This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For Dec. 16-17

Holiday Shopping, Art, And Fun In The City

By The Savvy Team |
December 15, 2017 |
What's Happening

The Christmas season is all about giving back to the ones you love, respect and treasure in your life — and that often means, hmm, oh well, shopping. And this weekend, there's plenty of opportunities to do this! Some of Tokyo's best flea and Christmas markets will be gathering the crowds, while there will be also a few opportunities to give back to the world by offering your support: whether by going to see a show, attending a charity gala, or inviting your friends to join you on a mystery journey in the heart of Tokyo! Enjoy!

Treasure Hunt

Setagaya Boroichi Flea Market

A "rag market" that traces its roots back to 438 years ago, the Boroichi flea market is a true treasure-hunting spot that offers bits of something for everyone. Held biannually in January and December near Setagaya station, the market offers an impressive lineup of over 700 stalls selling various keepsakes from kimono and clothing to pottery, handicrafts, souvenirs, toys and, of course, food.

Date: SAT, DEC. 16-SUN, DEC. 17, 2017
Time: 9 A.M.-8 P.M.
Location: BOROICHI-DORI STREET, SETAGAYA 1-CHOME, SETAGAYA-KU, TOKYO (FIVE-MINUTE WALK FROM SETAGAYA OR KAMIMACHI STATIONS ON THE SETAGAYA LINE)
Fee: FREE

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Laugh For A Cause

That's What She Said! IV: Christmas Cheer

"That’s What She Said!" is the first all-woman run and performed English comedy charity auction group, raising money for women in need. This weekend, TWSS will put on a show to raise money for victims of domestic violence, a grave issue addressed by the Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office. So this week, join in for laughs, drinks, fun, and support a great cause.

Date: FRI, DEC. 15, 2017
Time: 8 P.M.-10:30 P.M.
Location: Good Heavens British Bar Tokyo 2/F, 5-32-5 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥3,000 (WITH ONE DRINK)

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Support Education in Myanmar

Rotaract Club: Christmas Gala for a Cause

Donate to the improvement of basic education for the children of Myanmar by participating in the Christmas Gala hosted by the Tokyo Higashi-Edogawa Rotaract Club. All proceeds will benefit a primary school in Bago region, where donations will be used for construction of utilities and classrooms for the students. The event includes dance performances and networking sessions. The theme of the party is "Hollywood red carpet dress with a touch of Christmas spirit." Come and contribute to a social cause while having fun and making new friends. Reservations still open.

Date: SAT, Dec. 16, 2017
Time: 7:45 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Location: 1F Casa Asteion, 7-8 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥6,000/person

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New Shoes Cure the Blues

Hanakawado Hakidaoreichi Shoe Market

Good shoes can take a girl to good places, they say, and we nod in agreement. This week, come out to find your new pair of shoes, anything from athletic to formal. Hanakawado's shoe market is held every year, gathering all shoe stores in the Asakusa area to sell their best products at very affordable prices. And just in case you're looking for things other than shoes, worry not—there will be cheap but great quality bags, wallets, and other goodies.

Date: SAT, DEC. 16-SUN, DEC. 17, 2017
Time: 10 A.M.-5 P.M.
Location: Hanakawado Park, 2-4-15 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Fee: FREE

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Holiday Shopping

Tokyo Christmas Market 2017

This large-scale, Europe-inspired fairy-tale like market is held annually at Hibiya Park, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Expect to be impressed by the market’s great array of food and drink stalls, various international holiday crafts, and entertaining stage performances. There will also be handicraft workshops and daily live stages by German, Japanese and gospel groups.

Date: FRI, DEC. 15-MON, DEC. 17, 2017
Time: 11 A.M.-10 P.M.
Location: Hibiya Park, Hibiya Koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free

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Light It Up

Tokyo International Projection Mapping Award

Christmas illuminations in the city around this time of the year may be beautiful to see, but how about a new way to enjoy the festive, winter season? This Saturday, nominated professional and amateur computer graphic creators from around the world compete for the best projection mapping award. Watch beautiful colors and patterns light up the walls and the winter sky. The grand finale includes a spectacle of music, lights, and fireworks.

Date: SAT, DEC. 16, 2017
Time: 5 P.M.-6:35 P.M. (GATES OPEN AT 4:30 P.M.)
Location: TOKYO BIG SIGHT CONFERENCE TOWER AREA, 3-11-1 ARIAKE, KOTO-ku, TOKYO
Fee: FREE

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Metro Adventures

Tokyo Metro: The Underground Mysteries 2017

If you're looking for an adventurous time with your partners, family or even colleagues, this game is a must-try. The Underground Mysteries is a joint project by Tokyo Metro and puzzle event creator Scrap that will have you scratch your head as you explore some of Tokyo's best locations. Your goal? Solve the final question on the puzzle guidebook included in the game kit to officially call yourself Japan's Sherlock Holmes.

Date: NOW THROUGH WED, JAN. 31, 2018
Time: GAME KITS SOLD FROM 7:40 A.M. TO 8 P.M.
Location: AROUND TOKYO METRO STATIONS. Buy game kits at Tokyo Metro pass office at Ueno station or Shinjuku station. (Kits are sold at Shinjuku station only on weekends and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Fee: ¥2,160 PER GAME KIT

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Intersecting Dreams

Exhibition: Van Gogh & Japan

In the height of Japonisme boom around Europe in the 19th century, Vincent van Gogh was also one of the artists influenced by the delicate Japanese ukiyo-e art. This joint exhibition with the Van Gogh Museum presents oil paintings, woodblock prints, and sketches from museums of the world. In the first section, it includes 40 artworks by Van Gogh that explore the influence of Japonisme. The second section, on the other hand, tells us a story of how Japanese artists aspired to and adopted Van Gogh's art style.

Date: NOW THROUGH MON, JAN. 8, 2018
Time: 11 A.M.-9 P.M. (UNTIL 10 P.M. ON FRI, SAT)
Location: TOKYO METROPOLITAN ART MUSEUM, 8-36 UENO KOEN, TAITO-ku, TOKYO
Fee: ¥1,600 (GENERAL)

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L’Arte de Paris

Prints in Paris 1900: From Elite to the Street

The historical art movements in late 19th century Paris brought fame to printmaking among artists, especially with the works of avant-garde artists such as Toulouse Lautrec, allowing them to express themselves in the most fashionable way. In the exhibition, 170 works including lithographs and posters will be up on display, selected from the valuable late 19th-century collection from the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Date: NOW THROUGH MON, JAN. 8, 2018
Time: 10 A.M.-6 P.M. (SAT-THU), 10 A.M.-10 P.M. (FRI) CLOSED ON MON
Location: Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, 2-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥1,700 (GENERAL ON THE DAY)

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Aloha Kind of Christmas

Hawaii Style Christmas 2017

Celebrate a whole new kind of Christmas at shopping complex Hikarie in Shibuya this weekend, a la Hawaiian style. There will be food (of course, Hawaiian-style pancakes, malasada, kona coffee, and more), Hawaiian fashion and musical instruments, and more available for purchase. There will also be yoga and hula workshops by professionals for a fun, active, yet a unique Christmas experience.

Date: SAT, DEC. 16-SUN, DEC. 17, 2017
Time: 3 P.M.-8 P.M. (SAT), 11 A.M.-7 P.M. (SUN)
Location: SHIBUYA HIKARIE 9/F, HIKARIE HALL, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Fee: VARIES DEPENDING ON THE PROGRAM/WORKSHOP

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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!

For a full list of illuminations and Christmas markets around Tokyo, see this and this articles.