Things to do in Tokyo this week

Continuing Tokyo’s trend of dazzling nighttime projection mapping events, digital creative company Hitohata is bringing its Asakusa Culture & Lights show to Sensoji Temple for the very first time. This projection mapping showcase celebrates the history and culture of the iconic temple in the heart of Asakusa.

The nightly shows feature high-resolution digital animations created using cutting-edge technology and displayed at three locations within the temple grounds: the south side of Hozomon Gate facing Kaminarimon Gate, Sensoji’s signature five-storey pagoda, and the smaller Nitenmon Gate by the temple’s east entrance. These light-ups are free to view, happening daily from December 3 to December 7 between 5.30pm and 9.30pm. 

Alongside the brilliant light-ups, the temple is also offering paid daytime and nighttime viewings of the Denboin Garden; the daytime session includes exclusive access to the Ema Hall, home to Edo-era votive plaques. Be sure to book tickets in advance to attend these viewings.

As one of Japan’s ‘big three’ float festivals (along with Kyoto’s Gion Festival and the Hida Takayama Festival), this festival has been Chichibu’s main event in December for 350 years. The festival’s showcase attractions are six elaborately carved floats resplendent with lanterns, which are pulled along and then hoisted up by men in mawashi loincloths.

The climax of the festival is the evening of December 3, when the floats – each weighing up to 20 tonnes – depart from Chichibu Shrine and make their way to Otabisho Square adjacent to Chichibu City Hall. There, you can see the brilliantly illuminated sansha floats accompanied by a fireworks display, made even more stunning against the crisp winter air.

Rikugien is one of the best gardens in Tokyo to immerse yourself in beautiful Japanese landscapes. There’s no bad time to see the garden, but we do admit it’s especially picturesque in autumn, when the leaves take on vibrant shades of red and yellow.

From November 28 to December 9, Rikugien stays open until 8.30pm for its annual light-up. The trees in the garden are bathed in golden lights so that the brilliant colours of the changing leaves stand out even more, providing stunning views.

Aside from admiring the autumn foliage, don’t forget to drop by the garden’s dozo (storehouse). Its earthen walls serve as the canvas for a beautiful daily projection show between 6pm and 8.30pm. 

We recommend purchasing illumination tickets online in advance, as they’re limited and available at a discounted price of ¥1,000. The online ticket portal will open in late October. Otherwise, tickets can be purchased at the door for ¥1,200.

The park will close temporarily at 5pm, and reopen at 6pm for the night opening.

Otaguro Park in Suginami's residential district of Minami-Ogikubo is a popular spot for admiring colourful autumn leaves, especially after sunset. At night, the main path leading to the Japanese garden – lined with century-old ginkgo trees – glows in vibrant yellow, while the garden’s fiery red maples are illuminated and mirrored on the still pond, creating picture-perfect photo ops.

In Germany and many other parts of Europe, Christmas markets transform central city squares into charming, romantic destinations with decorations, festive lights, hot spiced wine, sweets and stalls selling local crafts.

The Tokyo Christmas Market brings this same spirit to Japan, with a festive selection of food, drinks and European-style ornaments. There’s even a 14-metre-high Christmas pyramid installation brought over from a German village (the Christmas pyramid may be unfamiliar, but it actually has a history as old as the Christmas tree). Returning for the 10th time this holiday season, the Tokyo Christmas Market has become a familiar highlight of the city’s festive season calendar.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online, which comes with a free mug. (Adult tickets only)

German-inspired Christmas markets are taking Tokyo by storm, and this one is no exception. Tokyo Solamachi Christmas Market offers all the usual attractions like wooden stalls with various holiday accessories, beer, warm glühwein, hot chocolate and traditional confectionery such as stollen cake and waffles. The lighting in the market area combines nicely with the golden winter illuminations at Tokyo Skytree and the four-metre-tall Christmas tree, creating a homely atmosphere at Solamachi’s Sky Arena.

The Christmas market is open daily until 10pm.

Now in its 19th year, Roppongi Hills’s popular German-style Christmas market is modelled after the market in the German city of Stuttgart. At O-yane Plaza, you’ll find handmade ornaments and nutcracker decorations from Käthe Wohlfahrt, plus classic carols and plenty of festive décor. When you get hungry and thirsty, there are Christmas market staples such as sausages and beer to enjoy. Don’t miss the nearby illuminations at Roppongi’s Keyakizaka Street, which add to the festive atmosphere.

One of Tokyo’s newest Christmas markets, located in the Azabudai Hills complex, is returning this holiday season with more than 15 stalls set up in the Central Green. This event's centrepiece is a giant Christmas fir tree decorated with five different types of lights that gently illuminate the market in champagne gold. Treats include everything from sausages and vegetables topped with melted raclette cheese and hot chocolate served by Hills House Dining 33, to mulled wine, goulash, pretzels and bratwursts from German Christmas Stand. Even vegans, who are often overlooked at these annual food markets, have something to keep their spirits high, with plant-based foods like gluten-free stollen from Eightablish.

