This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Aug 4-5
Summer Festivals, Art, And Fun In The City
Kakigori, crying cicadas, bon odori drum tunes, yukata: the season of Japanese summer matsuri has officially begun! This weekend you'll get the chance to explore many of them, be it local sights in Hachijoji, food stalls and late night slow dancing at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Museum, or powerful swings at the Nakameguro Summer Festival. And after you've covered them all, take a moment to also appreciate the art and creativity that surrounds us daily — there's plenty of that to see this weekend, too! Enjoy!
Open-Air Summer Time Slip
Downtown Summer Night Breeze — A Museum Festival
Edo Tokyo Open-Air Museum is a wonderful historical and architectural spot to visit at any given time in the year, but once August begins, for one weekend only, the venue time-slips into the Showa era, bringing the best of Japan's traditional matsuri: bon-odori dancing, food stalls, mikoshi parades for children, games, and even Showa-period retro photo ops!
- Date
- Sat, Aug 4-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
- Time
- 3 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Location
- Edo Tokyo Open Air Museum, 3-7-1 Sakuracho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo (inside Koganei Park)
- Fee
- ¥400 (Adults)
- Info
- Recommended for: Families, Kids, Couples, Friends
Creativity In Design
Design Festa Summer 2018
Design Festa brings together hundreds of professionals and amateurs to exhibit their artworks and designs. Since 1994, the event has been serving as a platform to over 12,000 artists regardless of age, nationality or talents twice a year. In addition to some amazing live performances, there is also a large variety of stalls to buy handmade crafts, paintings and other unique pieces to take back home, but the festa is also just a great way to discover new artists, be inspired by art and design, and just have fun!
- Date
- Sat, Aug 4-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
- Time
- 11 a.m.-7 P.M.
- Location
- Tokyo Big Site East Halls, 3-11-1 ARIAKE, KOTO-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- ¥800 (ADVANCE), ¥1,000 (AT THE DOOR)
- Info
- Recommended for: Artists, Art lovers, Creative Minds
525,600 Minutes Of Your Life
Broadway Musical "Rent" Japan Tour 2018
The legendary award-winning creation of late Jonathan Larson, Rent follows the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in New York City amid poverty, homosexuality, drugs, struggles, love and loss. But above all, it is friendship that unites them and keeps them looking to the future. A musical that tells real-life stories and tells them so damn well. The famous theme song '525,600 minutes' will keep you thinking and rethinking when you find yourself once again: "How do you measure a year?"
- Date
- Wed, Aug 1-Sun, Aug 12, 2018
- Time
- Various. See website
- Location
- Shibuya Hikarie 11F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥9,000-¥13,000
- Info
- Recommended for: Musical fans, Couples, Friends
Stars & Wishes
Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri
One of the three best known Tanabata Festivals in Tokyo, the Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri attracts thousands of people with its colorful bamboo and large figures decorations. Shopping streets around the JR Asagaya station will feature various ornaments and refreshment stalls, welcoming the crowds to cool off and explore the area. Every year, people look forward to the decorations, which reflect on major recent events — guess what's coming up this year!
- Date
- Fri, Aug 3-Tue, Aug 7, 2018
- Time
- All day
- Location
- SHOPPING ARCADES NEAR ASAGAYA STATION, 1-35-18 ASAGAYA MINAMI, SUGINAMI-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Families, Friends, Couples
Paint Your 'Gram
Vinyl Museum: Instagram Spot
Want to spice up your Instagram with aesthetic photo-worthy visuals? The Vinyl Art Museum is a unique and imaginative touring art exhibition unlike anything you've ever experienced. This photogenic museum allows you to become part of the artwork — and instantly win over your followers! The theme for this time's event is 'Paint Your Summer.'
- Date
- Now through Sun, Aug 5, 2018
- Time
- 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Location
- Tokyu Plaza Ginza, BALLY 2F, 5-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥1,800
- Info
- Recommended for: Instagrammers, Friends, Couples, Families
Old Is Gold
Antique Jamboree: Flea Market
If you love antique, this is your weekend! The largest antique event in Japan, the Antique Jamboree gathers over 500 vendors from all over the country, selling everything from Japanese and Western antiques to old toys, pottery, gadgets and more. There is also a corner for repairing antique items, so if you have something hiding at home, bring it along!
- Date
- Fri, Aug 3-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
- Time
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location
- TOKYO BIG SIGHT EAST EXHIBITION HALL 1, 3-11-1 ARIAKE KOTO-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- ¥1,000. FREE FOR ENTRANCE AFTER 1 P.M. ON SUNDAY.
