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

This week is all about celebrating history and tradition while enjoying modernity in all its forms! Step back in time with two widely popular shrine festivals, learn more about where we stand internationally through an eye-opening photo exhibition, get a creativity boost at the short films festival, or spend a quiet evening enjoying a green tea-inspired beer!

© Photo by John Moore: Crying Girl on the Border, United States, Getty Images

Where We Stand

Exhibition: World Press Photo 2019

This eye-opening photo exhibition depicts the gravity of some of the world's most severe conflicts and pressing issues, bringing together the award-winning works of dozens of acclaimed photographers. Among them is this year's World Press Photo of the Year winner, John Moore's heartbreaking capture of a 2-year-old Honduran asylum seeker caught crying as her mother is searched and detained near the U.S.-Mexico border. As difficult it is to watch, this exhibition is a must-see for all of us.

Date

Sat, June 8-Sun, Aug 4, 2019

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M.

Location

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Yebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥800 (General)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: PHOTOJOURNALISTS, JOURNALISTS, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD

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Hydrangea Dream

Bunkyo Ajisai Festival

Hakusan Jinja Shrine in Tokyo's Bunkyo ward welcomes 3,000 blooming ajisai (hydrangea) early summer every year. Now is your chance to admire the beautiful floral view as you stroll down the old Edo-style paths of the famous shrine. There will also be various events and food booths to keep visitors entertained.

Date

Sat, June 8-Sun June 16, 2019

Time

9 A.M.-5 P.M.

Location

HAKUSAN JINJA SHRINE, 5-31-26 HAKUSAN, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, INSTAGRAMMERS

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© Photo by 山王祭広報委員会

Sacred Parade

Sanno Festival

Stopping by major spots including Ginza and Tokyo station, this iconic matsuri is a giant street parade featuring 300 people wearing traditional outfits. At this event, you will not only get a chance to see the usual mikoshi being carried but also watch a number of cultural activities, including the making of Japanese sweets and tea ceremonies, as well as taiko drum acts, traditional dances and children's performances. One of the largest in the capital, if you want to experience traditional Japan, this is your event!

Date

Fri, June 7-Mon, June 17, 2019

Time

FROM 11 a.m. ON FRIDAY, 10 A.M. ON SATURDAY, 12 P.M. ON SUNDAY. SEE OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS for other dates.

Location

HIEI-JINJA SHRINE, 2-10-5, NAGATACHO, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, JAPANESE CULTURE FANS, INSTAGRAMMERS

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Cultural Celebrations

Vietnam Festival 2019

Enjoy tons of great Vietnamese food, traditional arts, live music from popular artists and a lot of souvenirs to take back home. Some 150,000 people are predicted to attend the festival, so be prepared for a big crowd!

Date

Sat, June 8-Sun, June 9, 2019

Time

10 A.M.-8 P.M.

Location

YOYOGI PARK EVENTS SQUARE, 2-3 JINNAN, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE!

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: VIETNAMESE RESIDENTS IN JAPAN, FANS OF VIETNAM, FOODIES, FRIENDS, COUPLES, FAMILIES

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Lion Parade

Tsukiji Shishi Festival

Happening once a year in Tsukiji, the Shishi Festival is another matsuri you don't want to miss. Held for protection and good luck, Namiyoke Inari Shrine will carry the mikoshi and two golden lion heads across the streets. Immerse in the traditional cultural atmosphere as you enjoy a variety of matsuri snack food and shinto performances along the way.

Date

Fri, June 7-Mon, June 10, 2019

Time

All day long

Location

NAMIYOKE INARI SHRINE, 6-20-37 TSUKIJI, CHUO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, INSTAGRAMMERS, FRIENDS, MATSURI FANS

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Made From The Heart

Yokohama Handmade Marche

Get yourself ready for freshly handmade products by some 3,000 local craftsmen. Choose from a variety of different crafts including accessories, interior goods and even food to take home with you. You can also make your own crafts as a gift to yourself or your special someone.

Date

Sat, June 8-Sun, June 9, 2019

Time

11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Location

PACIFICO YOKOHAMA B,C,D HALL, 1-1-1 MINATO MIRAI, NISHI-KU, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE

Fee

¥1,000 (Same day ticket)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: DIY FANS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS

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For The Love of the Film

ShortShorts Film Festival

Another weekend of this famous short film festivals for those of you who haven't had the chance to see it yet. Launched in 1999 as a small film festival in Harajuku that featured only six short titles by George Lucas when he was a student, this annual event has grown to become one of the largest Academy-recognized film festivals in Asia. This year, some 200 titles selected from 10,000 contestants from over 130 countries are screened in several locations around Tokyo. A perfect event to get some creativity and inspiration boost!

Date

Now through SUN, JUNE 16, 2019

Time

VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)

Location

OMOTESANDO HILLS SPACE O / ANDAZ TOKYO, ANDAZ STUDIO / ITSCOM STUDIO & HALL, FUTAGOTAMAGAWA RISE / SHIDAX CULTURE HALL, AND OTHERS

Fee

FREE! (SOME PROGRAMS ARE CHARGED)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, SOLO DATES

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Gone Green

Matcha Beer Garden

While there are tons of matcha-flavored sweets on the market, only a handful of brave brands turn to the green powder to combine it with alcohol. The popular Green Tea Restaurant 1899 Ochanomizu in Kanda, however, does this every year and does it extremely well. Indulge in its unique out-in-the-terrace green tea-flavored beer garden, which includes 11 different types of matcha-infused beer and even wine (how is that possible?) The food menu, as you can guess, includes green tea sausages, tea leaves pizza, matcha sweets and more.

Date

Now through Mon, Sept 30, 2019

Time

5 P.M.- 11 P.M.

Location

Green Tea Restaurant 1899 Ochanomizu, 3-4 Surugadai, Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥3,500 for 2h all-you-can-drink. Food can be ordered a la carte.

Info

Recommended for: Friends, Matcha lovers, Couples, Instagrammers

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A Voyage Of Discovery

EU Film Days 2019

EU Film Days is a festival that brings the best of European cinema to audiences in Japan. This year's featured films, many of which shown for the first time in Japan, have been chosen in order to exhibit the wide range of film-making talent in the European Union as well as to showcase the EU’s cultural diversity and vibrancy. From Ireland's "The Queen of Ireland," a documentary on the life of Panti, the country's most famous drag queen, to Sweden's heartwarming "The Giant," there's much to see at this event. Check the schedule for details on each film.

Date

Now through THU, JUNE 27, 2019

Time

DEPENDS ON SCREENING (SEE SCHEDULE)

Location

NATIONAL FILM ARCHIVE OF JAPAN, 3-7-6 KYOBASHI, CHUO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

SINGLE TICKET: ¥520, ELEMENTARY AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: ¥100

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, FRIENDS, FILM STUDENTS

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Japan's Next Superfood Under One Roof

Food Event: Fermentation Tourism Nippon

This creative museum tucked in Shibuya's Hikarie has held a variety of exhibitions showcasing the unique character of Japan’s 47 prefectures. For the museum’s latest exhibition, the team has chosen "fermentation" with a specific focus on food, a rather hot topic in the food industry. Gradually getting popular as Japan's next superfood, come pick your own selection of fermented goodies at this special museum gathering!

Date

Now through Mon, July 8, 2019

Time

11 A.M. TO 8 P.M.

Location

d47 MUSEUM, Shibuya Hikarie 8F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free admission

Info

Recommended for: Foodies, Shopping dates

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