This Week: At Home And Around Tokyo For November 15-21

The coronavirus situation continues across Japan, especially in Tokyo. For the sake of yourself and others, we recommend that you take whatever precautions necessary when leaving your home. To keep you entertained, we have some recommendations for things you can do at home this week, along with a few events happening online and around the city.

Empower Karen Refugees

Online Event: Virtually Walk The Trail To Friendship Bridge

Join this challenge initiated by REI, and let your feet make a real impact. This virtual walk will lead you from Hpa-An, main city of Karen state in Myanmar, to Friendship Bridge on the Thailand border. Internal displacement continues in many areas of Myanmar as ceasefire agreements are broken. Education, job creation, legal and human rights, and environment and community building are the four pillars that influence the types of projects that REI select to empower Karen refugees. By joining, you too can support them as you walk, run or cycle locally with friends and family. Your progress will be shown on the map and when approaching major cities, you’ll have access to street view and will experience some of Myanmar for yourself.

Date

Sat, Nov. 13-WED, Dec. 1, 2021

Time

ANY TIME

Location

ONLINE (SEE “MORE INFO” LINK) - Map

Fee

US$15 (~¥1,560)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: those who want to give back

More Info

Seasonal Delights

Hachioji Ginkgo Festival

Enjoy this 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. 20-SUN, NOV. 21, 2021

Time

9 A.M.-5 P.M. (SAT), 9 A.M.-4:30 P.M. (SUN)

Location

AROUND HACHIOJI STATION - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, FAMILIES, COUPLES

More Info

All-You-Can-Eat Japan

All Nippon 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 want to miss this event.

Date

FRI, NOV. 19-SUN, NOV. 21, 2021

Time

10 A.M.-7 P.M.

Location

IKEBUKURO SUNSHINE CITY HALL A AND B, 3-1 HIGASHI-IKEBUKURO, TOSHIMA-KU, TOKYO - Map

Fee

FREE ENTRY

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, FAMILY, COUPLES, FOODIES

More Info

A Taste Of Sea

Japan Fisherman's Festival

Sushi, sashimi...you'll find it all here. Held for the seventh year, this festival celebrates fresh seafood by inviting top chefs and exhibitors from across Japan to set up stalls selling their best marine products. Also on the agenda are special entertainment events, including stage performances and presentations.

Date

FRI, NOV. 19- SUN, NOV. 21, 2021

Time

11 A.M.-9 P.M. (THU, FRI), 10 A.M.-9 P.M. (SAT), 10 A.M.-6 P.M. (SUN)

Location

HIBIYA PARK, HIBIYA KOEN, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FOODIES, FISH FANS, FAMILY, FRIENDS, COUPLES

More Info

In Business Without Really Trying

Musical: How To Succeed

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a musical by Frank Loesser and a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name. The story follows a young, ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, who, with the help of a book, rises from a window washer to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company. This musical will be presented in Japanese by a Japanese cast, unfortunately with no subtitles.

Date

NOW THROUGH TUE, DEC. 7, 2021

Time

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Location

TOKYU THEATRE ORB, SHIBUYA HIKARIE 11F, 2-21-1 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO - Map

Fee

¥10,000 - ¥14,000

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: MUSICAL FANS, FRIENDS, COUPLES

More Info

© Photo by Instituto_cervantes_tokio

Foreign Studies

Gaigosai Festival

The annual festival ran by the students of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies is celebrating its 99th consecutive year! The event is all about embracing multiculturalism and allows you to travel around the world without a passport. The event is packed full of world cuisine and traditional music events.

Date

FRI, NOV. 19-TUE, NOV. 23, 2021

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M.

Location

TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES, 3-11-1, ASAHI, FUCHU, TOKYO - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FOREIGN VISITORS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, COUPLES

More Info

Charlotte of Mecklenburg‑Strelitz

Royal Botanical Gardens Kew

The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum brings some of the British crown’s favorite botanical art to Tokyo with an exhibition featuring around 100 works of botanical art from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and a selection of the finest British ceramic manufacturers, all belonging to Kew Gardens in London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From scientific prints to delicate queensware, the relics on display will have you daydreaming of a five o’clock tea at an English garden.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, NOV. 28, 2021

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M.

Location

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, 5-21-9 Shirokanedai, Minato City, Tokyo - Map

Fee

¥1,400 (GENERAL)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: ARTISTS, THOSE IN NEED OF A THERAPEUTIC SESSION

More Info

Flowers And Sunshine

Online Event: Hibiya Gardening Show

Enjoy a floral adventure online, which begins with an exhibit of majestic gardening works of the competition's winners. You can also enjoy concerts and dance performances all from the comfort of your home.

Date

NOW THROUGH TUE, NOV. 30, 2021

Time

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Location

ONLINE (SEE “MORE INFO” LINK) - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: PEOPLE WHO LOVE FLOWERS AND PLANTS

More Info

Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo