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Savvy Tokyo

This Golden Week: Tokyo Area Events For Apr 27-May 6

Holiday Special: Exhibitions, Flowers, Gourmet Events And Fun In The City

By The Savvy Team |
April 26, 2019 |
What's Happening

Great news for everyone staying in Tokyo during this 10-day-long Golden Week: there are plenty of events to keep you entertained no matter what your hobbies are. From stunning flower festivals to musicals and classical ballet to all-you-can-eat food and sweets events and international festivals, Tokyo will be steaming hot over the holidays! Here are our 20 picks of the best events for the whole Golden Week to mark the beginning of the Reiwa Era in style!

Drum Inspiration

Drum Tao: Mangekyo Japan Tour

With over 500 performances in 26 countries across the globe, taiko entertainment troupe Drum Tao has done an amazing job in promoting Japanese taiko drums overseas, and this spring they’re back here in Tokyo for their latest “Mangekyo” tour, a powerful mix of tradition and modernity. With a permanent location at the cozy Alternative Theater in Yurakucho, the show runs almost daily through June 30 for its spring edition and through late September for its summer's.

Date: Daily, Until June 30, 2019
Time: From 3 p.m. or 8 p.m. (Show runs for 80 min)
Location: Alternative Theatre, Lumine Yurakucho 2 7F, 2-5-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥8,500
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: Solo Dates, COUPLES, FRIENDS, FAMILIES, Taiko lovers

Bed Of Flowers

Garden Necklace Yokohama

Stop by at this breathtaking massive garden for a complete feast for the eyes and a splendid view of nature at its best form. Held as part of Yokohama city's annual endeavor to celebrate nature and flowers, the popular Satoyama Garden will be displaying the city's largest flower bed and so much more. Stop by with your camera and plan to stay at least a few hours, because there will be much to see!

Date: NOW THROUGH Mon, MAY 6, 2019
Time: 9:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
Location: SATOYAMA GARDEN, 1442 KAMISHIRANECHO, ASAHI WARD, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE
Fee: Free
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, Friends, TOURISTS, COUPLES, Instagrammers

Be The Pride!

Tokyo Rainbow Pride Festival & Parade 2019

The annual Tokyo Rainbow Week hosts a series of talks, seminars, live shows and exciting parties with the purpose of raising awareness about diversity, equality and the needs of Japan's LGBT community. The highlights of the event are the Pride Festival (Apr 28-29) and the Pride Parade (April 28), which annually attract thousands of people. This year the festival also hosts a Youth & Family Pride event for families and kids on April 30. If you believe in love and equality, join the crowds!

Date: Pride Week: Sat, Apr 27-Mon, May 6, 2019. Festival: Sun, Apr 28-Mon, April 29. Parade: Sun, Apr 28.
Time: FESTIVAL: 11 A.M.-8 P.M. (Until 6 p.m. on Mon), PARADE: FROM 2 P.M. For info on other events, see official website.
Location: YOYOGI PARK, 2-1 YOYOGIKAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: FREE
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS, FAMILIes, LGBT Communities

The Next Best Thing To Sakura

Chichibu Shibazakura Festival

Head to Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu for an alternative, yet equally mesmerizing hanami experience: shibazakura, or moss phlox. The annual Chichibu Shibazakura Festival features some 400,000 fully bloomed moss phlox arranged in various shapes and swirls that stretch over four acres of the Shibazakura Hill, creating a scene right out of a painting. The festival runs until the end of Golden Week, but the sooner you go the better!

Date: Now through MON, MAY 6, 2019
Time: 8 A.M.-5 P.M.
Location: HITSUJIYAMA PARK, 6360 OMIYA, CHICHIBU, SAITAMA PREFECTURE
Fee: ¥300 (GENERAL) FREE (UNDER 16)
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, INSTAGRAMMERS

Japan Gets Kinky!

Musical: Kinky Boots

Japan's Teppei Koike and Haruma Miura take the lead of a fantastic team in this exciting take on the famous musical. Based on the 2005 British film Kinky Boots, the musical tells the story of Charlie Price who having inherited a shoe factory from his father, forms an unlikely partnership with drag queen Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots and save the business. This unanticipated encounter leads the two to places they've never imagined they'd go ... and so much fun on the way! A fantastic show!

Date: Until SUN, MAY 12, 2019
Time: VARIOUS (SEE OFFICIAL WEBSITE)
Location: TOKYU THEATRE ORB, SHIBUYA HIKARIE 11F, 2-21-1 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: ¥10,000-¥13,500
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS, SOLO DATES, MUSICAL FANS

Meat Heaven

Niku Fes Tokyo (Meat Festival)

The popular Niku Festival (Meat Festival) brings together around 20 well-known meat restaurants from across Japan and lets visitors try their best dishes. Besides delicious and savory meat for you to try, there will also be about 30 stalls with craft beer and confectionery goods to maximize your indulgence. The event is so popular that it gathers over five million visitors per year. If the killer combo of meat and beer is not enough for you, there will also be live performances by various artists.

