This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Sept 1-2
Festivals, Art, And Fun In The City
The summer vacation is almost over (while the heat unfortunately remains) and with school just about to restart, traveling out of town this weekend is perhaps not on many Tokyoites' agenda. Well, that's good news, because this weekend is all about taking it slow in Tokyo — and there are plenty of opportunities for that! Enjoy!
Soran! Soran! Soran!
The Yosakoi: Ooedo Soran Matsuri
The soran bushi chants will be loud and clear all around the Kiba area this weekend with 45 Yosakoi teams competing for best originality and costume design at this intense traditional Japanese dance performance. One of the largest events of its kind, this one is a must for anyone who needs some end-of-summer inspiration — it gets that heated!
- Date
- SUN, SEPT. 2, 2018
- Time
- 9:50 A.M.- 4:30 P.M.
- Location
- KIBA PARK, 4-6-1 HIRANO, KOTO-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE
- Info
- Recommended for: Japanese Culture Fans, Families, Friends, Dancers
Jazzy Days
Tokyo Jazz Festival
Tokyo's largest jazz festival gathers a diverse lineup of domestic and international artists, including the legendary Herbie Hancock, Lee Konitz, and Sadao Watanabe. The majority of concerts will be held at Shibuya's NHK Hall complemented by free shows along the Keyakizaka streets in Yoyogi Park, as well as several more intimate tunes at the WWW and WWWx clubs and a special parade along the famous Shibuya Center-Gai street.
- Date
- FRI, AUG. 31 - SUN, SEPT. 2, 2018
- Time
- Various. SEE DETAILED SCHEDULE ON OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- Location
- HNK HALL, YOYOGI PARK, CLUBS WWW, WWW X
- Fee
- ¥3,800-¥19,800 (NHK HALL), ¥5,000 (CLUBS), FREE (STREET & Yoyogi Park)
- Info
- Recommended for: Jazz fans, Friends, Couples
Too Real To Be True
Goldfish Art: Riusuke Fukahori Exhibition
Known for his extremely real painting of goldfish, Riusuke Fukahori is a young artist who gets his inspiration from the many kingyo he used to see as a child. Now, he is the proud painter of hundreds of goldfish-inspired art pieces and this exhibition will showcase the best of his work so far. Last chance to see it is this weekend!
- Date
- Now through Sun, Sept. 2, 2018
- Time
- 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location
- The Hiratsuka Museum of Art, 1-3-３ Nishiyawata, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Fee
- ¥900 (General)
- Info
- Recommended for: Art fans, Animal Art fans, Couples, Solo dates
All Hail The UK
The Great British Weekend
Following a great success last December, The Great British Weekend is back to Roppongi Hills this year due to popular demand. Major British brands and companies will be gathering to show Japan the latest fashion, music, car, travel spots, and of course, food and drinks from the U.K. There will be music performances, kids workshops, rugby talk shows, Guinness World Records challenges, fish and chips fast eating competitions and more!
- Date
- Sat, Sept 1-Sun, Sept 2, 2018
- Time
- 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Sat), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sun)
- Location
- Roppongi Hills Arena, Event Space, 6-11-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Families, Brits in Tokyo, UK Fans
Spiritual Party
Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine Grand Festival
One of the largest autumn matsuri in Tokyo, this one sees 20 mikoshi portable shrines parade around Shimokitazawa until they're carried back to the shrine at end of the festival. While all this is going on, the shrine will keep visitors busy with various traditional music and stage performances— including wadaiko drums, Shrine maidens' dances, and (deep breath, please) even belly dance.
- Date
- Sat, Sept 1-Sun, Sept 2, 2018
- Time
- 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Location
- Kitazawa-Hachiman Shrine, 3-25-3 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Matsuri fans, Families, Friends, Social Media Influencers
#InBaeWeTrust
Bae Tokyo Event ft. BananaLemon & TIGARAH
Overcoming differences in culture, race, and gender identity, Bae Tokyo was established in 2015 as a devoted community to support talented female creatives. Through events in collaboration with various artists, Bae is providing a platform to introduce music and culture from around the world, promote artists and their works and foster an inclusive environment that brings people together. This Saturday, you're invited to join the party, meet the organizers and enjoy some real good live performances (including BananaLemon, TIGARAH, Little Dead Girl, DJ Miyu and more) to get your creative spirits flowing.
- Date
- Sat, Sept 1, 2018
- Time
- 11 p.m.-5 a.m.
- Location
- Circus Tokyo, 3-26-16 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥3,000
- Info
- Recommended for: Musicians, Girls' Night Out, Friends, Creative Minds Who Want To Meet Likeminded People
Spicy As Hell And Tasty As Well
Gekikara Gourmet Festival
Find how much spice you need in your life at this festival of everything from ultra hot curry rice to ramen, spicy chicken and the like served to you by prominent cooks from all over the world. Held for the 6th consecutive year, the second (out of four) session for this summer will take place this weekend. Make the last of your summer extra hot!
- Date
- Tue, Aug 28-Sun, Sept. 2, 2018. (Stage 3 and Stage 4 scheduled until Sept. 17)
- Time
- 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Location
- SHINJUKU OKUBO PARK, 2-43 KABUKICHO, SHINJUKU-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- Free entry
- Info
- Recommended for: Foodies, Spicy food fans, Couples, Friends
Local Adventures
Jiyugaoka Kumano Shrine Festival
This local shrine in Jiyugaoka is surprisingly rarely spoken of, yet it is one of the most serene hidden spots in Tokyo. Its annual festival gathers people from all over the world carrying the mikoshi and participating in the festival, and the food stalls will keep you full throughout the weekend. A beautiful event that brings all people in the area together.
- Date
- Sat, Sept 1-Sun, Sept 2, 2018
- Time
- 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Location
- KUMANO SHRINE, 1-24-12 JIYUGAOKA, MEGURO-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- Free!
- Info
- Recommended for: Fans of less crowded local matsuri, Families, Couples
What Do We See?
The Phantom of the Opera by Ken Hill
Ken Hill's beloved musical adaptation of Gaston Leroux's classic tale of tragedy, grand opera, romance and horror, is back in Tokyo for a yet another tour. It doesn't matter how many times you see this musical, it's always a breath of fresh air.
- Date
- Wed, Aug 29-Sun, Sept 9, 2018
- Time
- Various. See website.
- Location
- Tokyu Theater Orb, 1F Shibuya Hikarie 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥6,800-¥11,800
- Info
- Recommended for: Couples, Weekend Dates, People In Need of A Cultural Boost Away from The Crowds
All You Can Drink
Satozake Festa For Women
This event, dedicated to women who enjoy a few cups of sake, is held for the fifth consecutive year and will feature 35 sake breweries, 100 kinds of sake and over 2 hours of free flow (and a some selected food bites). A great event if you're into sake tasting.
- Date
- Sat, Sept 1, 2018
- Time
- 12:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m.
- Location
- Tokyo Traffic Hall Cattleya salon 12F, 2-10-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥3,240
- Info
- Recommended for: Women who love sake, Girls' Fun Day Out
Attending any of these events? Send us photos through Facebook or Instagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo
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