Things to do in Tokyo this week
This week’s hottest events, gigs, films, festivals and more
When you're spending time in a city as big as Tokyo, it's never too early to start planning for the week ahead. You can pack a lot of living into seven days, whether you're someone who likes to spend an afternoon at the museum or prefers to stay out late clubbing. We've sifted through hundreds of listings to weed out a handful of the week's best events, gigs, festivals and things to do.
RECOMMENDED: Get your tickets to events and gigs here
Best things to do this week
Edogawa Goldfish Festival
The Edogawa area has been known for its goldfish breeding since the late 1800s, and this festival also boasts decades of history. Stroll around admiring shiny specimens of more than 20 kinds, buy some for your own aquarium, or try kingyo sukui (goldfish scooping). Great for families with small kids – especially if you live nearby...
HandMade In Japan Fes
Art, crafts, fashion, accessories and much more – it's all here at the annual HandMade in Japan festival, a massive two-day celebration of artisanal crafts and creativity, which attracts over 3,000 artists, designers and craftsmen in addition to the thousands of amateur DIYers. Shop for unique items at the many markets, learn a new skill at one of the workshops, drop in on the live music gigs...
Sunnyside Japan Tour
This bright but funky six-piece Australian funk-jazz collective has been selling out jazz bars and nightclubs across their home country and taken the stage in a host of music festivals around the world. This summer, the group makes their Japan debut with six shows taking them from Tokyo down to Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya...
Festival Brazil
Expect a colourful, caipirinha-fuelled, energy-packed couple of days as the Brazil Festival takes over Yoyogi Park's event square. There’ll be plenty of live music and dancing including bossa nova singers, percussionists and capoeira performances, plus grilled meats, churros and a lineup of fruity beverages...
Gin Live Festival
Gin is having a moment in Japan, and we’re not complaining. Next up on the year’s juniper-driven calendar is the Gin Live Festival, held in Akiba Square for just one day in July. Taste over 60 varieties of gin, including international labels like Sweden’s Göteborg and Scotland’s The Botanist as well as domestic Japanese products like Awa from Tokushima and Hinata from Miyazaki...
Eifman Ballet: Rodin, Her Eternal Idol
This dramatic performance was inspired by the tumultuous relationship between French sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel. Claudel was a longtime lover and confidante of Rodin, but her daring ideas and unique talent eventually led her to become a formidable rival of his, causing a strain on the relationship...
Washu Fes in Nakameguro
This popular sake shindig features over 150 varieties of Japan’s finest spirit from 35 sake makers hailing from all over the country – and for two hours, you can sample the lot. The ¥3,000 ticket price doesn’t just include the all-you-can-drink plan; you’ll also be treated to live music and comedy performances plus there are shopping booths so you can take home your new favourite tipple...
Komazawa Oktoberfest
While it is one of the more popular Bavarian beer fests in Tokyo, this Setagaya soiree at Komazawa Park doesn't really bring anything original to the table: you'll find the familiar sausages and quality German beer served from hefty glass tankards, plus contributions from Japanese craft breweries...
Adachi Fireworks
First held in 1924, this annual firework spectacle shoots about 13,000 rockets into the night sky. Secure a spot by the river bank, lay down your picnic blanket, fill up at the nearby food stalls and prepare for a treat...
Tokyo Hula Festa in Ikebukuro
Spreading out all over Ikebukuro, the annual Hula Festival paints the area in distinctly Hawaiian colours. Outdoor gigs by Hawaiian bands and a dizzying variety of food and drink stalls complement the main event − as of last year, 181 teams and up to 5,000 dancers showed off their hula skills across six stages...
Washi Tape Jamboree
Usually made from washi paper, Japanese masking tape is a popular stationery item often used for decorating. At this jamboree, there’ll be a total of over 1,000 different kinds of washi tapes with varying colors and patterns that you won’t find in your local stationery shops...
Good Music Party
The annual Tropical Disco event is back this year, but with a new name: Good Music Party. The ten-day soiree, stretched over a few weekends from July to September, takes place on the desert island Sarushima, close to Yokosuka in the neighbouring prefecture Kanagawa...
