This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Sept 29-30

Cultural Events, Flowers, And Fun In The City

By The Savvy Team |
September 28, 2018 |
What's Happening

We haven't read it in the news officially, but it looks like there will be a major international summit over this last weekend of September. From Egypt to India to the Czeck Republic and the Ig Nobel Prize exhibition, there will be multiple festivals and international events to celebrate the beauty and mind creativity of many parts of the globe under the Tokyo sky. Get your passports (and cameras) ready and start your journey.

Local Adventures

Kakashi (Scarecrow) Festival

Originally started 43 years ago as a local festival to boost the spirits of all Tohoku region residents living in the Higashi Azabu area, this community festival installs kakashi (scarecrows) all over the town as a symbol of neighborhood solidarity. Apart from the usual food stalls and retro game booths, on the agenda this year are an amateur karaoke competition, musical performances, Japanese taiko live shows and — as usual — the announcement of this year's best scarecrow!

Date: FRI, SEPT. 28-SAT, SEPT. 29, 2018
Time: 4 P.M.-9 P.M. (FRIDAY), 3 P.M.-8 P.M. (SATURDAY)
Location: HIGASHI AZABU SHOPPING DISTRICT, HIGASHI AZABU, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, ACCESS: AKABANEBASHI STATION
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Families, Children, Couples

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Drip Of Bittersweetness

Tokyo Coffee Festival

Get a head start on your day this weekend at the Tokyo Coffee Festival, a popular biannual event that grants visitors two full days of coffee indulgement. Enjoy tasting and comparing various kinds of coffee from around Japan and the world. There will also be sweets, snacks, coffee-related books for sale and music performance to boost up your day (and your caffeine level). Aussie-born, Japan-inspired band The Lagerphones will also be there, playing life for free!

Date: Sat, Sept. 29-Sun, Sept. 30, 2018
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: IN FRONT OF UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY, 5-53-70 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Free admission. ¥1,500 for four cups of tasting plus an original mug to take home
Info: Recommended for: Coffee lovers, Couples, Friends,

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Shitamachi Festivities

Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri

It's nowhere but here at Shukuba Matsuri where all shitamachi townscape wonders happen. The recreation of the famous oiran dochu (courtesans parade) will bring visitors back to the good old days of the Edo Period. Visitors will also experience the must-see chindon’ya marching band performances, a tea ceremony, and other traditional Japanese festivities.

Date: Sat, Sept 29-Sun, Sept 30, 2018
Time: 11 A.M.-8 P.M.
Location: ALONG THE TOKAIDO ROAD, SHINAGAWA-KU, TOKYO. ACCESS: KITASHINAGAWA, SHIMBAMBA, AND AOMONO-YOKOCHO STATIONS
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Families, Friends, Matsuri lovers

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Autumn Space

Cosmos Flower Festival

Showa Memorial Park is a wonderful place throughout the year, but it's in autumn when it embraces some of its most picturesque looks. The park's lovely cosmos flowers are now in full bloom, forming an endless carpet of colorful flora wherever your eyes set.

Date: Now through Sun, Oct 28, 2018
Time: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Showa Memorial Park, 3173 MIDORI-CHO, TACHIKAWA-SHI, TOKYO
Fee: ¥400 admission fee for the park
Info: Recommended for: Families, Couples, Friends, Flower Photographers

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Celebrating The Goofiest Work in Science

Ig Nobel Prize Exhibition

The parody version of the Nobel Prize, the Ig Nobel Prize, has since 1991 focused on things that really matter: you know, panties that make your farts less smelly, bras that can be used as gas masks, or whether chickens are more attracted to beauties or not. Celebrating improbable inventions that make us "laugh first and think later," the creation of Marc Abrahams is making its way to Tokyo in the form of an exhibition where people can trace the history of the prize and enjoy a laugh or two. This is the first exhibition of its kind in the world — stop by if you need a new kind of inspiration!

Date: Now through SUN, NOV 4, 2018
Time: 12 P.M.-6 P.M.
Location: GALLERY AAMO, TOKYO DOME CITY, 1-3-61, KORAKU, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: ¥1,400 (ADULTS)
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: COUPLES, CREATIVE MINDS, INVENTORS, PEOPLE WITH A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR

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Japan's Largest India Fest

Namaste India 2018

Held for the 26th year, this is the single largest Indian fest in Japan, bringing 200 thousand people each year. Meditate in the wide open air, and enjoy various stage performances and shows while eating naan with chicken curry and so much more.

Date: Sat, Sept 29-Sun, Sept 30, 2018
Time: 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. (SAT), 10 A.M. TO 7:30 P.M. (SUN)
Location: YOYOGI PARK, 2-3 JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Free
Info: Recommended for: Families, Friends, Social Media Influencers

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Oh, Wouldn't it be Loverly?

Musical: My Fair Lady

Sayaka Kanda, the daughter of Japan's beloved Showa era idol Seiko Matsuda, will be wearing the hats of Eliza Doolittle in this Japanese adaptation of the famous Broadway musical. A favorite story that never gets old, this one is a must-see for anyone who needs a bit of a motivation boost and a few extra laughs in their life right now.

Date: Until SUN, SEPT. 30, 2018
Time: VARIOUS (SEE WEBSITE)
Location: TOKYO THEATER ORB, 1F SHIBUYA HIKARIE 2-21-1 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: ¥4,000-¥12,500
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: DATES, MUSICAL FANS, Solo Dates

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The Inaugural

Egypt Festival

Tokyo has been a host to various international and cultural festivals, but surprisingly, this is Egypt's first official and large-scale fest in the capital. Stop by for a quick imaginary tour around the country, while tasting authentic food, watching traditional performances and live music.

Date: Sat, Sept 29-Sun, Sept 30, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: YOYOGI PARK KEYAKI NAMIKI, 2-3 JINNAN, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Free
Info: Recommended for: Families, Friends, Egyptians In Tokyo, Foodies, World Travelers

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Bohemian Festivities

3rd Czech Festival in Japan

Another major cultural event on our list, during the three days of this event, celebrating the beauty of "the heart of Europe," visitors will have the unique opportunity to meet Czech traditions, listen to dynamic Czech music, explore tourist places of interest, taste traditional Czech gourmets (including more than five types of beer and wine), and of course buy many goodies as souvenirs for home.

Date: Fri, Sept 28-Sun, Sept 30, 2018
Time: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Harajuku Quest Hall 1-13-14 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Families, Friends, World Travelers, Czechs in Tokyo and their friends

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True Colors

Ueno Balloon Days 2018

Under the theme of "Ueno, a global capital of culture," this multi-event, held for the first time this year, will feature various stages and performances, each inspired by a certain topic on social inclusion. From children's programs to sketching statues to workshops to exhibitions and performances, this is a large-scale art event that promises to bring people closer together.

Date: Fri, Sept 28-Sun, Sept 30, 2018
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Ueno Park (Fountain Square), International Library of Children’s Literature, National Diet Library
Fee: Free!
Info: Recommended for: Families, Artists, Friends, Couples, Social Media Influencers

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What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re organizing a fun or interesting event, or you know someone who is, contact us to get it listed!

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