This Week: At Home And Around Tokyo For February 6 – 12

We're right around the corner from Valentine's Day and what better way to celebrate the occasion than by heading to different events happening all over Tokyo! From a Valentine's festival to skating at night, there's so much to do with your special someone.

Love Is All-Around

World Valentine's Festival

In Japan it's chocolate; in the U.S. and Europe, it’s a romantic dinner out or a surprise delivery of heart-shaped balloons and red roses. But how much do we know about how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in other parts of the world? Join this Yoyogi Park event to find out, as you fulfill all your senses' needs through good international food, crafts and special performances from across the world.

Date

SAT, FEB 11-SUN, FEB 12, 2023

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M.

Location

YOYOGI PARK EVENT PLAZA, 2-1 YOYOGI KAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS

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To Brie, Or Not To Brie

Hokkaido Cheese

See how Hokkaido's natural cheeses have evolved in a variety of ways. Try out a variety of cheeses that have been made using a tradition built by its predecessors and a production method that makes use of the climate. Pay just ¥500 for a taster plate with a choice of five out of 45 different selections of new wave natural cheese from Hokkaido. A variety of wines will also be available to complement the cheeses.

Date

FRI, FEB. 10-MON, FEB. 13, 2023

Time

11 A.M.-8 P.M. (FRI-SAT) 11 A.M.-6 P.M. (MON)

Location

HIKARIE HALL HALL A, SHIBUYA HIKARIE 9F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Tokyo - Map

Fee

FREE ENTRY

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: CHEESE LOVERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY

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Scent Of Spring

Bunkyo Plum Festival

Before the sakura season kicks in, it's time to enjoy the plums and there's no better place to do so than at the Yushima Tenmangu Shrine in Tokyo's Bunkyo ward. The approximately 300 plum trees are just starting to bloom, inviting visitors for a pleasant sight and scent. There will be also various performances, including a karaoke competition, traditional Japanese dances, shamisen and of course, lots of food stalls!

Date

NOW THROUGH TUE, MARCH 8, 2023

Time

8 A.M.-7:30 P.M.

Location

YUSHIMA TENMANGU SHRINE, 3-30-1 YUSHIMA BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHERS, SOLO DATES

More Info

© Photo by Voices in Our Heads

Power Of Visuals

Yebisu International Festival For Art & Alternative Visions 2023

Held annually, Yebisu International Festival aims to gather and encourage creativity through visual art exhibitions, movies, and dance performances. With “Mapping The Invisible” as this year’s theme, the event welcomes artists and expressionists from around the world who will be showcasing their works of art in various forms, including exhibitions, film screenings, live shows, workshops and more.

Date

NOW THROUGH SAT, FEB. 19, 2023

Time

10 A.M.-8 P.M. (LAST DAY UNTIL 6 P.M.)

Location

TOKYO PHOTOGRAPHIC ART MUSEUM, EBISU GARDEN PLACE, 1-13-3 MITA, MEGURO, TOKYO, AND OTHERS - Map

Fee

FREE ADMISSION, SOME PAID PROGRAMS

Info

Recommended for: Art fans, couples, and solo outings

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© Photo by iStock: Jacephoto

Kitchen Ambitions

Online Event: Tableware Festival

Join this online festival dedicated to tableware which offers everything from English-style to Japanese fine china. The festival welcomes British brands such as Aynsley, Japanese Kasamayaki porcelain, Venetian glassware and regional style china. Also at the venue will be presentations by celebrities on how they decorate their dining spaces with unique table settings. You can also purchase your favorite tableware.

Date

NOW THROUGH TUE FEB. 28, 2023

Time

11 A.M.-7 P.M.

Info

Recommended For: People In Need of Interior Inspiration

More Info

© Photo by https://www.dokuten.jp/index.html

Something Unique

Special Exhibition: Poison

Instead of art, learn more about the different types of poison in this special exhibit by the National Museum of Nature and Science. Expect to learn findings by specialists in the fields of zoology, botany, geology, anthropology and engineering as they delve into poisons that exist everywhere in nature, minerals and artificial poisons.

Date

Now through Sun, Feb. 19, 2023 (CLOSED ON MON)

Time

9 A.M. - 5 P.M. (OPEN UNTIL 7 P.M. ON SATURDAYS)

Location

7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo - Map

Fee

¥2,000

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND COUPLES

More Info

© Photo by www.yokohamajapan.com

Art And Artificial Reality Combine

Art Link: Dance With Ghost

Each year the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse collaborates with an artist to help decorate their ice skating rink. This year, they've teamed up with contemporary artist Saito Yuya. The theme Saito chose is called Dance With Ghost which combines a 100 meter mural and an artificial reality experience.

Date

Now through Sun, Feb 19, 2023

Time

Weekdays: 1P.M.-8P.M. WEEKENDS: 11A.M.-8P.M.

Location

1-1 Shinko, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa - Map

Fee

¥700

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND COUPLES

More Info

© Photo by iStock: AzmanL

Share Your Voice

Contribute to Savvy Tokyo!

Do you have something to share with Savvy Tokyo‘s readers? We’re always looking to expand our featured topics and to find fresh, new voices. Whether you’re a fashion, food, parenting or relationship expert, a Japanese culture pro — or you just have an interesting story about your life in Japan, we’d love to hear from you. To apply, please get in touch via our contact page with a short description of why you’d like to write for us, some clips or writing samples and examples of what angles of Tokyo life you’d like to cover for our readers. We look forward to hearing from you!

Date

ALL DAY

Time

ANYTIME

Location

ANYWHERE

Fee

FREE

Info

RECOMMENED FOR: Experienced freelance writers

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