This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For January 18-19

Suffering from the January blues after all that festive fun? Resist the urge to curl up with Netflix in your pajamas and head outside for a top-notch weekend of citywide events. On Saturday, release your inner foodie at the annual Furusato Food Festival featuring cuisine from across Japan, burn it off with a spot of bargain hunting at Tokyo's biggest flea market and forget your new year woes with some comedy in Roppongi. As for Sunday, there's still plenty left to do including the unmissable Grand Sumo Tournament. Check it out!

Experience Japan In One Day

Furusato Matsuri Tokyo 2020

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.

Date

FRI, JAN. 10-SUN, JAN. 19, 2020

Time

10 A.M.-9 P.M. (UNTIL 6 P.M. ON THE 19TH)

Location

TOKYO DOME, 1-3-61 KORAKUEN, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,800 (ON DAY), ¥1,400 (WEEKDAY), ¥1,300 (EVENING), ¥1,000 (EXCLUSIVE FOR FOREIGN VISITORS IF PURCHASED ONLINE IN ADVANCE)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, TOURISTS, FANS OF JAPANESE CULTURE, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ESCAPE THE COLD

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Going Au Natural

Earth Garden Winter Festival

Earth Garden is a community festival held every season to remind us of the importance of keeping the earth clean and promoting an eco-friendly way of living. Expect outdoor live shows in addition to a large market selling organic food and products.

Date

SAT, JAN. 18-SUN, JAN. 19, 2020

Time

10 A.M.-4 P.M.

Location

YOYOGI PARK ZELKOVA AVENUE, 2-3 JINNAN, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, TOURISTS, COUPLES, FRIENDS

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Hot Pot Date

Sakedokoro Nabegoya 2020

Surrounding a hot pot with a warm sake in your hands with your family and friends in the beautiful city of Yokohama is a great way to warm up this winter. You can make your own special nabe by selecting your preferred ingredients or choose a ready-made pot if you're less adventurous.

Date

FRI, JAN 17-SUN, FEB 2, 2020

Time

11 A.M.-9:30 P.M. (FROM 12 P.M. ON WEEKDAYS)

Location

YOKOHAMA RED BRICK WAREHOUSE, 1-1 SHINKO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA

Fee

FREE ENTRANCE (NABE FROM ¥700, SAKE TASTING SET ¥1,500)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, FOODIES

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Bargains Galore

Oi Racecourse (Tokyo City) Flea Market

One of Tokyo's biggest and best flea markets, there are tons of unique bargains to be had at this regular event. Browse up to 600 stalls selling everything from clothes and jewelry to antiques and electronics. There are also food stalls dotted around the venue (Tokyo's primary horse racing course when it's not an improvised outdoor mall) to keep you fuelled while you shop.

Date

SAT, JAN 18-SUN, Jan 19, 2020

Time

9 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Location

OI RACECOURSE, 2-2-1 KATSUSHIMA SHINAGAWA-KU TOKYO

Fee

FREE ENTRANCE

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: BARGAIN HUNTERS, FRIENDS, TOURISTS

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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

NOW THROUGH JAN 26, 2020

Time

ALL DAY

Location

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

Fee

FROM ¥3,800 FOR ARENA SEATS

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, TOURISTS, SPORTS FANS

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What is Japan?

Taro Okamoto Exhibition: The Japanese Shadow

Throughout his work, acclaimed photographer Taro Okamoto continually asked, "What is Japan?" In this beautifully curated exhibition from museum director Akiomi Hirano, witness Okamoto's journey of discovery of his native country from Tohoku to Okinawa. What he found is a different side of Japan—one that might surprise you.

Date

NOW THROUGH FEB 24, 2020

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

Fee

¥680

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS, PHOTOGRAPHY BUFFS

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Believe It's Not Butter

Kagawa Prefecture Olive Marche

Explore the slippery but delicious world of olive oil at this event promoting Kagawa Prefecture's unlikely gourmet export. Around seven local producers will be on hand to share samples of products ranging from cooking oils to tea and cosmetics. The cafe will also be running a special menu showcasing Kagawa culinary specialties, including the prefecture's famous udon.

Date

FRI, JAN 17-SAT, JAN 18, 2020

Time

11 A.M.-9:00 P.M. (UNTIL 6 P.M. ON SATURDAY)

Location

ROPPONGI HILLS CAFE/SPACE 2F 6-10-1 ROPPONGI HILLS MINATO-KU TOKYO

Fee

FREE ENTRANCE

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FOODIES, COUPLES, THOSE INTERESTED IN NATURAL PRODUCTS

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Brews and Belly Laughs

Craft Beer and Comedy

Settle in for a night of stand-up comedy, great pizza, and awesome beer at this popular event featuring a roster of talented comedians. It fills up quickly, so get there early for a front-row seat to all the fun.

Date

SAT, JAN 18

Time

6:45 P.M.-9 P.M.

Location

TWO DOGS TAPROOM 2F 3-15-24 ROPPONGI MINATO-KU TOKYO

Fee

¥2,000 (INCLUDES ONE DRINK)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS, COMEDY LOVERS

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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