Knick-knacks on offer include Christmas ornaments, elaborate Christmas cards and festive mugs, but we’ve got our eyes on Balcony by 6th’s popular Basque cheesecakes and juicy fried chicken — a true Japanese Christmas staple.

Head to Omotesando’s Spiral building for this special Christmas Market with the theme of ‘Space Christmas’. Browse a large selection of crafts, designs and artworks by over 50 artists. Between December 5-9 and December 12-16, you can shop for crafts, jewellery and fashion, which all make for great Christmas gifts. 

Meanwhile from December 19 until Christmas Day, you’ll find works that can be used in everyday life, from up-and-coming artists selected by Spiral staff and other contemporary art galleries. The prominent Christmas tree installation at the venue’s atrium is adorned with decorations by Japanese artist Aoyama Yume.

Check the event website for the full schedule.

Mt Takao is one of the most picturesque destinations in Tokyo to see autumn leaves. And one of the best ways to do that is by taking the scenic cable car ride, which brings you closer to the mountain’s Yakuoin temple. Here you can sample shojin ryori, a traditional Japanese Buddhist vegetarian meal. To secure a lunchtime seat, be sure to book a reservation for two or more people at least two days in advance via phone.

The best time to see the autumn leaves for 2025 is mid to late November, when the foliage around the cable car tracks turns deep orange and red.

Throughout the duration of the festival, you can also look forward to a host of free events at Kiyotaki Station, the cable car stop at the base of Mt Takao, including musical and dance performances by local university students. While details are yet to be announced for 2025, check the event's English website for the latest updates.

As is the case every year, the base of Mt Takao will be crowded in autumn, so it’s best to arrive via public transport.

The 400m-long Keyakizaka Street next to the Roppongi Hills shopping centre is lighting up with 930,000 sparkling white and blue LEDs until Christmas Day. From the pedestrian bridge near the Roppongi Hills Arena, you'll get a stunning view of the trees covered in shimmering lights, with Tokyo Tower in the background, from 5pm to 11pm daily. 

Marunouchi Street Park, which comprises the areas along Marunouchi Naka-dori and Gyoko-dori streets, is illuminated with festive lights in the evening. Coinciding with the illuminations, there will be a Christmas market serving baked goods and hot beverages on both streets until December 25, as well as stalls offering Western antiques. In front of the Marunouchi Nichome Building, you’ll find plenty of benches to rest on while enjoying live music (times are yet to be announced).

Also, don’t miss the brilliantly lit Christmas trees along Gyoko-dori – making their debut in 2025. This picturesque street offers a stunning view of the iconic Tokyo Station building, plus ten festive food stalls dishing out hearty winter favourites like homemade pizza, hot dogs and stew.

The illuminations take place daily from 11am to 10pm. Gyoko-dori markets begin on November 28.

Enoshima’s annual illumination is widely touted as one of the three biggest and most impressive light-up events in Greater Tokyo, alongside the ones at Ashikaga Flower Park and Sagamiko. There are about 10 illumination spots scattered across the hilly island – including the Enoshima Shrine, Ryuren Bell of Love on Lover's Hill and Nakatsumiya Square – so put on some comfortable shoes as you’ll be trekking a lot.

Don’t miss the main attraction located at the island’s iconic Enoshima Sea Candle lighthouse, which is decked out in 70m-long strings of lights stretching from the tip of the tower to the ground, creating a formation similar to the silhouette of Mt Fuji.

The Samuel Cocking Garden, where the Sea Candle is located, is transformed into the dreamy Hoseki (bejewelled) Forest, where everything from the ground and the grass to the trees are covered in purple lights. Keep an eye out for the Shonan Chandelier tunnel, all decked out with luxurious crystal beads and LED lights. New for 2025, the Samuel Cocking Garden will also feature a dazzling sea urchin-inspired installation created by MirrorBowler.

Most attractions are open from 5pm to 8pm (until 9pm on weekends and holidays). You can see some of the light-ups on Enoshima for free, but you will need a ticket (¥500, children ¥250) to enter the Samuel Cocking Garden, which hosts the largest illuminations.

If you're on the island early during daylight hours, head over to Enoshima Iwaya (¥500, children ¥200), as the island's famous cave, created by decades of wave erosion, is bedecked with sparkling lights from 9am to 5pm.

Package tickets, including entrance to Enoshima Sea Candle, Samuel Cocking Garden, and Esca escalators, can be purchased for ¥1,550 (¥750) via Emot.