Date: Fri, Apr 26-Mon, May 6, 2019
Time: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (From 12 p.m. on first day, until 8 p.m. on last day)
Location: Odaiba Event Space, 1-1-16 AOMI, KOTO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Free admission, Pay by the plate for each dish
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: Foodies, COUPLES, FRIENDS, FAMILIES

Through The Lenses

Exhibition: The Amazing World of Nagi Yoshida

Nagi Yoshida is a young Japanese photographer who specializes in capturing the rare sights of ethnic minorities in Africa and other parts of the world. Already in the spotlight in Japan, Yoshida's colorful photos and unique angle of capturing the unknown is rapidly winning her popularity abroad, as well. This special exhibition focuses on her first best compilation photo book "Heroes" in addition to introducing around 20 new works. Yoshida will also be present at the event on Apr 28, May 7 & 11 from 3 p.m.

Date: Now through Sun, May 12, 2019
Time: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Seibu Shibuya 7F, 21-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo
Fee: ¥500
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: ART LOVERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, FREINDS, COUPLES

Sake Sips & Kit Kats

Craft Sake Week 2019

A total of 110 sake breweries from across Japan have gathered in Roppongi for 11 days to serve the thirsty crowd their best selling products. The hit this year is Kit Kat and sake pairing — you'll be guided by AI machines that determine your kind of sake-and-sweets pair based on your personality! Hm!

Date: Now through MON, APRIL 29, 2019
Time: 12 P.M.-9 P.M.
Location: ROPPONGI HILLS ARENA, 6-11-1, ROPPONGI,MINATO-KU,TOKYO
Fee: ¥3,500 (INCLUDES STARTER SET: ORIGINAL SAKE GLASS & 11X SAKE/FOOD COINS)
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: DATE WITH FRIENDS, COUPLES, SAKE LOVERS

An All-Time Favorite

Classical Ballet: Cinderella

Japan's New National Theather presents a special Golden Week-limited edition of the much-loved repertoire of the National Ballet of Japan. Choreographed by Frederic Ashton and with music by Sergei Prokofief, this elegant and playful repertoire adds a new, modern feeling to our favorite fairy tale. If you've been longing to see something classical yet fresh recently, this is your event!

Date: Sun, Apr 27-Mon, Apr 29 & Fri, May 3- Sun, May 5, 2019
Time: From 2 p.m. (The show runs for about 2.5 hrs)
Location: THE NEW NATIONAL THEATRE, OPERA HOUSE, 1-1-1, HON-MACHI, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: ¥1,620-¥12,960
Info: Recommended for: Solo dates, Couples, Mom & Daughter Dates, People who love ballet

Purple Canopy

Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival

Every year around this time, Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto Ward attracts thousands of visitors when its famous cascades of hanging purple wisteria (fuji) come to full bloom offering one of the most picturesque sceneries in central Tokyo. Apart from admiring the beautiful flowers, with hourly mini events, the festival is also a great place to enjoy vibrant cultural activities and the regular matsuri food stalls.

Date: Now through Mon, May 6, 2019
Time: 9 A.M.-4 P.M.
Location: KAMEIDO TENJIN SHRINE, 3-6-1 KAMEIDO, KOTO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Free
Info: Recommended for: Families, Couples, Friends, Tourists, Instagrammers, Flower photographers, Solo dates

Beer, Sausages, And Fun

Yokohama Frühlings Fest 2019

Frühlingfest is a German festival, held to welcome spring. Come taste over 200 kinds of German food and beer, see great performances, enjoy an outdoor anime viewing and other fun events with the kids, in addition to buying yourself some unique German omiyage for back home.

Date: Fri, Apr 26-Mon, May 6, 2019
Time: 10:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: YOKOHAMA RED BRICK WAREHOUSE, 1-1 SHINKO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA
Fee: Free
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: Foodies, Friends, Families & Kids, Beer Lovers, COUPLES

The Second Mastermind Behind Cup Ramen

Exhibition: The Life of Masako Ando, Wife of Cup Ramen Inventor Momofuku Ando

Behind every life-changing invention stands a wise woman. This exhibition looks into the 93 years of Masako Ando's life; the many times she hit rock bottom with her husband Momofuku Ando — the mastermind behind cup and instant noodles — and the many times she kept looking forward. Featuring rare photos and personal items, this is an exhibition dedicated to the other side of instant ramen — the, unfortunately, less glorified one.

Date: NOW THROUGH Sat, Aug 31, 2019
Time: 10 A.M. – 6 P.M.
Location: CUP NOODLE MUSEUM YOKOHAMA, 2-3-4 SHINKO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA
Fee: ¥500
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FAMILIES, SOLO DATES

Ultimate Peace

Open Air Yoga at Tokyo Midtown

Soak up the sun at Tokyo Midtown's annual spring "Open The Park" event, a series of relaxed and fun open-air activities. On the agenda this weekend is the popular open-air group morning and night yoga, the ultimate relaxing experience out in the heart of the city. No need to book in advance, but space is limited to 700 people on a first-come-first-served basis. Come in dressed in something comfortable as there's no place to change.

