This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For July 21-22

Hear the bells ring for summer? Spend this weekend appreciating the sounds and colors of nature, get inspired at one or two creative events or watch the sky go bright in the capital's very first fireworks for the summer! Enjoy!

Good Luck Chimes

Fuurin Matsuri

Hear the sound of the wind from all over Japan at the annual Nishi-Arai Daishi's Wind Chime Festival. Taiko performances, workshops and picturesque sights of rows of beautifully designed wind chimes will keep you entertained and chilled throughout the festival. If you visit this Sunday, you can join a special workshop to create your one-and-only wind chime to bring home. Or you can also buy one of the wind chimes at the festival as a souvenir.

Date

Now through Sun, Aug 5, 2018

Time

10 A.M.- 4 P.M.

Location

NISHI-ARAI DAISHI SHRINE, 1-15-1 NISHIARAI, ADACHI-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Couples, Families, Friends

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Shooting “Stars”

Adachi Fireworks

The earliest fireworks in Tokyo, this popular festival attracts over 630,000 people each year. Around 12,000 fireworks will be shot across the sky, creating an enchanted night to remember. As this is one of the most famous firework events in the city, prepare to expect some crowds.

Date

Sat, July 21, 2018

Time

7:30 P.M.- 8:30 P.M.

Location

ARAKAWA RIVERSIDE, AROUND NISHIARAI BRIDGE, 1 CHOME SEKIBARA, ADACHI-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Couples, Friends, Families, People who don't mind the crowds

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© Photo by YouTube

Local Parade

Ueno Summer Festival

Spread across several weeks, this summer festival's highlight is the exciting 7-hour-long parade starting from Ueno station to Ueno's central street on Saturday. As usual, there will also be delicious festival snack food booths, street and ice performances and other entertaining events for the crowd!

Date

Parade: Sat, July 21, 2018. The festival runs until July 29.

Time

Parade: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (Ueno station) 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (Ueno Park), 5:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m. (Ueno Chuo-doori street)

Location

UENO PARK, 2 UENO KOEN, TAITO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Friends, Families, Social Media Influencers, Japanese Culture Fans

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Creativity At Its Best

Asahi Sand Sculpture Exhibition

This rather unknown festival of creativity is the summer equivalent of the snow festival in Sapporo — if not even better. Come and see the amazing sand sculptures made by local and foreign artists: from giant cats to unbelievably realistic human monuments. This Saturday, the festival will culminate with special events, sand attractions and more. An event definitely worth the over an hour trip from central Tokyo!

Date

Now through Sat, July 21, 2018

Time

From sunrise 'till sunset

Location

Hagizono Beach, Hagizono, Asahi-shi, Chiba Prefecture

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Art Fans, Friends, Families, Couples, Cool people

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The History Of Giving

Exhibition: Souvenirs as Mirror of Japanese Culture

If you've lived in Japan long enough you know that omiyage — the culture of offering gifts to people — is like breathing: you can't go by without it. This exhibition explores the history of omiyage and answers important questions such as "What characterizes omiyage," "What kind of omiyage do Japanese people buy and for whom?," and "Why are omiyage such an important cultural aspect in Japan?" A rare exhibition that'll give you a brand new perspective the next time you're buying those cakes at the shinkansen station.

Date

Now through Mon, Sept 17, 2018

Time

9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location

National Museum of Japanese History, Special Exhibition Galleries A&B, 117 Jonai-cho, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture

Fee

¥830 (Adults)

Info

Recommended for: Fans of Japanese culture and history, Academics, Omiyage fans

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Gotta Catch 'Em All

Edogawa Goldfish Festival

Fish for good luck at the Goldfish Festival this weekend. Known for its love for goldfish, Edogawa will be hosting a fish scooping competition, art shows, and aquarium fish exhibits for people of all ages to enjoy. Catch as many as you can and bring them home as a memory of a lovely summer!

Date

Sat, July 21-Sun, July 22, 2018

Time

10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Until 4 p.m. on Sun)

Location

GYOSEN PARK, 3-2-1 KITA-KASAI, EDOGAWA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Families, Kids

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Friendship Is...

Snoopy Museum Final Exhibition: Friendship In Peanuts

From strong bonds that go beyond species and friends talking about life "leaning against the wall," in his work and life, Charles M. Schulz was able to continuously bring our attention to what true friendship is really all about. And now, before this famous museum closes its doors in September, it's time to stop by to see this final exhibition focusing on the various types of friendship represented in the Peanuts comic strip. You won't regret your visit.

Date

Now through Mon, Sept 24, 2018

Time

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (admission until 7:30 p.m.)

Location

Snoopy Museum Tokyo Roppongi 5-6-20, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥2,000 (Adults), ¥600 (4 year olds-Elementary school students)

Info

Recommended for: Kids, Families

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Cultural Festivities

Africa Festival 2018

Held for the 5th consecutive year, this is one of the best African cultural festivals held in Tokyo, and one that gets the most crowds. Stop by to learn about the continent's rich culture, from various performances to tons of good food and souvenirs to take back home.

Date

Sat, July 21-Sun, July 22, 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, People who love learning about the world

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Curiouser and curiouser!

Alice In Wonderland: Kids Show

If you can't remember the last time you took your kid to a theatrical performance, here's your chance to change things around. This Japanese edition of Alice in Wonderland is specifically designed for children and features dancing, singing, colors and vibrancy and so much fun!

Date

Fri, July 20-Sun, July 22, 2018

Time

7 p.m. (Friday), 1 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Sat), 1 p.m. (Sun)

Location

Kanagawa Arts Theater, 281, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Fee

¥3,500 (Adults), ¥1,500 (Children), ¥4,500 (Parent-child pair ticket)

Info

Recommended for: Parents and kids, Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents

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Music On The Beach

Muro Festival 2018

One of the hottest music festivals in the capital, this one features over 50 artists throughout the weekend, including popular faces like "Brian the Sun," "Lacco Tower," "Magic of Life" and more. Stop by if you can party all day long — it's more than worth it!

Date

Sat, July 21-Sun, July 22, 2018

Time

From 10 a.m.

Location

Odaiba beachside, outdoor stage

Fee

¥7,200 (On the day tickets)

Info

Recommended for: Music fans, Friends, Outdoor party lovers

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© Photo by Ainhoa Valle

Poetry Meets Butoh

Tokyo Poetry Journal ToPoJo Volume 6 Launch Party

Join fellow writers and poets at the launch event for the release of Tokyo Poetry Journal's latest issue, Volume 6. The new issue boasts a special section on Butoh and Poetry, an ever-richer mix of work by Tokyo-based English language poets and vivid new translations of Japanese poets. The event will feature poetry readings, Butoh dance by solo performer Kudo Taketeru and Barabbas Okuyama of Dairakudakan, and live music. For further information, email: topojo2015@gmail.com

Date

Sat, July 21, 2018

Time

7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Location

Nagatacho Grid, 2-5-3, Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥3,000 (Includes one drink and a copy of ToPoJo Vol 6.)

Info

Recommended for: Poets, Translators, Writers, People who want to try something new

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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