This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Jan 6-8

Another year, another opportunity to go out in the big city and start exploring all the fun and cultural activities it has to offer! The first week of January is really all about that — and burning some of that holiday season-accumulated calories. Do that through art exhibitions, ice skating and various traditional New Year's experiences. Enjoy!

Let It Snow

Snow Aquarium by Naked

This weekend, come enjoy the winter wonderland created with lights, projection mapping, music, and most of all―creativity. Naked once again presents us a magical collaboration of marine life and art. Also, don’t miss out on the original cocktails such as “Frozen Jewelry” with lychee liqueur and blue curacao for an elegant time with your friends and lovers.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, FEB. 25, 2018

Time

10 A.M.-10 P.M.

Location

AQUA PARK SHINAGAWA, 4-10-30 TAKANAWA, MINATO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥2,200 (ADULTS)

More Info

© Photo by ©Keiko Tanabe

Memorable Performance

Fuerza Bruta Wa! Wonder Japanese Experience

Some things you have to see to believe. And when we say "some," we think of Fuerza Bruta. Wa! Wonder Japanese Experience, the Japan interpretation of the world-renowned Argentinian show, is a show that will have your head puzzled from start to end: there's water, there's dancing, there's a pool above you, taiko drums, running, steam, more running, more water... and just an endless round of applause. The Japan-inspired show can only be seen here in Tokyo, so book your tickets now — every yen spent on this show is worth it 150%.

Date

Now through February 28, 2018

Time

Various (check website for details)

Location

Stellar Ball, Shinagawa Prince Hotel, 4-10-30 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥4,785 – ¥16,500 (VIP with champagne). Purchase tickets online.

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New Year’s Luck

Torigoe Shrine Tondoyaki

A tradition dating back to the Heian Period, Tondoyaki, or the burning of new year decorations, is a symbolic farewell to the gods that have been welcomed in the New Year’s time. The Tondoyaki at Torigoe Shrine is held every January 8th, bringing hundreds of visitors every year. It's said that if the smoke from the bonfire blows over you, you are blessed with good health throughout the year, so come get your yearly dose of luck.

Date

MON, JAN. 8, 2018

Time

FROM 1 P.M.

Location

TORIGOE SHRINE, 5 MINS WALK FROM TOEI ASAKUSA LINE KURAMAE STATION

Fee

FREE

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Shining Bright

Sagamiko Illumillion

The largest of its kind in the Kanto region, the Illumillion display at Sagami Lake Resort Pleasure Forest in Kanagawa Prefecture is lit up by 6 million LED lights and is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been there yet. It is, literally, an endless carpet of lights of all colors and shapes, presented in various themes. Romantic, beautiful, and breathtaking. A great venue for couples, friends, and the whole family (including dogs), this is an amusement park where kids can enjoy a full day of entertainment while waiting for the illumination to start.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, APR. 8, 2018 (CHECK WEBSITE FOR CLOSED DATES)

Time

4 P.M.-9 P.M. (WEEKDAYS), 4 P.M.-9:30 P.M. (WEEKENDS)

Location

1634 WAKAYANAGI, MIDORI-KU, SAGAMIHARA-SHI, KANAGAWA

Fee

GENERAL ¥800 (WEEKDAYS), ¥1,000 (WEEKENDS)

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Winter Wonderland

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Art Rink

Yokohama's Akarenga celebrates its 13th year hosting this annual winter fun. This event is not only special because of the beautiful winter scenery of Yokohama, but it also offers a collab like no other of art and ice. This year's collaboration art was made by talented, award-winning art students from a high school in Yokohama. If you get cold and hungry, get your grab of hot panini sandwiches and a warm cup of hot cocoa to warm up at Hot Hot Cafe. Make your 2018 a smooth start!

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, FEB. 18, 2018

Time

11 A.M.-10 P.M. (UNTIL JAN. 8 AND WEEKENDS), 1 P.M.-10 P.M. (WEEKDAYS)

Location

YOKOHAMA REDBRICK WAREHOUSE, 1-1 SHIN MINATO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA

Fee

¥500 (ADULTS), ¥400 (ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL), ¥300 (ABOVE 3 YEARS OLD)

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Metro Adventures

Tokyo Metro: The Underground Mysteries 2017

If you're looking for an adventurous time with your partners, family or even colleagues, this game is a must-try. The Underground Mysteries is a joint project by Tokyo Metro and puzzle event creator Scrap that will have you scratch your head as you explore some of Tokyo's best locations. Your goal? Solve the final question on the puzzle guidebook included in the game kit to officially call yourself Japan's Sherlock Holmes.

