©Photo by Jun Sato

This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For December 9-10

Exhibitions, Holiday Shopping, And Fun In The City

By The Savvy Team |
December 8, 2017 |
What's Happening

We're moving fast forward toward the winter holidays and yes, you can already see Tokyo covered in illuminations, Christmas sales and festive markets. But before we fully get into the holiday spirit, here are a few events you wouldn't want to miss. Enjoy!

Master of Dark Humor

Joan Cornella Japan Solo Exhibition 2017

Cartoonist Joan Cornella has been rising to fame in recent years with his dark humor works on subjects that are typically considered a taboo. While considered ‘offensive’ at times, Cornella tackles on real-life issues — think over-digitalized societies, drug addiction, oppression of minority groups, and more — through humor with the hope to raise awareness of important issues we all need to tackle together.

Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, DEC. 10, 2017
Time: 11 A.M.-8 P.M.
Location: T-ART HALL, 2-6-10 HIGASHI SHINAGAWA, SHINAGAWA-ku, TOKYO
Fee: ¥1,200

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Goodies & Hot Wine

Yokohama Akarenga Christmas Market

The Akarenga Christmas market is one of the biggest of its kind around Tokyo, gathering tens of thousands of visitors annually. A great place to visit for shopping, eating and sightseeing, as well as experience a truly festive spirit with a giant Christmas tree, hot wine, seasonal ornaments, Akarenga original goods, and workshops. Santa Claus will also be making an appearance every now and then while the market is on, and a major night entertainment show will be held on Dec. 6 and 13.

Date: NOW THROUGH MON, DEC. 25, 2017
Time: 11 A.M.-10 P.M. (UNTIL 11 P.M. DURING DEC. 16-25)
Location: IN AND AROUND YOKOHAMA REDBRICK WAREHOUSE, 1-1 SHIN MINATO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA
Fee: FREE

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Domestic Violence Awareness

Tell Exclusive Screening: "Love You To Death: A Year Of Domestic Violence"

A report by the UN found Japan among the top ranking countries for female homicides, out of which 20% resulted from domestic violence. To raise awareness towards the not sufficiently discussed issue of domestic violence, TELL, Tokyo’s largest lifeline organization for Japan’s international community, will be showing a screening of the BBC documentary “Love You To Death: A Year Of Domestic Violence” by Vanessa Engle. This documentary gives a shocking look at how people’s lives can be turned upside down by needless violence allegedly committed in the name of love through the stories of 86 women in Britain.

Date: FRI, DEC. 8, 2017
Time: From 5:30 P.M.
Location: SAINT MAUR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, 83 YAMATE-CHO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA (AUDITORIUM)
Fee: FREE

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A Dome Of Lights

Illuminations: Tokyo Dome City Winter Lights Garden

One of the largest illuminations sites in Tokyo, the Tokyo Dome Illuminations are spread throughout the entire dome area, including magnificent tunnels of lights, decorated Christmas trees and a mini-Tokyo Dome right in front of La Qua shopping center. This year’s illumination theme is “sweets,” with one of the main must-see spots including Hansel and Gretel’s cottage covered with over 2 million LED lights. If you have to choose one spot for your winter illuminations journey, let this be the one!

Date: Now through Feb 18, 2018
Time: 4 p.m.-12 a.m.
Location: Tokyo Dome City, 1-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free

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Organic Food

Vivre de Bio Marche in Tokyo Midtown

Purchase some of the best and fresh vegetables and fruits straight from Japan's local farms at this abundant in goods organic market. The event is full of vendors selling organic, fair trade products and handmade goodies. Lots to bring back home for sure!

