Organic Life Tokyo 2015

Organic Life Tokyo, coming up later this month, is one of the biggest yoga events in the Tokyo area, with nearly 80 instructors teaching classes over a three-day period. But it's not all about the asanas—there will also be an onsite farmers market, a chance to sample craft beer and organic wines, and stalls selling ethical clothing and spices. It's one of the best natural- and organic-themed events the capital has to offer, and it all takes place in one cool, centrally-located venue.

Aside from the yoga classes, which incur a fee, participation in Organic Life Tokyo is free and open to all. The World Yoga Championship Japan, which will be held simultaneously, is also free and open to everyone. Competitors will aim to hold specified yoga poses longer than their rivals.

Three other sections of the event are also continuing from last year: Vegie Life, Ethical Life and Wine Life. Vegie Life is a market area offering organic vegetables. It will be run by the organizers of the Earth Day Market that is held monthly at Yoyogi Park. In the Ethical Life section, clothing and other goods that benefit people and the environment in some way, such as via fair trade or recycling, will be on sale. The Wine Life section will feature organic wines from various regions.

New this year are the Spice Life and Craft Beer Life sections. Tokyo Spice Bancho, an Indian-Japanese cooking group that explores Indian spices, will produce the Spice Life section. It will include a chai tea stall, an Indian food stall, and a spice shop. At the Craft Beer Life section, over ten specially selected craft and organic beers will be available. Among them will be an Iwate Prefecture beer made using the natural yeast of dried persimmons, and an Ibaraki Prefecture one brewed from a revived old Japanese breed of barley and a domestic strain of hops.

Organizers expect around 80 booths at Organic Life Tokyo this year, double the number at last year’s event. The venue is 3331 Arts Chiyoda, which is situated in Soto Kanda, close to a number of train stations. Formerly a junior high school, it has been reborn as an art center, complete with a gallery and café. It also aims to be a base for the local community’s cultural activities. It has open-space areas free for anyone to use, so why not bring your picnic blanket and the kids and enjoy a slow day out at Organic Life Tokyo.

The Deets

When: Fri, Apr. 24–Sun, Apr. 26, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Where: 3331 Arts Chiyoda, 6-11-14 Soto Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

How much: Free! (Charges apply for certain activities; see the official website for more details.)