This Weekend: Tokyo Area Events For April 15–16

Flowers, Exhibitions, And Fun In The City

By The Savvy Team |
April 14, 2017 |
What's Happening

From several flower festivals in and around Tokyo and a dog carnival in the heart of the city, to a Disney exhibition and a traditional horseback archery, this weekend has enough events to steal you away from last minute hanami picnics.

Earthly Flowers, Heavenly Colors

Mika Ninagawa Photo Exhibition

Known for her bold use of vibrant colors and photographs of flowers and landscapes, Mika Ninagawa has been on the frontline of Japan’s fashion, photography and design scenes for years. Her projects vary from shinkansen (bullet train) decorations to photo collections of famous Japanese stars and even film directing. This spring she is decorating Marunouchi House in the most blooming and vivid spring colors.

Date: Now through Sun, May 14, 2017
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 04:00 a.m. (Weekdays), 11:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Weekends & National Holidays)
Location: Marunouchi House, Shin-Marunouchi Building 7F, 1-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free!

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Local Sights

Asakusa Yabusame

One of the relatively lesser known traditional Japanese arts, yabusame, or horseback archery, has been practiced in Japan since the 12th century. This weekend, visitors to Asakusa can enjoy a powerful live yabusame demonstration. Note that it gets crowded, so make sure to visit earlier to secure a spot.

Date: Sat, April 15, 2017
Time: 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Location: Sumida Park Special Event Stage, 7-1-22 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free!

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Inspirational Women

Documentary: Tasha Trudor

The American illustrator, gardener and children's book author Tasha Tudor is especially popular in Japan, with many of her over 100 books available in translation. Director Hikarie Matsutani talked with Tudor about her philosophy of life at her rustic Vermont estate before her passing in 2008, and completed the doc Tasha Tudor to coincide with her centennial. Starts April 15 at Kadokawa Shinjuku.

Date: From Sat, April 15, 2017
Time: Various
Location: Kadokawa Cinema Shinjuku 3-13-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥1,800 (General)

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Back To Basics

Paper Expo 2017

The paper industry may be dying more rapidly than slowly, but this weekend it's alive and kickin' at this expo dedicated to all things papery. Find unique items from all over the world from paper as material to paper used for various goods and paper as works of art, all gathered in Asakusa.

Date: Sat, April 15 - Sun, April 16, 2017
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sat), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Sun)
Location: Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Taito 7F, 2-6-5 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥500 (Adults), Free for children under elementary school age

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Witness The Magic

The Art of Disney Special Exhibition

Discover "The Magic of Animation" that was brought by Walt Disney and his animators' imagination, innovation and the technology that made it all true — from Mickey to Frozen and everything in between.

Date: Now through Sun, Sept. 24, 2017
Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥1,800 (Adults), ¥600 (Children aged 3-6)

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Weekend Delights

Easter Brunch At The Grand Hyatt

Looking for somewhere to brunch during the Easter weekend? Featuring signature french dishes with a twist of eggs, The Grand Hyatt's brunch set is the most delicious way to celebrate this Christian holiday.

Date: Sat, April 15-Sun, April 16, 2017
Time: 11:30 a.m - 3 p.m.
Location: The French Kitchen at The Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥6,200-¥8,800 per person (depending on drink choice)

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Walk The Pink Carpet

Chichibu Shibazakura Festival 2017

Head to Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu for an alternative, yet equally mesmerizing hanami experience: shibazakura, or moss phlox. The annual Chichibu Shibazakura Festival features some 400,000 fully bloomed moss phlox arranged in various shapes and swirls that stretch over four acres of the Shibazakura Hill, creating a scene right out of a painting. The festival runs until May, but the sooner you go the better!

Date: Friday, April 14 – Sunday, May 7, 2017
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Hitsujiyama Park, 6360 Omiya, Chichibu, Saitama prefecture
Fee: ¥300 (General)

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Dogs' Paradise

Wan Wan Carnival

Famous for its profound love of the man's best friend, Japan has its own mega (in size and popularity) event dedicated to dogs and their lovers. Bring your furry friend along and enjoy two full days of dog runs, performances, professional photo shoots, dog food and unique items on sale, dog cafes and more!

Date: Sat, April 15 - Sun, April 16, 2017
Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Yoyogi Park, 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free!

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Walk The Garden

Flower Garden Yokohama

Witness Yokohama's Red Brick House turn into a massive (and gorgeous) "natural garden" under this year's event theme for this popular annual event. Held to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the renewal of Yokohama's symbol, this garden is the perfect venue for a pleasant stroll amid blooming flowers and greenery.

Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, APRIL 23, 2017
Time: e ALL DAY LONG. 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!

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All You Can Eat

Thai Food Festival

One of the Asian countries with the strongest presence in Japan (who hasn’t been to a Thai restaurant at least once over the past month?), Thailand will be taking it to the front stage at Yoyogi Park this weekend for a fun two-day festival of all-you-can eat Thai food!

Date: Sat, April 15 - Sun, April 16, 2017
Time: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: HIBIYA PARK, 1-6 HIBIYAKOEN, CHIYODA-KU, Tokyo
Fee: Free entrance

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. The park is currently hosting its annual Flower Festival, which includes hundreds of hectares of beautiful tulips and other spring flowers of all colors and kinds. A perfect venue to get away from the crowds of Tokyo and enjoy a day in the park!

Date: Now through SUN, MAY 28, 2017
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)

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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