Things to do in Tokyo today
The day's best things to do in Tokyo, all in one place
Not sure what to do this evening? Well, you're in the right place now: Tokyo always has plenty of stuff going on, from festivals to concerts and art shows, activities and more. Read on for our pick of the best things to do, and if you're planning further ahead, check out our weekly picks.
RECOMMENDED: Get your tickets to events and gigs here
Tochigi Strawberry Sweets Fair
Savour some creative strawberry dishes at Tobu department store’s dining venue, Spice, which features 44 restaurants spanning from floors 11 to 15. Strawberries used in these dishes come from Tochigi prefecture, Japan’s largest strawberry producer for the past 50 years. There will be a total of 45 dishes on offer, including a number of unusual and quirky dishes such as strawberry Thai fried rice, strawberry and red bean paste xiaolongbao, fried strawberry baguette sandwich, and a deconstructed tapioca strawberry milk tea ice cream.
Rooftop Star Garden
The rooftop garden at Ginza Six is piling on the romance for the year-end holidays. The illimunination feature sparkling LED pillars (there are 147 of them), turning the space into a star-filled galaxy come nighttime. In line with this concept, the 'forest' area has been turned into a small planetarium, with laser lights shooting through crystals to create an immersive night scene.
Beckbook Exhibition
Browse through an exhibition of adorable photos of the Instagram-famous white java sparrow, Beck, at Dozono Studio until March 1. Photographer Hiroyuki Dozono and Illustrator Nobuko Dozono began posting photos of Beck on Instagram two years ago, and the exhibition is curated by the couple. You can see Beck in different poses, and situations, but the most popular photo is one of Beck disguised as whipped cream standing on a drawing of a strawberry shortcake. If you just can’t get enough of Beck, you can even meet the fluffy white bird in person at the studio until 3pm every day during the exhibition.
Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions
The festival is a two-week-long showcase of exhibitions, screenings, events and live talks. This year’s theme is ‘The Imagination of Time’ and the festival explores ways to convey history as well as the unpredictable future. The main exhibition is free, but some of the other screenings and events might have an entrance fee. One exhibit not to be missed is a video captured with an ultra-high-speed camera that can record things that are not seen by the human eye.
Anthony Lister/Brian Leo ‘Rude Words’
Australian contemporary painter Anthony Lister and New York-based painter Brian Leo join forces for this show at Megumi Ogita Gallery in Ginza. Their distinct artistic styles complement each other, highlighting the issues that we face today: mass media, identity, culture and everything in between. You’ll see a humorous painting of Chewbacca jumping out of an Amazon box by Leo, and keep an eye out for Lister’s series of modern superhero paintings. There’s also an installation of 100 small paintings by Leo depicting his personal experiences and social commentary.
Choi Jeong-Hwa Exhibition: Blooming Matrix
One of the most influential artists in the Korean contemporary art scene, Choi Jeong-Hwa is showcasing his work at Gyre in a solo exhibition that runs until February 24. Choi has a particular fondness for collecting knick-knacks from around the world and then shape those everyday objects into grand sculptures. Of great acclaim is his ‘Alchemy’ series, a collection of room-sized sculptures that are built by stacking objects onto each other. These Alchemy sculptures along with Choi’s other imaginative works will be on public display for free.
Barry McGee ‘Potato Sack Body’
San Francisco based artist Barry McGee hosts his first solo exhibition at Perrotin with Potato Sack Body, following his immersive show at the Hong Kong Perrotin gallery space in 2019. Pulling influences from American folk art, Op art, and urban realism, McGee creates playful and vibrant pieces using all kinds of media. From multi-panel paintings and framed works to painted ceramics and repurposed objects, his collection captivates people with colourful and experimental work.
Swimming Tapes
With the 2019 breakout album ‘Morningside’ featured heavily on BBC Radio and Spotify playlists across the world, London-based indie rock band Swimming Tapes is enjoying a rapid rise in international profile as of recent. To leverage their newfound fame, members of the band will be undertaking their first live performances in Japan at Shinjuku Martz on February 18 and 19. Joining the British band on stage will be Hitsujibungaku, a Japanese rock band that first rose to fame on the 2016 Fuji Rock Festival’s Rookie a Go-go stage. // !function(d,s,id){var Js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://zaiko.io/widgets/all.js.php";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","ZAIKO-jssdk"); // Time Out Tokyo Tickets2020-02-18SWIMMING TAPES @ SHINJUKU MARZBUY NOW // !function(d,s,id){var Js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="https://zaiko.io/widgets/all.js.php";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","ZAIKO-jssdk"); // Time Out Tokyo Tickets2020-02-19SWIMMING TAPES - DAY 2 - @ SHINJUKU MARZBUY NOW
Japan Grand Prix International Orchid and Flower Show
As one of the biggest orchid exhibitions in the world, Japan Grand Prix International Orchid and Flower Show is the most extravagant flower fest you’ll ever come across. The exhibition will have over one million orchids to commemorate its 30th anniversary this year, along with cherry blossoms, bonsai, cattleyas and more. Take a break at the Flower Cafe & Bar, which serves floral-inspired cocktails and food, and check out the marketplace selling plants and homewares. And don’t miss the Japan Grand Prix itself to see which installation is named the best out of the 1,000 exhibitors.
