This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For December 2-3

Before we know it it's almost December, meaning it's time to get in the Christmas and holiday spirit — not only by indulging in festive shopping but also by giving back to the community! On the agenda this week are two of the largest Christmas markets in the capital, several cultural exhibitions, a run for a cause marathon in Hibiya park and a major street dance show in Yoyogi park. It's getting colder, but these events will make you go out despite the chill! Enjoy!

Scent Of Autumn

Jingugaien Ginkgo Festival

Held every year in the fall season, the Ginkgo Festival is back again in Jingugaien. The marvelous yellow leaves along the ginkgo alley is one sight not to be missed! The festival is also known for its variety of food, this year with 44 vendors altogether selling everything from Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and grilled oyster to warm drinks fit for the season. A perfect event to taste, feel, and smell autumn all at once.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, DEC. 3, 2017

Time

10 A.M.-8 P.M.

Location

GAIEN ICHO NAMIKI WATER FOUNTAIN AREA, 2 KASUMIGAOKAMACHI, SHINJUKU-KU, TOKYO

Fee

FREE

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'Tis The Season

Roppongi Hills Christmas Market

Among the many Christmas markets that will soon light up every part of the city, the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market is the Japanese replication of Stuttgart’s famous (and one of the world’s largest) Christmas marché. Rest assured that you'll find plenty of Christmas buys here as there will be over 2,000 goodies on sale — from authentic German delicacies to snow globes, ornaments, crafts, and other festive kitsch.

Date

Now through MON, DEC. 25, 2017

Time

11 A.M.-9 P.M. (UNTIL 10 P.M. ON FRI, SAT)

Location

Roppongi Hills O-Yane Plaza, 6-11-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free

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Autumn Matsuri

Chichibu Night Festival

One of the best known autumn festivals in the Kanto region, the Chichibu Night Festival is an authentic Japanese cultural event that will surely warm you up, despite the cool late autumn nights. Boasting a history of over 300 years, the festival is one of the biggest hikiyama (wheeled festival floats) events in Japan, annually attracting visitors from around the world. The highlight of the event takes place on the night of Dec. 3, when the floats — each weighing 20 tons — are dragged up steep slopes. There will be fireworks at night, making the event extra spectacular.

Date

SAT, DEC. 2-SUN, DEC. 3, 2017

Time

FROM THE MORNING, EXPECTED TO END AT AROUND 10 P.M.

Location

AROUND CHICHIBU SHRINE NEAR CHICHIBU STATION, SAITAMA PREFECTURE

Fee

FREE

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Run For A Cause

Tokyo Run For The Cure Walk For Life 2017

Help raise awareness towards breast cancer by running or walking under the nice autumn weather this Saturday. The event includes a 10k/5k course run or a 3k walk around Hibiya Park, as well as a raffle for a chance to win awesome prizes such as a ticket to Guam, a 2-week language exchange program abroad, and a stay at the Peninsula Tokyo. Reservations are open until Nov. 29.

Date

SAT, DEC. 2, 2017

Time

9 A.M.-1:30 P.M.

Location

AROUND HIBIYA PARK AND NEARBY STREETS

Fee

¥5,000 (ADULTS), ¥2,500 (6-12 YEARS OLD), FREE FOR CHILDREN BELOW 5

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Road To Fame

Big In Japan

With the ever so growing “Gaijin talent” boom in Japan, three Aussie filmmakers take the fever to the next level. “Big in Japan” is a comical investigation documentary into the complex nature of fame in modern culture and the phenomenon of foreign celebrities in Japan. The event includes the screening of the movie and an exclusive Q&A session with a very special appearance by stars of the film, including everyone’s favorite cross-dressing rock god, Ladybeard. Come and find out what it takes to be big in Japan.

Date

SUN, DEC. 3, 2017

Time

FROM 7 P.M.

Location

HUMAX IKEBUKURO CINEMA, 1-22-10 Higashi Ikebukuro Humax Pavilion Ikebukuro 60 Sunshine St

Fee

¥2,375 (BOOKING FEE INCLUDED)

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Evolution Of Art

Special Exhibition: Amazing Craftsmanship! From Meiji Kogei to Contemporary Art

With the growing interest in Meiji crafts in recent years, this exhibition focuses on accredited Meiji Kogei craftworks from the Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum collection and examines the impact it had on contemporary artists today. From intricate pottery designs to realistic jizai okimono (lifelike, articulated animal figures), watch how different forms of art transformed throughout time.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, DEC. 3, 2017

Time

10 A.M.-5 P.M.

Location

MITSUI MEMORIAL MUSEUM, Mitsui Honkan 7F, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥1,300 (GENERAL)

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Step Up!

Shibuya Street Dance Week

This weekend, professional and amateur street dancers of all ages will unite for one of the best street dance events in Tokyo. From a high school team competition, dance battles, and a flash mob session, this Shibuya show is like no other! Come to see, feel, and dance along!

Date

SUN, DEC. 3, 2017

Time

11 A.M.-3:30 P.M.

Location

YOYOGI PARK, 2 JINNAN, YOYOGI, SHIBUYA-ku, TOKYO

Fee

FREE

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Japanese Tea Awards

Tokyo Tea Party 2017

There’s nothing better than a cup of tea on a cold afternoon. This weekend, come taste the top 18 selected tea leaves chosen from 405 contestants and cast your vote for the best ocha of the year. The main event takes place on Sunday, during which the Platinum Prize winners from the Japan Tea Awards will be presented. Visitors can take part in and taste different tea blends for free. A perfect event for tea enthusiasts.

Date

FRI, DEC. 1-SUN, DEC. 3, 2017

Time

11:30 A.M.-8:30 P.M. (FRI), 11 A.M.-8 P.M. (SAT, SUN UNTIL 5 P.M.)

Location

SHIBUYA HIKARIE 8, 2-21-1 SHIBUYA, SHIBUYA-ku, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,000 (RESERVATION ONLINE, PAY AT THE DOOR)

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Merry Shopping

Swedish Christmas Bazaar

Japan’s contingent of SWEA — the worldwide non-profit organization for Swedish and Swedish-speaking women — will once again gather Tokyo’s international community for the annual Swedish Christmas Bazaar. The bazaar offers visitors the unique chance to taste delicious Swedish foods, get into the festive mood with a warm cup of glögg (mulled wine), and shop for handicrafts. There will be live folk music and performances, as well as a raffle with some great prizes. By joining the event, you will also be supporting Tohoku, as all proceeds will go toward the rebuilding of the disaster-stricken area in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Date

SUN, DEC. 3, 2017

Time

12 P.M.-4 P.M.

Location

Swedish Embassy, 1-10-3-100 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥1,000 (INCLUDING RAFFLE TICKET)

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Simple And Stylish

Otto Nebel And His Contemporaries―Chagall, Kandinsky, Klee

Otherwise known as a “hidden talent,” Otto Nebel had produced works across different sectors of art, including water color and oil painting of architecture and abstract views in his everyday life. Contrast and color are key features of his art, and at the exhibition, visitors can also see some of the major works by Chagall, Kandinsky, and Klee, the three artists who greatly influenced the way Nebel saw and depicted his world.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, DEC. 17, 2017

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M. (FRI AND SAT UNTIL 9 P.M.)

Location

BUNKAMURA THE MUSEUM, 2-24-1, DOGENZAKA, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,500 (GENERAL)

More Info