This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Dec 8-9

The winter illuminations are out, the Christmas bazaars are fully packed, Santas are running a marathon ... you can feel Christmas coming at you at full speed! But while you may be busy preparing for your holiday trip or choosing presents for the family, there are a few unique events this week(end) that you should — if you can — note in your diary! Here are our top picks! Enjoy!

Sweet Sensations

Ruby Chocolate Afternoon Tea

Embrace the launch of the world's first ruby chocolate afternoon tea set, a plate of 16 exquisite sweet and savory bites that are just too pretty to eat. Known as the fourth type of chocolate (after dark, milk and white), the ruby chocolate was introduced to the world in 2017 and now it's becoming the next it thing — surely so here in Japan. Definitely worth the try!

Date

Until Jan 14, 2019

Time

12 P.M.-6 P.M. (WEEKDAYS), 11 A.M.-1 P.M., 1:30 P.M.-3:30 P.M. AND 4 P.M.-6 P.M. (WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS)

Location

ANA INTERCONTINENTAL TOKYO, ATRIUM LOUNGE, 1-12-33 AKASAKA, MINATO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥6,400

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FOODIES, SWEET TOOTHS, FRIENDS, COUPLES, SOLO DATES

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Fashion Origami

Issey Miyake: Floriography Exhibition

Issey Miyake meets origami at this unique time-limited cultural event. A number of fashion items created with Issey Miyake's one-of-a-kind textile folding technique will be displayed and offered for purchase. A colorful, inspirational and unique event for anyone interested in fashion and special Christmas gifts!

Date

Fri, Dec 7, 2018-Tue, Dec 25, 2018

Time

11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Location

Tokyu Plaza Ginza 6F Kiriko Lounge, 5 Chome-2-１ Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Fashion fans, Solo dates, Friends

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Antique Shopping Spree

Akasaka Nominoichi in Ark Hills

Looking for a sophisticated place to shop for your Christmas gifts? Let us suggest Akasaka Nominoichi, an antique fair where you can grab furniture, clothes, jewelry, and so much more. If you get too hungry from all the shopping, you can also stop by for a coffee and homemade cookie break at the numerous food trucks parked in the area.

Date

Sun, Dec 9, 2018

Time

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location

ARK HILLS, 1-12-32, AKASAKA, MINATO-ku, TOKYO

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Families, Friends, People who enjoy flea markets

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Santa's Little Runners

Run Santa Run

Ditch the sleigh and dash away on a 7k route dressed as a Santa Clause in one of the capital's favorite Christmas illumination areas before relaxing afterward with some cocktails. The best thing? You won't be alone — there will be another 100 plus Santas runnning with you, so think of this as a fun networking event too. Sort of. #BucketList

Date

Sat, Dec 8, 2018-Sun, Dec 9, 2018

Time

6 P.M. – 6 A.M.

Location

Meeting place: O BAR Tokyo, 4-10-11 Roppongi Yamaki building 3F, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥3,000 (Plus 1,500 for a full-body Santa suit)

Info

Recommended for: Party people, Friends, Couples

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Too Bad To Be Ignored

Museum Of Bad Art Exhibition

We spend so much time enjoying the beauty of art, making a big deal about its creativity and perfection, that we forget that art is, after all, everything that makes it unique — even if, well, it's not really that good. This unique and fun exhibition brings some 100 from a collection of 600 works from The Museum Of Bad Art (MOBA) in Boston to Tokyo for the very first time with the mission to show the world the worst of the worst that has ever been made in the field of art. Will yours be there? Go and see for yourself!

Date

Now through Mon, Jan 14, 2019

Time

10 a.m. -6 p.m.

Location

Gallery AaMo, 1-3-61, Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥1300 (General)

Info

Recommended for: Friends, People who don't like art, Solo dates

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Europe Meets Japan

Marcel Duchamp And Japanese Art

Last weekend to see this popular exhibition which traces French artist Marcel Duchamp's early career through some of his most legendary works and welcomes visitors to reassess Japanese art through the rebellious perspective of his unique vision.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, DEC 9, 2018

Time

9:30 A.M.-5 P.M.

Location

TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM, 13-9 UENO KOEN, TAITO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,200 (GENERAL)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: REBELLIOUS ARTISTS, DATES, SOLO INSPIRATION

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'Tis The Season

Yokohama Akarenga Christmas Market

The Yokohama Akarenga Christmas Market is one of the biggest and most popular markets of its kind in Japan, drawing tens of thousands of visitors annually. It’s a great place to visit for shopping, eating, and sightseeing, as well as to experience a truly festive feeling under the (real) giant Christmas tree. There’ll be hot wine, seasonal ornaments and beautiful illuminations, live Christmas song shows (on Dec. 8 and 13 from 2 and 5 p.m.) and various other entertaining events.

Date

Now through Tue, Dec. 25, 2018

Time

11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Location

Yokohama Akarenga, 1-1, Shin-Minato, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Families, Friends, Couples, Christmas Market lovers

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Blue Skies

Winter Illuminations: Blue Cave Shibuya

Despite being blue, blue and nothing but blue, this illumination (ranked No.1 in Tokyo, by the way!) can never make you sad — take our word for it. Sponsored by the famous pasta sauce maker Ao No Dokutsu (Blue Cavern), the Koen-dori street leading toward Yoyogi Park are lit-up by 600,000 blue LED lights creating a spectacular monotone glow.

Date

Now through Mon, Dec 31, 2018

Time

5 p.m.-10 p.m.

Location

From Keyakizaka in Yoyogi Park to Shibuya Park near Shibuya station

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Couples, Friends, Families, Instagrammers

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