Date: SAT, DEC. 9-SUN, DEC. 10, 2017
Time: 10 A.M.-4 P.M. (KITCHEN CARS UNTIL AROUND 10 P.M.)
Location: TOKYO MIDTOWN, IN FRONT OF GALLERIA GATE 9-7-1 AKASAKA, MINATO-ku, TOKYO
Fee: FREE

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Art and Horror

Art Exhibition: "Fear in Painting"

Based on a popular book by Kyoko Nakano, the "Fear in Painting" exhibition explores the theme of fear and tragedy in Western art pieces from 16th to 20th century. In the exhibit are 80 Victorian-era pieces in which fear in religion, death, vengeance and social issues like alcoholism and poverty are displayed.

Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, DEC. 17, 2017
Time: 9 A.M.-8 P.M.
Location: UENO ROYAL MUSEUM, 1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥1,600 (GENERAL)

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All About Britain

The Great British Weekend Tokyo

Major British brands and companies gather 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 by harpist Julia Mascetti (also a dear Savvy contributor), the international band The Watanabes, and more.

Date: FRI, DEC. 8-SAT, DEC.10, 2017
Time: 6 P.M.-10 P.M. (FRI), 10 A.M.-10 P.M. (SAT), 10 A.M.-6 P.M. (SUN)
Location: ROPPONGI HILLS ARENA, 6-10-1 ROPPONGI, MINATO-ku, TOKYO
Fee: FREE

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Architectural Perspectives

Exhibition — Tadao Ando: Endeavors

"Tadao Ando: Endeavors” is a unique exhibition which focuses on the unconventional self-taught Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who has realized ambitious projects throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. The exhibition, divided into six sections — “Origins/Houses,” “Light,” “Void spaces,” “Reading the site,” “Building upon what exists, creating that which does not exist,” and “Nurturing” — provides a unique opportunity to witness more than 200 models, sketches, and drawings which have been designed by the architect himself.

Date: Now through Mon, Dec. 18, 2017
Time: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Location: The National Art Center Tokyo, Special Exhibition Gallery 1E＋Open-Air Exhibition Area, 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥1,500 (Adults), ¥1,200 (College students), ¥800 (High school students)

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Art & About

Xmas Art Festa 2017

"Ginza galleries," a voluntary organization consisting of 37 galleries in the Ginza area, is hosting a special festive event for art lovers. "Xmas Art Festa" will have each participating gallery host the visitors with special exhibitions which showcase various artworks, from museum-class masterpieces such as Renoir to approachable small works, from traditional pictures or potteries to contemporary arts.

Date: FRI, DEC. 8-SAT, DEC. 16, 2017
Time: Various (DEPENDS ON EACH GALLERY'S BUSINESS HOURS)
Location: GINZA 5-CHOME, 6-CHOME, 7-CHOME AND 8-CHOME. SEE EACH GALLERY'S WEBSITE FOR ACCESS INFORMATION
Fee: FREE

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See For Yourself

After School Open House Week At Crescendo Kids Studio

Crescendo Kids Studio will be holding an 'open house week' for its After School Club program for children of ages between 4 and 10. Parents and children considering joining the school program can stop by to observe and see how the studio operates. During the week, children will be given time to work on their school homework with the support of bilingual educators, and will be participating in various activities such as music, dance, yoga, arts and more. Each child is eligible for a free trial for one day during the term. Parents are also welcome to join (and leave at any time). For inquiries and reservations, send an email to info@crescendokids.co.jp

Date: Now through FRI, DEC. 8, 2017
Time: 3 P.M.-7 P.M. (DROP BY ANYTIME, BUT IT'S RECOMMENDED TO STAY FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR)
Location: CRESCENDO KIDS STUDIO, 2-27-4 HIGASHI, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
Fee: FREE

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Fun Learn

STEM Winter School & Winter Camp "The Doctors"

These two events organized by Laurus International School of Science are happening over the winter holidays, but the registration is now, so we thought we'd remind you. Open to the public, these two winter fun-learn educational events teach children about how science can be and how little we actually know about the human body.

Date: MON, DEC. 25-THU, DEC. 28, 2017
Time: Various (See website)
Location: LAURUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, 3-4-17 SHIROKANEDAI, MINATO-KU, TOKYO
Fee: Various (depends on course and duration)

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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.