Date

NOW THROUGH WED, JAN. 31, 2018

Time

GAME KITS SOLD FROM 7:40 A.M. TO 8 P.M

Location

AROUND TOKYO METRO STATIONS. BUY GAME KITS AT TOKYO METRO PASS OFFICE AT UENO STATION OR SHINJUKU STATION. (KITS ARE SOLD AT SHINJUKU STATION ONLY ON WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.)

Fee

¥2,160 PER GAME KIT

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Traditional New Year Fun

Yuru Cafe International Mochi-Making Party

The Toshima-based local Urban Meetup Tokyo community invites you to start off 2018 with a traditional rice cake making experience. Make new friends this weekend while savoring the freshly pounded mochi and other Oshogatsu-themed fun. Reservations are not required, so come join in on the fun!

Date

SAT, JAN. 7, 2018

Time

9 A.M.-1 P.M.

Location

YURU CAFE, 3-10-6 ZOSHIGAYA, TOSHIMA, TOKYO

Fee

FREE

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Intersecting Dreams

Exhibition: Van Gogh & Japan

In the height of Japonisme boom around Europe in the 19th century, Vincent van Gogh was also one of the artists influenced by the delicate Japanese ukiyo-e art. This joint exhibition with the Van Gogh Museum presents oil paintings, woodblock prints, and sketches from museums of the world. In the first section, it includes 40 artworks by Van Gogh that explore the influence of Japonisme. The second section, on the other hand, tells us a story of how Japanese artists aspired to and adopted Van Gogh's art style.

Date

NOW THROUGH MON, JAN. 8, 2018

Time

11 A.M.-9 P.M. (UNTIL 10 P.M. ON FRI, SAT)

Location

TOKYO METROPOLITAN ART MUSEUM, 8-36 UENO KOEN, TAITO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,600 (GENERAL)

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Breaking The Ice

Yebisu Garden Rink

Long known as one of the most prominent date spots in Tokyo, Yebisu presents us another romantic opportunity to enjoy the winter fun and cuddle with our significant other. Get your romance on nowhere but at a special rink made out of synthetic plastic panels with interactive lights and projection mapping of all colors and patterns. Note that gloves are required while skating, but can be purchased at the rink if you forget yours.

Date

NOW THROUGH FRI, FEB. 23, 2018

Time

11 A.M.-8 P.M.

Location

YEBISU GARDEN PLACE, 4-20 EBISU, SHIBUYA, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,200 (GENERAL)

More Info

© Photo by Jun Sato

A Dome Of Lights

Illuminations: Tokyo Dome City Winter Lights Garden

One of the largest illuminations sites in Tokyo, the Tokyo Dome Illuminations are spread throughout the entire dome area, including magnificent tunnels of lights, decorated Christmas trees and a mini-Tokyo Dome right in front of La Qua shopping center. This year’s illumination theme is “sweets,” with one of the main must-see spots including Hansel and Gretel’s cottage covered with over 2 million LED lights. If you have to choose one spot for your winter illuminations journey, let this be the one!

Date

NOW THROUGH FEB 18, 2018

Time

4 P.M.-12 A.M.

Location

TOKYO DOME CITY, 1-3-61 KORAKU, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE

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Japanese Art And The World

Art Exhibition: Hokusai and Japonisme

One of the most renowned Japanese artists of all times, Katsushika Hokusai is known for his major influence in art history, in and out of Japan. The exhibition examines how Hokusai contributed to the development of modern Western art. On display are 220 works of Western art, 40 color woodblock prints, and 70 woodblock-printed books.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, JAN. 28, 2018

Time

9:30 A.M.-5:30 P.M. (UNTIL 8 P.M. ON FRI AND SAT, CLOSED ON MONDAYS)

Location

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART, TOKYO, 7-7 UENO-KOEN, TAITO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,600 (ADULTS)

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Taking A Closer Look

Takashi Homma: Twenty Six Gasoline Stations/ Royal Road Test/ Babycakes

A photographer first coming to light in the ‘80s before moving to London for i-D magazine, Takashi Homma frames gas stations, sweets, and other objects and sceneries in our everyday lives, inviting us to take a closer look in what we usually fail to notice. The title of his latest project, Twenty-six Gasoline Stations, refers to a series by Ed Ruscha and suggests the intention of the book to serve as an homage to the legendary lensman.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, JAN. 21, 2018

Time

12 P.M.-8 P.M.

Location

POST, 1F 2-10-3 EBISU MINAMI, SHIBUYA, TOKYO

Fee

FREE

More Info