If you’re looking for the most OTT illumination in Tokyo, this is it. Yomiuri Land's annual winter light show will bedazzle even the most jaded illumination-fiend. As the name suggests, jewels are the focus here: literally millions of colourful LEDs are set up throughout the vast theme park evoking sparkling gems. The park is split into ten areas where you will be treated to beautifully lit attractions. 

In addition to the 180-metre rainbow-lit Jewellery Promenade and the 140-metre Crystal Passage illumination tunnel, you can also admire the newly built 'Sky-Go-Land' Ferris wheel, which features a special two-sided light display — a dazzling diamond pattern on the east side and elegant gold on the west. The highlight, however, is the fountain show, with water illuminated in different colours and sprayed into the air to create stunning shapes. There are three kinds of show happening every 15 minutes from 5pm daily. Also look out for the fountain’s flames and lasers, which are synchronised to music.

 There will be no illuminations from March 2 to March 13, 2026.

Everyone loves Chiikawa right now. Get your fill of the mischievous characters created by Japanese illustrator Nagano in Shibuya, where the franchise’s official ramen shop returns for a limited time. Located on the basement floor of Shibuya Parco, it deals in ramen of the pork variety, hence the buta (pig) in the name. The ramen is served in three sizes: Chiikawa (mini), Hachiware (small) and Usagi (large). Each bowl will come with a novelty sticker, featuring either Chiikawa, Hachiware or Usagi depending on the bowl you ordered.

As for drinks, the Shisa Mandarin Soda is a must-try, named after the hard-working lion dog and ramen shop assistant in the Chiikawa universe. Each drink comes with a novelty character card, which you can draw at random from a selection of 10 characters.

Visitors who grab a bite of the ramen are also allowed exclusive access to the adjacent merch shop, complete with limited-edition goods – think T-shirts, ramen bowls, beer jugs and towels featuring the adorable Chiikawa.

The Tokyo Biennale returns with an invitation to explore the city through the theme ‘Wander for Wonder’. From October 17 to December 14, the international art festival transforms the capital into a living gallery, bringing together 38 artist groups from seven countries in a city-wide celebration of walking, discovery and creativity.

Taking place across two main venues – Ueno’s 400-year-old Kan’eiji Temple and the Etoile Kaito Living Building – alongside six exhibition areas including Ueno, Kanda, Nihonbashi and Marunouchi, the Biennale blends contemporary art with Tokyo’s deep cultural layers. Installations emerge at temples, across public spaces, in shops and vacant properties, creating a unique urban tapestry of expression and memory.

Curated to be a ‘social dive’, the Biennale encourages visitors to encounter art through movement, echoing the artistic legacies of walking-based practices by figures such as Yoko Ono and Gabriel Orozco. As people stroll through neighbourhoods and engage with their surroundings, each step becomes part of a creative process.

Tokyo Biennale 2025 looks set to be a journey of serendipitous encounters, offering a fresh lens on the city’s untold stories and its vibrant potential for connection through art.

Many of the exhibitions and events at the Tokyo Biennale are free. However, select exhibitions charge entrance fees. For those seeking a comprehensive experience, all-access passes are available for ¥3,000 per adult (or ¥2,500 if purchased in advance) and ¥1,800 for students (advance passes ¥1,500). These passes grant unlimited access to all venues during the festival period.

For a detailed program and more information, visit the Tokyo Biennale’s website.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building in Shinjuku serves as the backdrop for a jaw-dropping and record-breaking projection mapping show. Covering an area of a whopping 13,905sqm, the after-dark spectacle has been certified by Guinness World Records as the largest permanent display of its kind in the world.

The nightly showcase features a range of visual wonders created by a mix of local and international artists. Some shows are inspired by Tokyo’s rich history, while others draw on themes like the lunar cycle. 

Currently, on weeknights, you can catch striking visuals synchronised to ‘Idol’ and 'Butai ni tatte' by hit Japanese pop duo Yoasobi as well as ‘Pac-Man eats Tokyo’, ‘Lunar Cycle’, ‘Synergy’, ‘Poetic Structures’ and ‘Golden Fortune’. On weekends, you can look forward to a showcase featuring 'Godzilla: Attack on Tokyo!', the aforementioned ‘Butai ni tatte (Yoasobi)’ as well as ‘Tokyo Concerto’ and ‘TYO337’, a display featuring motifs of traditional Japanese performing arts such as Kabuki paired with electronic beats. 

From April 26, ‘Tokyo Gundam in the Future’, a brand new projection mapping show featuring a Gundam with a newly reimagined Mobile Suit colour scheme, will begin on weekends and holidays every hour from 7pm (7.30pm from May 10). Be sure to check the event website for more details.

Shows take place every night at half-hour intervals from 7.30pm (Sep from 7.30pm, Oct from 6pm, Nov & Dec from 5.30pm) to 9.45pm. For more details and to check the full programme of daily projection mapping shows, visit here.