Date: Now through WED, MAY 22, 2019
Time: MORNING YOGA: 9:45 A.M.-11 A.M., NIGHT YOGA: 7:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M.
Location: TOKYO MIDTOWN GRASS SQUARE, 9-7-1 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: FREE
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: YOGIS, FRIEND, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CHILL IN THE PARK

Cultural Celebrations

Cambodia Festival 2019

The largest Cambodian festival in Japan, this event features everything from the country's delicious food to souvenir markets and traditional live performances such as Khmer classical dance.

Date: Fri, May 3-Sat, May 4, 2019
Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location: YOYOGI PARK, 2-1 YOYOGIKAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Free admission
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, Foodies

© Photo by Aki Hongo

Floral Getaway

Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival

Witness the beauty of tsutsuji (azalea) at Nezu Shrine's annual Azalea Festival, another event celebrating the beauty of spring's most breathtaking flowers. Here you can also check out the plant fairs, tea houses, and various food vendors.

Date: NOW THROUGH MON, MAY 6, 2019
Time: 9 A.M.- 6 P.M.
Location: NEZU SHRINE, 1-28-9 NEZU, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Free
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, COUPLES, FAMILIES, INSTAGRAMERS

For A Special Date

Two Rooms Bar & Grill: Special Anniversary Dinner

The famous restaurant (and bar!) is celebrating its 10th anniversary by offering guests a refined dinner plan fit for the perfect slightly high-end date night. The dinner course consists of six elegant meals reflecting Owner Chef, Matthew Crabbe’s passion and signature style. The food is delicious and the venue is simply perfect — if you have a special event coming up soon, this one's for you!

Date: NOW THROUGH FRI, MAY 31, 2019
Time: 6 P.M.–10 P.M.
Location: TWO ROOMS GRILL | BAR, 5F AO BUILDING, 3-11-7, KITA-AOYAMA, MINATO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: ¥10,000 PER PERSON
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, SPECIAL DATES, ANNIVERSARIES

All These Flowers!

Showa Memorial Park Flower Festival

The Tachikawa’s Showa Memorial Park is currently hosting the annual Flower Festival, which includes thousands of beautiful tulips and other colorful spring flowers of all kinds. It's the perfect venue to escape from the crowds of Tokyo and enjoy a slow day in the park. From flower viewing to water play, this park is heaven for family outings!

Date: Now through Sun, May 26, 2019
Time: 9:30 A.M.-5 P.M.
Location: Showa Memorial Park, 3173 MIDORI-CHO, TACHIKAWA-SHI, TOKYO
Fee: ¥410 (ADULTS). Free admission on Apr 29.
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: Families, COUPLES, FRIENDS, Instagrammers, Flower photographers, Solo Dates

Discover Your Passion

Japan Hobby Show 2019

Pick a new hobby or get to know the latest trends in the one you're already worshipping at this massive fair dedicated to all interests human beings can ever have. Over 750 booths will be exhibiting crafts and know-hows in a number of fields, including quilt, gardening, scrapbooking, painting and more.

Date: Thu, Apr 25-Sat, Apr 27, 2019
Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: Tokyo Big Sight West Hall 1-4, 3-11-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥1,500
Info: Recommended for: Friends, Solo dates, People in search of a new hobby

It's Scary Good!

Godzilla Strawberry Buffet

Not sure how those two exactly mix together, but this inventive dessert buffet celebrates Godzilla's 65th birthday and the strawberry season with some unique and ultra delicious creations. Sweet, sour and heavily roaring, these treats are not to be missed. Prices include lunch buffet too.

Date: NOW THROUGH MAY 31, 2019
Time: 11:30 A.M.-1 P.M. AND 13:30 A.M.-3 P.M.
Location: THE STRINGS BY INTERCONTINENTAL TOKYO, 2-16-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: ¥5,000 (WEEKDAYS), ¥6,000 (WEEKENDS), CHILDREN: ¥2,500
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, COUPLES, KIDS

Treasure Hunt

Akasaka's Antique Market

A classy flea market for those of you who are interested in digging up some unique vintage pieces. Here you can find one-of-a-kind jewelry and home decor items you won’t see elsewhere. This weekend marks the market's fifth anniversary, so there are a few special events and surprises planned, too!

Date: Sun, Apr 28-Mon, Apr 29, 2019
Time: 11 A.M.-5 P.M.
Location: ARK MORI BUILDING, 1-12-32 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: FREE admission
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, TREASURE HUNTERS

What are your plans for the rest of the Golden Week? If you’re organizing a fun or interesting event, or you know someone who is, contact us to get it listed!

If you’re attending any of these events, send us your best photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyGoldenWeek

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