This Weekend: Tokyo Area Events For Jan 28-29

"Culture" — whether traditional or modern — is definitely the keyword this week, for we're having two unique New Year's celebrations, one traditional dolls fair, a chocolate craze ahead of St. Valentines' and even a beer competition for the best pint of the year. Save the date for your favorite event!

A New Year Spectacle

Chinese New Year 2017

Held for the 31st time, Yokohama Chinatown's Chinese New Year celebration is now a popular annual tourist destination. Starting this weekend, celebrate the new year in an authentic Chinese style, with the countdown taking place from 12 a.m. on Saturday. Expect much fun, loud sounds and spectacular performances. Happy New Year to everyone celebrating the Chinese style!

Date

Sat, Jan. 28-Sat, Feb. 11, 2017

Time

Varies depending on events

Location

Around Yokohama Chinatown areas, Yamashitacho, Naka, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

Fee

Free

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For Good Luck

Daruma Doll Fair

Daruma dolls are a symbol of good luck and prosperity and they are celebrated here at this event in all shapes and sizes. Bring your old ones and leave them at the temple for good luck, while you browse through the many stalls selling new ones. Visit this colorful temple for a great traditional Japanese experience at the company of good matsuri-style food, toys and games for children.

Date

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Time

All day

Location

Takahata Fudoson Temple, Takahata 733, Hino-shi, Tokyo

Fee

Free

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Edo Period Laughs

Comical Edo People by Utagawa Hirokage

Sometimes true art is about parody and taking things not that seriously. Utagawa Hirokage’s famous work “Comical Views of Famous Places in Edo” comically depicts Edokko (slightly spoiled Edo people) having fun and goofing around in the late Edo period. With all 50 works in the series on display, this is a great chance to enjoy traditional Japanese art with a hint of comedy and entertainment.

Date

Now through Sun, Jan. 29, 2017

Time

10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location

Ota Memorial Museum of Art, 1-10-10 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥700 (adults)

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Cheers To That

Japan Brewers Cup 2017

A great selection of 210 types of beer is available to taste at this massive tasting-slash-competition event. Watch the fierce intense beer competition, where the best pint of the year is selected by relatively sober judges, and enjoy live performances, including a dance show by the professional baseball team Yokohama DeNA Baystars' cheerleading team.

Date

Fri, Jan. 27-Sun, Jan. 29, 2017

Time

5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Fri), 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sat), 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Sun)

Location

Yokohama Osanbashi Hall, 1-1 Kaigan Dori, Naka, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

Fee

¥500

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Untitled Records Vol. 10

Photo Exhibition: Keizo Kitajima's Okinawa and Fukushima

Watch award-winning photographer Keizo Kitajima's simple yet powerful photos of the everyday scenery in Okinawa and Fukushima. Be warned: it's not what you usually see in the media.

Date

Now through Sun, Feb. 19, 2017

Time

12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location

Photographers' Gallery, 4F, 2-16-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free

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Korean Style Celebration

Korean New Year

The Korean Embassy in Tokyo provides a great opportunity to experience what it is like celebrating New Year's in Korea. This Saturday, it is all about making mochi, eating good food, respecting the ancestors, and playing Korean traditional games with family and friends. Happy New Year if you're celebrating this way!

Date

Sat, Jan. 28, 2017

Time

12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Location

Korean Cultural Center Korean Embassy in Japan, 4-4-10 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free

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Choco Madness

Chocolate Paradise 2017

The chocolate madness ahead of St. Valentine's has now officially begun. This massive chocolate fair at the Seibu Ikebukuro department store features the display of over 120 chocolate brands and is one of the largest in the capital. Browse through the newest treats on the market and search for the best chocolate gift to give your significant other — if you're celebrating the Japanese way. From high brand chocolates to regular bits and bites, here you can literally dive into chocolate and never regret it.

Date

Now through Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Time

10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sundays and holidays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Location

Seibu Ikebukuro Department Store 7F, 1-28-1, Minamiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free

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Nihonshu Tasting Adventures

Japanese Sake Festival

Easily described in just a few words, this event is all about tasting, tasting and tasting of over 100 sake brands from all around Japan. Live performances by idol groups will also be held, but you may need to be slightly tipsy to enjoy them.

Date

Fri, Jan. 27-Sat, Jan. 28, 2017

Time

3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Fri), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Sat)

Location

Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan 12F Cattleya Salon A and B, 2-10-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥3,000

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Art in Style

Cubism in Japan: Picasso's Impact

Ending this weekend, here is your last chance to see this popular exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Saitama, which shows the history of Cubism and its development in Japan over the 20th century under the influence of the one and only Pablo Picasso.

Date

Now through Sun, Jan. 29, 2017

Time

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location

The Museum of Modern Art Saitama, 9−30−1 Tokiwa, Urawa-ku, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture

Fee

¥1,100 (general)

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