This Week: Tokyo Area Events For January 4-10

Covid-19 continues to play a threat across Japan through 2021, especially in Tokyo. For the sake of yourself and others, we highly suggest that you take precautions when leaving your home. To keep entertained, check out our recommendations of things you can do at home during this global crisis, alongside a few events happening around the city.

Experience Japan From Home

Online Event: Furusato Matsuri Tokyo 2021

Visiting all of Japan's 47 prefectures is a time (and cash)-consuming experience, but luckily a few people got together and came up with a single festival that brings the best of the best all the way from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Come and explore traditional Japanese performances, regional matsuri recreations, local specialties and more from all around Japan. One of the largest cultural events of the year, this one is a real gem and now easily accessible all over the world just a few clicks away.

Date

FRI, JAN. 8-MON, JAN. 11, 2021

Time

FRI FROM 6 P.M., SAT-MON FROM 4 P.M.

Location

ONLINE (SEE “MORE INFO” LINK) - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, TOURISTS, FANS OF JAPANESE CULTURE, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO STAY HOME

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Dezomeshiki

Online Event: The New Year’s Fire Review

The annual New Year’s Fire Review, called "Dezomeshiki," is a spectacular demonstration of fire and disaster prevention performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department. It features firefighting drills, rescue, first aid, a parade of firefighting equipment and other various performances. Some of the firefighting techniques date back to the Edo era (1603-1867). Men dressed as Edo era firemen will perform acrobatic stunts on top of bamboo ladders. This year you can watch it all live from their Youtube Channel.

Date

WED, JAN. 6, 2021

Time

FROM 9:30 P.M.

Location

ONLINE (SEE “MORE INFO” LINK) - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILY, FRIENDS, FIRETRUCK FANS

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Add To Your Reading List

Check Out Japanese Books To Kickstart 2021

Looking for some inspirational books to get you in the mood to embrace everything the new year has coming? 2020 is finally behind us and we can make new resolutions for the brand new 2021 in front of us. Resolutions are made to be broken but practicing some new habits and enjoying some fresh perspectives on life can get you going on the right note. Here are some Japanese books, from philosophy to fiction, to get you in the right frame of mind to begin the new year or anything else you’d like to start anew in 2021. See “more info” link.

Date

WHENEVER YOU WANT

Time

ANY TIME

Location

HOME

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: BOOKWORMS

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Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock.

See These Simple Tips For A Heavenly Night’s Sleep

A good night’s sleep is vital for achieving emotional balance, regaining strength, keeping your weight in check and basically feeling healthy. The average person will spend approximately one-third of her life sleeping, but experts agree that it is not quantity that matters, but quality. Read our simple tips and Japan-based remedies to help you get the most out of your shut-eye so you can wake up looking forward to the day. See "more info" link.

Date

WHENEVER YOU WANT

Time

ANY TIME

Location

HOME

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: TIRED PEOPLE

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Year Of The Ox

New Year's Card (Nengajo) Exhibition

A beautiful display of new year greeting cards sent in from all over Japan will be exhibited to celebrate the new year. Each piece, made by children and adults, is unique and touched by a very creative artistic taste (as far as we can tell). During the exhibition period, there will also be an art event of Japanese lifestyle and culture.

Date

FRI, JAN. 8 - SUN, JAN. 31, 2021

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M.

Location

ATLIA KAWAGUCHI MUNICIPAL ART GALLERY, 1-76 NAMIKI MOTOMACHI, KAWAGUCHI-SHI, SAITAMA - Map

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, TOURISTS, COUPLES, FRIENDS, ARTISTS

More Info

New Year, New Musical

New Years Musical Concert 2021

The Theatre Orb invites all to a perfect occasion to celebrate a joyful start to the New Year! This star-studded concert featuring Ayaka Hirahara, Yuki Koyanagi, Akinori Nakagawa, Takanori Sato, Micael K. Lee will offer iconic musical numbers performed by top-class singers and actors from Broadway and West End.

Date

SAT, JAN. 9-MON, JAN. 11, 2021

Time

FROM 1 P.M. OR 5 P.M.

Location

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

Fee

¥6,800-¥12,800 (¥4,800 FOR UNDER 25)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: MUSICAL FANS, DATES, FRIENDS, FAMILY

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Itadakimasu 2021

New Year Course at The Peninsula

Perched high on the 24th floor with stellar views of Tokyo's Imperial Palace Gardens and Hibiya Park, The Peninsula Tokyo's Peter is a refreshing dining destination offering the Peninsula standards of sophistication in a fun and inviting atmosphere. Here they will be serving up an exquisite five-course dinner to start off 2021.

Date

FRI, JAN. 1-11, 2021

Time

6 P.M.- 10 P.M.

Location

THE PENINSULA TOKYO, 1-8-1 YURAKUCHO, CHIYODA, TOKYO - Map

Fee

¥13,000 or ¥18,000

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Winter Wonderland

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Art Rink

Yokohama's Akarenga celebrates its 16th year hosting this annual winter fun. This event is not only special because of the beautiful winter scenery of Yokohama, but it also offers a collab like no other of art and ice. This year's collaboration art was made by talented, award-winning artist Nishikawa Tomomi. If you get cold and hungry, get your grab of hot panini sandwiches and a warm cup of hot cocoa to warm up at Hot Hot Cafe. Make your 2021 a smooth start!

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, FEB. 21, 2021

Time

WEEKDAYS: 1 P.M.-10 P.M. (WEEKEND FROM 11 A.M.)

Location

YOKOHAMA REDBRICK WAREHOUSE, 1-1 SHIN MINATO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA - Map

Fee

¥700 (ADULTS), ¥500 (CHILD), ¥500 (SKATE RENTAL)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES WITH KIDS, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Culture in Action

Grand Sumo Tournament

Watching sumo on screen can never replicate the feeling of watching it live: it’s an experience of an ancient living culture. The first of the year’s six tournaments, the Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament takes place throughout the month of January. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day—though for the latter you'll need to get their early to grab one of the arena seats. More information can be found on their website.

Date

SUN, JAN. 10-SUN, JAN. 24, 2021

Time

FROM 1 P.M.

Location

RYOGOKU KOKUGIKAN, 1-3-28 YOKOAMI SUMIDA-KU TOKYO - Map

Fee

FROM ¥3,500 FOR ARENA SEATS

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, TOURISTS, SPORTS FANS

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Conversing, Glaring and Laughing

Taro Okamoto Exhibition: Confronting Eyes

Taro Okamoto started his career as a ‘western-style’ painter, but the subjects of his paintings differed greatly from those commonly used by other western-style artists. This is because he did not use any of the usual western-style genres, such as landscapes, portraits, still-lifes or nudes. So what did Taro paint? Unfortunately, it is impossible to say what his paintings depict simply by looking at them. However, one motif is clear, eyes. Taro’s paintings always contain eyes. Moreover, a lot of them possess multiple eyes.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, JAN. 31, 2021

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M. (LAST ENTRY 5:30 P.M.)

Location

TARO OKAMOTO MEMORIAL MUSEUM, 1-21-6 MINAMI-AOYAMA MINATO-KU TOKYO - Map

Fee

¥650

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS, PHOTOGRAPHY BUFFS

More Info

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