected by 3.11. The project will be displaying various flowers from throughout Japan in the Meiji Shrine forest until the end of the festival. For more programme details, see here.  

The Laos Festival has been steadily winning fans in recent years. The relative lack of crowds (especially compared to the Thai festival), the relaxed atmosphere and an attractive array of food stands and handicraft stalls make it one of the more chilled-out of Yoyogi Park's many colourful cultural celebrations. Visitors can also expect a variety of stage appearances by both Laotian and Japanese performers – from traditional dancers to rock stars.

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.

Banksy is the most notorious street artist of this generation, but his real identity remains a mystery to the world that admired his works as they spontaneously appeared on city streets overnight. Though images of Banksy's work have been widely circulated online, the artist has never organised conventional exhibitons, making it harder for international fans to see a collection of his works in person.  This unauthorised exhibition, which has already been held in five cities around the world, is made possible by private art collectors. 70 original Banksy pieces will be displayed for the first time in Japan, each conveying the artist's commentary on political, capitalist and humanitarian issues through darkly humorous sculptures and prints. Whether you see him as a genius or as a vandal, everyone has something to take away from this daring and thought-provoking collection. 

Japan’s way of wrapping gifts is an art in itself, and at this Ginza exhibition you'll learn more about this beautiful tradition, including a special gift-appropriate method of tying knots, plus the delicate way of folding paper in origami style. The tradition of handing over meticulously wrapped gifts that reflect the givers' sincerity dates back to the Muromachi period (around 1336-1573). On April 11, you can participate in a free gallery tour and talk about origami-folding techniques (reservation required). Make sure not to miss the workshops on May 9 and June 20, where you’ll be taught how to wrap gifts origami-style for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day (¥2,000, reservation required).

An annual nocturnal celebration of all things creative, Roppongi Art Night returns with a diverse line-up of outdoor installations, live performances, cultural exhibitions, talks and workshops. The spectacular event takes over the neighbourhood from dusk until way past dawn, with the area’s art museums and galleries staying open until the wee hours. For some stunning photo ops, head to Mori Art Museum in the early morning and catch the sunrise from its observation deck. For the full programme, check the official website.

UPDATE: The start of this exhibition has been postponed until further notice due to the Covid-19 coronavirus situation. Get a thorough introduction to an iconic piece of Japanese clothing at the Tokyo National Museum and Japan Cultural Expo's spring special, which digs deep into the history and cultural significance of the kimono. The exhibition's five sections touch on themes such as the garment's origins, its evolution and its contemporary role, and feature a range of remarkable items – from the only remaining kimono decorated by master painter Ogata Korin and a jinbaori coat worn by the 16th-century warlord Oda Nobunaga to the OTT clothing designs of Taro Okamoto. Visitors can also view paintings, prints and other artworks related to kimono culture, and try on reproductions of famous historical garments. Note that the exhibition is divided into two parts, each with somewhat different displays. Part 1 is set to last until May 10 (start date TBD, while Part 2 takes place from May 12 to June 7. Note: The dates and opening hours of this exhibition may change due to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. Please see the official website for the latest details.

We Are One is a 10-day global film festival on YouTube. The free online event will be showing international films as well as talks with the cast and crew curated by some of the world's most prestigious film festivals including Cannes, Sundance and of course, Japan's very own Tokyo International Film Festival. Running from May 29 to June 7, the online festival will screen movies, documentaries and shorts featured at previous festivals to benefit the World Health Organisation’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Six Japanese films from the Tokyo International Film Festival have been added to lineup so far, preview the films here. As of now, this year's Tokyo International Film Festival is scheduled for October 31 to November 9. However, it's still subject to change depending on the coronavirus situation in Tokyo.  For more information, including the film schedule, see the official YouTube page.

Organised by renowned music producer Seiji Kameda, this free outdoor festival will feature dozens of live performances from the likes of the Kameda-led Music Park Orchestra, Japanese pop group Dreams Come True, world-famous guitarist and singer Miyavi and local rapper Kreva. Don’t miss the chance to apply for free tickets online. The live gigs will be complemented by a roster of workshops, which are also free to attend. You can shop for musical instruments, and if you feel peckish, head to one of the food stalls. This is your perfect chance to get a (free) taste of Japan’s music scene.

The Laos Festival has been steadily winning fans in recent years. The relative lack of crowds (especially compared to the Thai festival), the relaxed atmosphere and an attractive array of food stands and handicraft stalls make it one of the more chilled-out of Yoyogi Park's many colourful cultural celebrations. Visitors can also expect a variety of stage appearances by both Laotian and Japanese performers – from traditional dancers to rock stars.

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.

Japan’s way of wrapping gifts is an art in itself, and at this Ginza exhibition you'll learn more about this beautiful tradition, including a special gift-appropriate method of tying knots, plus the delicate way of folding paper in origami style. The tradition of handing over meticulously wrapped gifts that reflect the givers' sincerity dates back to the Muromachi period (around 1336-1573). On April 11, you can participate in a free gallery tour and talk about origami-folding techniques (reservation required). Make sure not to miss the workshops on May 9 and June 20, where you’ll be taught how to wrap gifts origami-style for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day (¥2,000, reservation required).

A popular shopping mall in the city centre, Tokyo Midtown will be hosting a series of family friendly activities from late April. Enjoy outdoor yoga in the mall’s grassy central plaza, participate in paper craft workshops, or even watch movies at the outdoor cinema. More than 50 designers and 100 artists will also exhibit their work. From May 2 to 6, you can also visit the mall's Hawaii Music & Life Festival, complete with hula competitions, live performances, and shops selling Hawaiian fashion, accessories and food.