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illuminations
One of the top illumination events in Tokyo in terms of scale, and boasting hundreds of thousands of LEDs strung all around the complex, Tokyo Dome City’s light-up has a traditional Japanese theme this winter inspired by cherry blossoms, Mt Fuji, the Tanabata Festival and more. You can also look forward to a 6-metre tall lit up yagura (high wooden stage), traditionally used at Tokyo's bon dance festivals in summer, glowing wisteria and other quirky contraptions, while the restaurants and cafés around the facility offer special winter-themed menus.
Free things to do in Tokyo today
Rooftop Star Garden
The rooftop garden at Ginza Six is piling on the romance for the year-end holidays. The illimunination feature sparkling LED pillars (there are 147 of them), turning the space into a star-filled galaxy come nighttime. In line with this concept, the 'forest' area has been turned into a small planetarium, with laser lights shooting through crystals to create an immersive night scene.
Beckbook Exhibition
Browse through an exhibition of adorable photos of the Instagram-famous white java sparrow, Beck, at Dozono Studio until March 1. Photographer Hiroyuki Dozono and Illustrator Nobuko Dozono began posting photos of Beck on Instagram two years ago, and the exhibition is curated by the couple. You can see Beck in different poses, and situations, but the most popular photo is one of Beck disguised as whipped cream standing on a drawing of a strawberry shortcake. If you just can’t get enough of Beck, you can even meet the fluffy white bird in person at the studio until 3pm every day during the exhibition.
Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions
The festival is a two-week-long showcase of exhibitions, screenings, events and live talks. This year’s theme is ‘The Imagination of Time’ and the festival explores ways to convey history as well as the unpredictable future. The main exhibition is free, but some of the other screenings and events might have an entrance fee. One exhibit not to be missed is a video captured with an ultra-high-speed camera that can record things that are not seen by the human eye.
Anthony Lister/Brian Leo ‘Rude Words’
Australian contemporary painter Anthony Lister and New York-based painter Brian Leo join forces for this show at Megumi Ogita Gallery in Ginza. Their distinct artistic styles complement each other, highlighting the issues that we face today: mass media, identity, culture and everything in between. You’ll see a humorous painting of Chewbacca jumping out of an Amazon box by Leo, and keep an eye out for Lister’s series of modern superhero paintings. There’s also an installation of 100 small paintings by Leo depicting his personal experiences and social commentary.
Choi Jeong-Hwa Exhibition: Blooming Matrix
One of the most influential artists in the Korean contemporary art scene, Choi Jeong-Hwa is showcasing his work at Gyre in a solo exhibition that runs until February 24. Choi has a particular fondness for collecting knick-knacks from around the world and then shape those everyday objects into grand sculptures. Of great acclaim is his ‘Alchemy’ series, a collection of room-sized sculptures that are built by stacking objects onto each other. These Alchemy sculptures along with Choi’s other imaginative works will be on public display for free.
Barry McGee ‘Potato Sack Body’
San Francisco based artist Barry McGee hosts his first solo exhibition at Perrotin with Potato Sack Body, following his immersive show at the Hong Kong Perrotin gallery space in 2019. Pulling influences from American folk art, Op art, and urban realism, McGee creates playful and vibrant pieces using all kinds of media. From multi-panel paintings and framed works to painted ceramics and repurposed objects, his collection captivates people with colourful and experimental work.
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illuminations
One of the top illumination events in Tokyo in terms of scale, and boasting hundreds of thousands of LEDs strung all around the complex, Tokyo Dome City’s light-up has a traditional Japanese theme this winter inspired by cherry blossoms, Mt Fuji, the Tanabata Festival and more. You can also look forward to a 6-metre tall lit up yagura (high wooden stage), traditionally used at Tokyo's bon dance festivals in summer, glowing wisteria and other quirky contraptions, while the restaurants and cafés around the facility offer special winter-themed menus.
Yushima Cat Festival
It’s no secret Japan loves its cats and there's no better way to celebrate them than giving the feisty felines their own festival. This Neko Matsuri, or Cat Festival, is held twice a year in Yushima, a sleepy town near Kanda known for its old-school charm and humble mom-and-pop stores. At the Cat Festival, running from February 11 to March 1, cat-lovers can purchase special cat-related goods from zakka (lifestyle) shops and feast on cat-shaped dessert. On Saturdays, shrine-goers can receive a special cat stamp from Tsumagoi Shrine. Cat owners should participate in the photo contest – the winning pictures will be featured in the next festival’s posters and maps. The festival will culminate on Saturday February 22 at the cat craft festival, where local vendors sell handmade crafts for cats and humans, alongside workshops and performances.
Setagaya Ume Matsuri
Setagaya's Hanegi Park is home to over 600 plum blossom trees. These small, pink flowers bloom when the weather starts to warm up and Hanegi Park celebrates with a month-long festival. The Setagaya Plum Festival celebrates the flowering season with events like mochi pounding, tea ceremonies, traditional music performances and even a blood donation corner (Monday February 24). Don't forget to pick up a plum-flavoured souvenir like the sweet mochi daifuku or sour umeboshi.
Open Space 2019
The Intercommunication Center has been hosting these annual, almost year-long media art exhibitions since 2006, and they are so on point that they sometimes end up eclipsing the cultural facility’s other concurrent exhibitions. The latest Open Space show, titled 'Alternative Views', takes a look at how our ideas and perceptions of the world are influenced by the alternative world views propagating through media and technology. Expect artworks and contributions from leading tech-minded artists including Toshio Iwai, Hiroaki Umeda, JODI and Gregory Barsamian. The exhibition puts a big emphasis on interactivity and hands-on installations so that even kids are able to appreciate the works on show.