Sumomo Matsuri
According to legend, the warlord Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and his son Yoshiie stopped to pray for victory in the Zenkunen War (1051-1063) at this Fuchu shrine. Their wish was eventually granted, and the Sumomo (named after the plum that Yoriyoshi is said to have offered to the gods) festival began...
Kawasaki Daishi Fuurin-Ichi
Annually held at Kawasaki Daishi temple, this festival is dedicated to traditional Japanese wind bells and has been going on for the better part of two decades now. Chime craftspeople from Hokkaido to Okinawa peddle their wares (which number in the tens of thousands), there's a recycling corner for old and decrepit bells, and tasty festival food is of course also available...
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine Wind Chime Festival
Known as a 'love shrine', Kawagoe Hikawa out in Saitama attracts plenty of fed-up singles looking for help in finding the partner of their dreams. This relatively new summer festival is another chance to do just that, as the hot summer night atmosphere and pretty light-ups ensure that love will be in the air. Colourful fuurin (wind chimes) adorn the grounds and the food and drink stalls include a shrine café...
Fuurin Matsuri
Find a pretty wind bell made of glass (fuurin) at this annual festival taking place at Adachi's Nishiarai Daishi temple. Craftspeople from all over the country will be peddling their wares, exhibiting a staggering variety of colours, shapes and sounds. As well as shopping for wind bells, you can also join a wind-bell painting workshop and watch live performances...
Midtown Loves Summer
Tokyo Midtown gears up for the hot season with a packed programme of summery fun. The complex interior will be decorated with wind chimes, while the expansive outdoor lawn, which will be illuminated at night, is where to dip your feet in a cool stream or sit down for some refreshments at the Roku Midpark Lounge...
Fruits in Tea – Tea More Omotesando
Popular British tea brand Lipton is back with its annual pop-up shop in Omotesando, offering refreshing iced tea beverages to go (¥600 for cup; ¥1,000 for tumbler). Create your own drink by simply choosing one of the three base teas: cold brew earl grey, rooibos or green tea. Then, upgrade it with fresh fruits (pineapples, strawberries, kiwi and more); toppings such as colourful tapioca pearls, lemon collagen jelly and mint; and syrups including hibiscus, apricot and passion fruit...
Samurai Mania!
This comprehensive exhibition focuses on one of the most celebrated Japanese icons – the samurai. There will be a variety of head to toe armour from different eras on display, some are actual specimens from the past while others are modern reproductions...
Sports x Manga
In preparation of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, Panasonic, one of the sponsors, is fueling the hype for the upcoming Games with a special exhibition, showcasing 100 works of Japanese sports manga. Look forward to famous football comic ‘Captain Tsubasa’, high school basketball story ‘Kuroko’s Basketball’ and the '80s baseball-themed manga 'Touch', all displayed using the latest in Panasonic technology, such as projectors and LCD panels...
Walkman in the Park
To celebrate the Walkman’s 40th anniversary, 40 celebrities including Ichiro Yamaguchi, frontman of famous Japanese rock band Sakanaction, and professional ballet dancer Nozomi Iijima will be talking about their best memories with the portable music player. At the exhibition, take a walk down memory lane as you examine the evolution of this revolutionary music device through the years since its invention in 1979...
World Press Photo Exhibition 2019
This eye-opening exhibition features some of the most impactful, newsworthy images captured by leading photojournalists from around the world. This year, the World Press Contest received a staggering 78,801 entries from 4,738 photographers. The images are deeply moving and often shocking, encapsulating some of the most harrowing moments of global events that made headlines in recent years...
Rainbow Sushi
[Sponsored] This summer, international sushi chef Jiro Onoda will be hosting a series of classes focused on making rainbow sushi. Don’t worry, you don’t need any cooking experience to join. The classes are open to anyone interested to learn how to make sushi using traditional Edo-style techniques. The vibrant rolls are inspired by colours of the rainbow, and Onoda only uses all-natural ingredients to create the many-hued assortments...
