This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Mar 31-Apr 1

No, it's not an April Fool joke — this will most likely be the last weekend to enjoy Tokyo's cherry blossoms in full bloom, which means that if you haven't done this year's hahami yet, it's time to get that obento ready, call your friends and plan a day in the park. But just in case you're after something different that flower viewing, there's still plenty of opportunities to enjoy! Here are our top event picks for the upcoming week(end).

© Photo by Showa Memorial Park

Flower Carpet

Showa Kinen Park Flower Festival

Tachikawa's Showa Memorial Park is a heaven for family outings: there's flower viewing, picnicking, playing sports, barbecuing, water play, and so much more. Since last week, the park is hosting its annual Flower Festival, which includes hundreds of hectares of beautiful spring flowers of all colors and kinds. This weekend, enjoy sakura in full bloom — there are 1,500 cherry trees of some 30 kinds for your delight — and tulips too! A perfect venue to get away from the crowds of Tokyo and enjoy a day in the park!

Date

Now through Sun, May 27, 2018

Time

9:30 A.M.–5 P.M.

Location

3173 MIDORI-CHO, TACHIKAWA-SHI, TOKYO (CLOSEST STATION: NISHI TACHIKAWA)

Fee

¥410 (ADULTS), ¥80 (ELEMENTARY AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS)

Info

Recommended for: Families, Couples, Social Media Influencers

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Seasonal Blossoms

Sakura Events Across The City

While the city is officially covered in pink, it’s important to remind ourselves that the sakura experience in Japan is not limited to sitting under the trees and admiring the cherry blossom canopy — the sakura is everywhere: in hotels, in shows as well as in the food we eat in March and April. Click "More Info" to see 10 of the capital’s best sakura-themed events and seasonal specials happening at this very moment!

Date

Sat, March 31-Sun, April 1, 2018

Time

Various

Location

Across the city

Fee

DEPENDS ON EVENT

Info

Recommended for: Everyone fond of sakura, Families, Couples, Friends, Instagrammers

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Japanese Beauty In Art

Hokusai Beauty: The Brilliant Women of Edo

An exhibition celebrating Katsushika Hokusai's fascination with beautiful women as depicted in his bijinga (portraits of beautiful women) ukiyoe paintings. The exhibition explores some 130 of Hokusai's works and guides visitors through what the Japanese perceived as beautiful back in the Edo period.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, APRIL 8, 2018. (CLOSED MONDAYS)

Time

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

Location

HOKUSAI MUSEUM, 2-7-2 KAMEZAWA, SUMIDA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,000 (ADULTS)

Info

RECOMMENDED FOR: FANS OF JAPANESE ART, COUPLES, ARTISTS, SOLO DATES

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Man's Best Friends

Interpets 2018

Interpets is a massive annual trade show showcasing the latest pet trends in Japan and teaching us how we can improve the lives of our pets. Last year, over 38,000 visitors attended the event, which featured 404 domestic and international exhibitors. This year, with 480 exhibitors, organizers promise it’ll be even better! Enjoy various stages, workshops, special campaigns, pet food and toys and so much more! If you have a pet or plan to have one (or simply enjoy the sight of them), this is your event!

Date

Fri, MARCH 30 - SUN, APRIL 1, 2018

Time

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location

Tokyo Big Sight, East Hall 1, 2, 3, 4, 3-11-1 ARIAKE, KOTO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥2,000 (GENERAL)

Info

Recommended for: Pet owners

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Street Blossoms

Bunkyo Sakura Festival

Welcome spring with the annual Bunkyo Sakura Festival. While the festival runs until April 8, this weekend will be the best time to head there as there will be a wide array of special cultural events, including taiko and music performances, a visiting zoo, parades and more happening under the famous location's 120 sakura trees, which are now in full bloom.

Date

Now through Sun, April 8, 2018. Special events on Sat, March 31 and Sun, April 1.

Time

Special events: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Location

HARIMAZAKA STREET, 4 AND 5-CHOME, KOISHIKAWA, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free

Info

Recommended for: Families, Couples, Flower viewers, Social media influencers

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Spring Freedom

Harukaze Music Festival 2018

This annual outdoor party welcomes the arrival of the hanami season with two days of free live music, art and fun events in Yoyogi Park. Expect various performances, market stalls, food and drinks, and a wide range of other fun activities.

Date

Sat, March 31-Sun, April 1, 2018

Time

12 p.m.-8 p.m. (Sat), 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Sun)

Location

YOYOGI PARK, 2-1 YOYOGI KAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Couples, Families, Park date with friends

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Walk The Garden

Flower Garden Yokohama

Witness Yokohama's Red Brick Warehouse turn into a massive (and gorgeous) "wildflower garden" under this year's event theme for this popular annual event. Launched since 2007 to commemorate the then-5th anniversary of the renewal of Yokohama's symbol, this annual garden of some 14,200 blooming flowers is the perfect venue for a pleasant stroll amid blooming flowers and greenery. There will be many events and food as well, including, of course, edible flowers and blossom-inspired gifts to take back home.

Date

Sat, March 31-Sun, April 22, 2018

Time

All day. Light up: 6 p.m.-12 a.m.

Location

YOKOHAMA RED BRICK WAREHOUSE EVENT PLAZA, 1-1 SHINKO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE

Fee

Free

Info

Recommended for: Instagrammers, Families, Couples, Photographers

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Cultural Festivities

Tokyo Thingyan Festival 2018

Every year in April, Myanmar holds a traditional New Year's Festival during which all evil and bad luck from the previous year is washed away when festival participants are covered in water. While Tokyo's version of the festival won't pour water on visitors, it's a fun event that celebrates Myanmar's culture through traditional performances, music, food, drinks and handmade crafts to take back home. If you're going to Yoyogi Park for the sakura, stop by — it's definitely worth it!

Date

Sun, April 1, 2018

Time

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location

Hibiya Park, 1 Hibiyakoen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free!

Info

Recommended for: Myanmar nationals living in Japan, Foodies, Families, Couples, Friends

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© Photo by On the roof of the Nihon Gekijo Theatre, Ginza, 1947 ©Tadahiko Hayashi Archives

Photo Exhibition

A Titan of Showa Era Photography: The Work of Tadahiko Hayashi as a Narrative on His Times

Held as a centenary celebration of the birth of renowned Japanese photographer Tadahiko Hayashi (1918—1990), this special exhibitions showcases Hayashi's most famous works done in Showa Era-Japan. In his lifetime, Hayashi was able to capture some of Japan's most historically-significant looks: from the country's post-war recovery and rapid economic growth, to the Bubble Era and beyond. Part 1 of the exhibition displays monochrome photographs documenting postwar Tokyo and its people. Part 2, coming up in June will feature some of his well-known color photographs. A must-see exhibition for anyone interested in Japanese history.

Date

Sun, April 1-Thu, May 31, 2018 (Part 1)

Time

10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Location

The Photo History Museum at Fujifilm Square, 9-7-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free

Info

Recommended for: Historians, Photographers

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Spanish Food Fiesta

Paella Tapas Festival 2018

Come with an empty stomach and get full on the best of the city's paella, tapas and sweets from sunny Spain at this massive Spanish food festival. You'll also get the chance to vote for your favorite paella, but consider yourself warned — there'll be plenty to choose from!

Date

Sat, March 31-Sun, April 1, 2018

Time

11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Sat), 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Sun)

Location

Yoyogi Park, 2-1 YOYOGIKAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free admission

Info

Recommended for: Foodies (especially fans of Spanish cuisine)

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