- Info
- Recommended for: Antique fans, Collectors
Nature & Colors
Resonating Trees Ginza Six Rooftop Garden
On the roof of Ginza Six, the popular upbeat shopping destination, Team Lab has created a beautiful light up of the trees along the canal. The lights can sense movement and change colors and tones as people pass by creating a spectactical awareness of the existence of the other living things that surround us. The perfect date spot for a romantic summer night out!
- Date
- Wed, Aug 1-Sun, Sept 2, 2018
- Time
- Sunset-11 p.m.
- Location
- Ginza Six Rooftop Garden, 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Couples
Ceylon Days
Sri Lanka Festival
The Sri Lanka Festival calls on all those who love Sri Lankan style of food, music, dancing, shopping and even ayurveda and yoga. Each year a variety of vendors are known to serve up a beautiful array of Sri Lankan food including rice and curry, string hoppers, hoppers, egg hoppers, kotturotti, cutlets, rotti and vaddai as well as Sri Lankan beer and coconut arrack. The vendors will be selling everything from jewelry, to carvings, to ceramics to Sri Lankan spices!
- Date
- Sat, Aug 4-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
- Time
- 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Location
- Yoyogi Park Outdoor Stage, 2-2-3 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Friends, Families, Foodies, Couples, World Travelers
Yosakoi X Awaodori Fiesta
Nakameguro Summer Matsuri
If you enjoy Japanese summer festivals, the Nakameguro Matsuri is one you shouldn't miss. Featuring two of the most popular traditional Japanese dances, awaodori and yosakoi, this festival attracts over 20,000 people annually and is a fantastic downtown summer experience for everyone in the family. Wear your yukata and enjoy the loud drum sounds until late at night.
- Date
- SAT, AUG 4- SUN, AUG 5, 2018
- Time
- 5:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
- Location
- NAKAMEGURO-GINZA SHOPPING STREET NEAR NAKAMEGURO STATION
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Matsuri fans, Nakameguro fans, Friends, Families, Couples, Social Media Influencers
Washoku Hands-on
Japan Culture Workshops: Temari Sushi and Japanese Pickles
Just in time for the Asagaya Tanabata Festival, Suginami ward is offering a chance for foreigners to deepen their understanding of the Japanese culture through various workshops. This time, on the agenda is a sushi-making workshop where you can learn to make simple "Temari" ball sushi, and the basics of koji-fermentation to make Japanese pickles. If you choose to stick around Asagaya for the day, there's also a Japanese sake tasting later in the day. Check details on website. Book by August 4.
- Date
- Sun, Aug 5, 2018
- Time
- 1) 10:30 a.m.–11 a.m. 2) 11:15 a.m.–11:45 a.m. 3) 1 p.m.–1:30 p.m. 4) 1:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
- Location
- Coto Lab Cooking Studio in Beans, Asagaya, 2-42-1, Asagayaminami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥2,160 per person (Ingredients & tools provided)
- Info
- Recommended for: English speakers, Foodies, People interested in Japanese cuisine, Couples
Local Fests
Hachioji Festival
With a usual attendance of over 800,000, Hachioji Festival is one of the most popular local neighborhood summer festivals in Tokyo. The night is filled with a range of fun attractions for couples and families such as geisha performances, taiko drummers, a lion dance, night markets and a float parade! The event is known as one of Japan's best float parades with beautiful floats all made by different sculptures.
- Date
- Fri, Aug 3-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
- Time
- 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Location
- Around Hachioji Station
- Fee
- Free
- Info
- Recommended for: Families, Couples, Friends, Matsuri Fans
Spice Indulgence
Curry Bread Exhibition
Run by the Curry Pan Association (they really have all sorts of organizations in Japan!), the event offers a huge variety of curry bread from top bakeries in Japan. Come taste, eat and buy in bulks for back home. Also, witness the event try for the "Most curry bread sold in 8 hours" Guinness challenge — the curry pan that sold most in eight hours may get a special recognition! Last year over 150 varieties of curry bread was served up and this year they're expecting it to be bigger and better than ever.
- Date
- Sat, Aug 4-Sun, Aug 5, 2018
- Time
- 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Location
- Matsuzakaya Ueno, Main Building 6F, 3-29-5 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free entrance. Bread from ¥300
- Info
- Recommended for: Foodies, Friends, Social Media Influencers
Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo
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