Free things to do this week
Tokyo Hula Festa in Ikebukuro
Spreading out all over Ikebukuro, the annual Hula Festival paints the area in distinctly Hawaiian colours. Outdoor gigs by Hawaiian bands and a dizzying variety of food and drink stalls complement the main event − as of last year, 181 teams and up to 5,000 dancers showed off their hula skills across six stages. If you feel like swinging your hips too, start at the hula workshop or join the open Hula Night.
Sumomo Matsuri
According to legend, the warlord Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and his son Yoshiie stopped to pray for victory in the Zenkunen War (1051-1063) at this Fuchu shrine. Their wish was eventually granted, and the Sumomo (named after the plum that Yoriyoshi is said to have offered to the gods) festival began. You'll be able to try the plums for yourself at the many food stalls set up on the grounds, and if you're an amateur farmer, don't forget to participate in waving a fan decorated with drawings of crows – this is supposed to help keep the birds away from your crops.
Kawasaki Daishi Fuurin-Ichi
Annually held at Kawasaki Daishi temple, this festival is dedicated to traditional Japanese wind bells and has been going on for the better part of two decades now. Chime craftspeople from Hokkaido to Okinawa peddle their wares (which number in the tens of thousands), there's a recycling corner for old and decrepit bells, and tasty festival food is of course also available.
Photography exhibition: Yanagi-gori
In her new exhibition, photographer Noriko Yamaguchi documents the traditional yanagi-gori, which is the art of weaving willow and bamboo straps into trunks and baskets. For this series, she focuses on Japan's most renowned wickerwork craftsman Takumi Terauchi, putting a spotlight on his life's work in Toyooka (Hyogo prefecture), and his admirable efforts in preserving this 1,200-year-old art form.
Washi Tape Jamboree
Usually made from washi paper, Japanese masking tape is a popular stationery item often used for decorating. At this jamboree, there’ll be a total of over 1,000 different kinds of washi tapes with varying colors and patterns that you won’t find in your local stationery shops. Limited-edition items will be available here as well as prototypes that haven’t been officially released yet.
Komazawa Oktoberfest
While it is one of the more popular Bavarian beer fests in Tokyo, this Setagaya soiree at Komazawa Park doesn't really bring anything original to the table: you'll find the familiar sausages and quality German beer served from hefty glass tankards, plus contributions from Japanese craft breweries – exactly what the masses desire. This year's edition features the German oom-pah band Die Kirchdorfer, who have been firing up the crowds at the original Oktoberfest in Munich since 1994.
Festival Brazil
Expect a colourful, caipirinha-fuelled, energy-packed couple of days as the Brazil Festival takes over Yoyogi Park's event square. There’ll be plenty of live music and dancing including bossa nova singers, percussionists and capoeira performances, plus grilled meats, churros and a lineup of fruity beverages. Organised by the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, the theme this year is ‘From Rio to Tokyo’, with Rio de Janeiro's famous samba team ‘Rainha de Bateria’ (Queen of the Drum) making an appearance. With over 300,000 Brazilians living in Japan, it’s safe to say the festival will get a good turn out.
Edogawa Goldfish Festival
The Edogawa area has been known for its goldfish breeding since the late 1800s, and this festival also boasts decades of history. Stroll around admiring shiny specimens of more than 20 kinds, buy some for your own aquarium, or try kingyo sukui (goldfish scooping). Great for families with small kids – especially if you live nearby.
Screen＠Shinjuku Central Park
Free movie nights, anyone? This year's Screen@Shinjuku Central Park will be screening four blockbusters over four consecutive days. The line up consists of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (Jul 24), ‘Men in Black’ (Jul 25), ‘Stand by Me’ (Jul 26) and 'The Greatest Showman' (Jul 27). Make sure to stock up on booze and festival fare sold at the on-site food stalls before grabbing a seat in front of the large screen.
Fuurin Matsuri
Find a pretty wind bell made of glass (fuurin) at this annual festival taking place at Adachi's Nishiarai Daishi temple. Craftspeople from all over the country will be peddling their wares, exhibiting a staggering variety of colours, shapes and sounds. As well as shopping for wind bells, you can also join a wind-bell painting workshop and watch live performances.