From November 14 to January 12, Tokyo City View hosts 'All of Evangelion', an art exhibition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved Evangelion franchise. 

As its name suggests, the exhibition spans the entirety of Evangelion's decades-long history, featuring everything from original cels and drawings from the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series to never-before-seen digital materials from the Rebuild of Evangelion films.

Tsukasa Hojo’s popular manga City Hunter debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1985, and the action comedy series has since become firmly established in the Japanese comics canon. The story follows the charismatic but easily distracted private investigator Ryo Saeba, an inveterate womaniser, as he takes on high-stakes missions in Tokyo, helping those in need while navigating an ever-expanding cast of allies and adversaries. Known for its gripping blend of action, humour and heartfelt moments, City Hunter has inspired anime adaptations, films, and live-action interpretations around the world.

To commemorate the manga’s 40th anniversary, the Ueno Royal Museum will be hosting ‘Forever, City Hunter’ from November 22 to December 28 2025. The special showcase is set to feature a vast collection of original artwork, tracing the series’ evolution over four decades. Fans will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of City Hunter through rare illustrations, behind-the-scenes sketches, and iconic moments that have defined the series.

Sharing his thoughts on the milestone, Tsukasa Hojo humorously noted that while protagonist Ryo Saeba repeatedly proclaims himself ‘twenty years old’ (regardless of his real age), City Hunter is now celebrating its ‘second coming-of-age ceremony’. Here’s to hoping that Ryo’s adventures will continue to resonate with readers for decades to come.

Pop art impresario Andy Warhol (1928–1987) blurred the boundaries between high culture and mass consumption, transforming everyday objects and the faces of celebrities into icons of contemporary art. His fascination with fame, beauty and repetition made him both a mirror of his age and a relentless critic of it, leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate in today’s image-saturated culture.

Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo’s ‘Serial Portraits’ showcase is part of the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s Hors-les-murs program, which brings highlights from its Paris collection to audiences worldwide. This free exhibition focuses on Warhol’s radical reinvention of portraiture, from his playful photo booth experiments in the early 1960s to the spectral self-portraits he made shortly before his death.

Highlights like the Self-Portraits series (1977–1986) are displayed alongside both celebrated and lesser-known works to offer insight into Warhol’s evolving exploration of identity, celebrity and the endless possibilities of repetition. By juxtaposing iconic images with hidden gems, the exhibition reveals how Warhol turned portraiture into a stage for both personal reflection and cultural critique.

The Watari-um’s ‘One More’ brings together two global icons of contemporary urban art: Brazilian twins Osgemeos and American artist Barry McGee. Emerging from graffiti and street culture, both artists have redefined the boundaries between public art and the museum space, infusing walls, cities and galleries around the world with vivid colour, rhythm and humanity.

Known for their dreamlike murals and whimsical characters, Osgemeos have exhibited from the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington to Milan’s Pirelli HangarBicocca. McGee, celebrated for his bold, socially engaged work under the tag ‘Twist’, has been a central figure in the American street art scene, showing monumental installations at SFMOMA and the Venice Biennale.

With ‘One More’, the duo transforms the Watari-um into a dynamic playground of imagination. Conceived as a spontaneous dialogue between long-time friends and collaborators, the exhibition blurs the lines between painting, sculpture, animation and installation. Expect a universe where urban energy meets poetic introspection – a celebration of creativity, community, and the enduring spirit of the streets that inspires the artists.

Portuguese filmmaker Pedro Costa has long been recognised as one of contemporary cinema’s most uncompromising and visionary voices. Emerging in the 1980s, Costa quickly established a distinctive style defined by stark contrasts of light and shadow, rigorously composed frames, and an unflinching gaze at the margins of society.

His films, such as In Vanda’s Room (2000), which captured the daily struggles of Cape Verdean immigrants in Lisbon’s Fontainhas district, marry documentary intensity with painterly precision. Acclaimed internationally, Costa’s work has extended beyond the cinema screen to major exhibitions, including ‘Company’ (Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, 2018) and ‘The Song of Pedro Costa’ (Spain, 2022-23).

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum presents Costa’s ‘Innervisions’ until December 7. Inspired by Stevie Wonder’s 1973 album of the same name, which profoundly influenced Costa’s youth, the exhibition reflects on the interplay between individual lives and wider social realities. The show introduces characters that play vital roles in the artist’s oeuvre, alongside the environments they inhabit, situating Costa’s cinema within its broader sociohistorical context.

Complementing the exhibition, the museum will host Carte Blanche, a film series curated by Costa, together with screenings of his own seminal works. Offering rare insight into the filmmaker’s creative universe, ‘Innervisions’ invites audiences to rediscover the power of cinema as both art and social critique.