This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Nov. 17-18
Autumn Colors, Community Festivals, And Fun In The City
Tokyo's trees are slowly changing colors and the city is wholeheartedly ready to embrace the second best picture-perfect season in Japan: Autumn. Here are our top 10 events for the week, all of which perfectly capture the essence of early autumn — namely, the joy of going out in the city and enjoying the lovely weather!
Help Rewrite The Future Of Cancer Patients
PurpleStride Tokyo Charity Run & Walk
Join fellow Tokyoites for a fun day out to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer research. Choose between a 5k walk, or a 5k or 10k run. The running course is around the Imperial Palace, so you'll have a stunning view to enjoy while supporting an important cause. There will also be live music and dance entertainment, as well as plenty of food stalls to enjoy too!
- Date
- Sun, Nov 18, 2018
- Time
- Registration opens at 9:30 am (you can register on the day); Opening Ceremony from 10 a.m.
- Location
- Fountain Square, Hibiya Park, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥3,500 (Over 12yo, includes souvenir T-shirt); ¥1,200 (Ages 6 to 12)
- Info
- Recommended for: Everyone!
All-You-Can-Eat Japan
All Japan Bussanten
Food, food, and more food. From Okinawa’s dragon fruit curry to Nara’s minced beef steak cutlets, here you can eat till you drop! Bringing over 150 thousand visitors and 360 exhibitors last year, this event aims to revitalize Japan's rural areas by offering their best food selections in the heart of Tokyo. If you love Japanese food, you won't miss this event.
- Date
- FRI, NOV. 16 - SUN, NOV. 18, 2018
- Time
- 10 A.M.-7 P.M. (SUN UNTIL 6 P.M.)
- Location
- IKEBUKURO SUNSHINE CITY HALL A AND B, 3-1 HIGASHI-IKEBUKURO, TOSHIMA-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, FAMILY, COUPLES, FOODIES
Scent Of Autumn
Jingugaien Ginkgo Festival
Held every year in the fall season, the Ginkgo Festival is back again in Jingugaien. The marvelous yellow leaves along the ginkgo alley is one sight not to be missed! The festival is also known for its variety of food, this year with 40 vendors altogether selling everything from Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and grilled oyster to warm drinks fit for the season. A perfect event to taste, feel, and smell autumn all at once.
- Date
- FRI, NOV. 16 - SUN, DEC. 2, 2018
- Time
- 10 A.M.-5:30 P.M.
- Location
- GAIEN ICHO NAMIKI WATER FOUNTAIN AREA, 2 KASUMIGAOKAMACHI, SHINJUKU-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, FAMILies, COUPLES, Solo Dates
Sweet Sensations
Ruby Chocolate Afternoon Tea
Embrace the launch of the world's first ruby chocolate afternoon tea set, a plate of 16 exquisite sweet and savory bites that are just too pretty to eat. Known as the fourth type of chocolate (after dark, milk and white), the ruby chocolate was introduced to the world in 2017 and now it's becoming the next it thing — surely so here in Japan. Definitely worth the try!
- Date
- Until Mon, Dec. 31, 2018
- Time
- 12 p.m.-6 p.m. (Weekdays), 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. (Weekends and National Holidays)
- Location
- Ana Intercontinental Tokyo, Atrium Lounge, 1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥6,400
- Info
- Recommended for: Foodies, Sweet Tooths, Friends, Couples, Solo Dates
Viva Espana!
Spain Festival
Flamenco, paella, wine, and passionate music —how does that sound for a weekend outing? Held for four years straight and bringing over 120,000 visitors last year, the Spain Festival is back again, stronger than ever! Get in the España spirit as you sip your wine and dance the day away to flamenco music.
- Date
- SAT, NOV. 17-SUN, NOV. 18, 2018
- Time
- 10 A.M.-7 P.M.
- Location
- YOYOGI PARK EVENT SQUARE, 2-3 JINNAN, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, families, COUPLES
In Support For Student Diversity
Nishimachi Outreach Walkathon
This Saturday, walk the Meiji Jingu Gaien in support of Nishimachi International School's Outreach Scholarship, a fund created to provide financial support to students from various backgrounds. It's a 1.325km loop course — for a great cause. Don't miss it!
- Date
- SAT, NOV. 17, 2018 (REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SAT, NOV. 17)
- Time
- 8:45 A.M. TO 10:45 A.M.
- Location
- MEIGI JINGU GAIEN CHECK IN: NATIONAL FOUNDATION MONUMENT
- Fee
- ¥4,000 (ADULTS & CHILDREN)
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: Families, FRIENDS, RUNNERS
Our First Step
Universal Children’s Day Youth Festival
To commemorate the Universal Children’s Day (Nov 20), and raise awareness towards issues affecting children’s rights all over the world, the Tokyo-based international human rights NGO, Human Rights Now, annually organizes this charity event. This weekend again, you are invited to join the youth festival with your kids, family and friends to help the organization raise funds for its programs.
- Date
- SAT, NOV. 17, 2018
- Time
- 11 A.M.-6 P.M.
- Location
- UNIVERSITY OF THE SACRED HEART, 4-3-1 HIROO, SHIBUYA, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: Families
© Photo by Jessica EsaThe Times They Are 'A Changin
Exhibition: A Thousand Wonders of Japanese Technology
Trace the history and evolution of Japan as it developed from a nation of black rotary phones to high-tech smartphone that can take your orders and clean your house (almost!). Starting at the beginning of the Meiji era until modern days, this special exhibition displays even walkmans and VHS tapes!
- Date
- Until March 3, 2019
- Time
- 9 a.m.-5 p.m., (9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.) Closed Mondays.
- Location
- National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥1,600 (General)
- Info
- Recommended for: Solo dates, History buffs, Couples, Families
© Photo by https://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/illumination/Winter Lights
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination
Tokyo Dome City is decorated in beautiful LED lights with illumination attraction resembling the Edo period and the essence of Japan. It's never too early to marvel at the sparkling lights with your loved ones!
- Date
- NOW THROUGH SUN, FEB. 17, 2019
- Time
- 4 P.M. TO 2 A.M.
- Location
- TOKYO DOME CITY, 1-3 KORAKU, BUNKYO, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: Couples, FRIENDS, Families, INSTAGRAMERS
Seasonal Delights
Hachioji Gingko Festival
Another ginkgo festival this weekend, the Hachioji edition welcomes visitors to a splendid scenery of the yellow leaves, various stage performances and parades by local dance teams. There will also be a number of booths selling goodies to support the disaster-affected Tohoku region. Of course, good food and drinks are offered as well.
- Date
- SAT, NOV. 17-SUN, NOV. 18, 2018
- Time
- 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. (SAT), 9 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. (SUN)
- Location
- AROUND HACHIOJI station
- Fee
- FREE
- Info
- RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, Families, COUPLES
Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo
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