This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For January 13-14

From modern to traditional, this week is all about indulging yourself in art and culture. On the agenda are a major event gathering Japan's most famous festivals under one roof, a strawberry-themed buffet, a major flea market, and several exhibitions covering art and expression in various forms. Forget the cold and enjoy!

Experience Japan In One Day

Furusato Matsuri Tokyo 2017

Visiting all of Japan's 47 prefectures is a time (and cash)-consuming experience, but luckily a few people got together and came up with a single festival that brings the best of the best all the way from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Come and explore traditional Japanese performances, regional matsuri recreations, local specialties and more from all around Japan. One of the largest cultural events of the year, this one is a real gem.

Date

FRI, JAN. 12- SUN, JAN. 21, 2018

Time

10 A.M.-9 P.M. (UNTIL 6 P.M. ON JAN. 21)

Location

TOKYO DOME, 1-3-61 KORAKU, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,700 (WEEKENDS), ¥1,400 (WEEKDAYS)

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Framing Moments

W. Eugene Smith: A Life in Photography

This retrospective exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of documentary photography master W. Eugene Smith. A total of 150 vintage prints from the University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography are on exhibit, including many historic and powerful photographs of war-time and post-war recovery Japan. Each frame tells us a story of how people have survived and lived at different moments in history.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, JAN. 28, 2018

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M. (UNTIL 8 P.M. ON THU AND FRI)

Location

Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Yebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Fee

¥1,000 (adults)

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Treasure Hunt

Setagaya Boroichi Flea Market

It may not fall on the weekend per se, but this rag market is one you won’t want to miss. Held biannually for 439 years straight, Setagaya Boroichi is one of Japan's most historical flea markets, attracting over 400,000 visitors each year. At the Boroichi in January, you can find over 700 stalls selling everything from used and new kimono, pottery, handicrafts, toys, pre-WWII textbooks — and of course tons of local food including the renowned daikan mochi with grated radish.

Date

MON, JAN. 15-TUE, JAN. 16, 2018

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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Afternoon Tea Elegance

Strawberry Sweets Fair

Sunshine City Prince Hotel's chefs will be presenting a dream-like buffet full of strawberry-themed sweets. Come taste the endless servings of cake, mousse, tart, jelly, cream puffs, and more for only ¥3,000. The perfect occasion to take your friends and family out for an elegant afternoon tea time. Note that online reservations must be made prior to your visit.

Date

SAT, JAN. 13-WED, FEB. 28, 2018

Time

SWEETS BUFFET: 3 P.M.-5 P.M. (WEEKDAYS), 12 P.M.-2 P.M. AND 3 P.M.-5 P.M. (WEEKENDS) SWEETS AND DINNER BUFFET: 6 P.M.-9 P.M.

Location

SUNSHINE CITY PRINCE HOTEL, 3-1-5 HIGASHI IKEBUKURO, TOSHIMA-ku, TOKYO

Fee

SWEETS BUFFET: ¥3,000 (ADULTS) SWEETS AND DINNER BUFFET: ¥3,700 (ADULTS)

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Let The Creativity Flow

Tokyo Arts and Space Open Site

Launched to encourage multitalent and freedom in creators from around the world, Tokyo Arts and Space welcomes the second season of Open Space. On display are seven carefully screened projects, selected out of 283 applications. At the exhibition section, visitors can enjoy a modern interpretation of “nature,” and a separate work examining video games as an object and medium for critical inquiry, tactical intervention and personal expression. The Open Site special recommended program is the music performance by Marginal Consort, a group specializing in making music on the spot.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, JAN. 28, 2018

Time

11 A.M.-7 P.M.

Location

TOKYO ARTS AND SPACE HONGO, 2-4-16 HONGO, BUNKYO-ku, TOKYO

Fee

VARIES (CHECK PROGRAM)

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Cultural Exchange

Kodaira International Friendship Association Mochi Making and New Year’s Party

If making new friends was part of your new year’s resolutions, this event is one you must not miss. Enjoy everything from Tai Chi performances, kimono shows, to a first-come-first-served basis mochi-making experience at the international exchange association KIFA’s New Year’s party. Reservations are not required, so feel free ti just stop by and enjoy!

Date

SAT, JAN. 13, 2018

Time

12 P.M.-2:30 P.M.

Location

Gakuen-nishimachi Community Center 1F, 2-12-22 GAKUEN NISHIMACHI, KODAIRA-shi, TOKYO

Fee

FREE FOR FOREIGNERS AND STUDENTS, ¥500 FOR MEMBERS

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Trick Art

Leandro Erlich Exhibition: Seeing and Believing

Known for his installations full of optical illusions and sound effects, this is an exhibition dedicated to the work of the now ultra popular Argentinian contemporary artist Leandro Erlich. Welcome to the surreal world of a boat floating in the absence of water or people sticking to the wall in various poses. You'll have your mind trick your senses wherever you look!

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, APR.1, 2018

Time

10 A.M.-10 P.M. (TUE UNTIL 5 P.M.)

Location

MORI ART MUSEUM, ROPPONGI HILLS MORI TOWER 53/F, 6-10-1 ROPPONGI, MINATO-ku, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,800 (ADULTS)

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Fantasy Of Lights

Yomiuri Land Jewellumination

A wonderful creation of light, music, and colors! Enjoy a romantic (and adventurous) night at this popular amusement park, now lit-up in its brightest and shiniest. Try the night-time only attractions such as “Starlight Bandit,” which cuts across the sky like a shooting star, and the “Jewelry Aurora,” a Ferris wheel with a panoramic views of the city nightscape.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, FEB. 18, 2018

Time

10 A.M.-8:30 P.M. (FROM 9 A.M. ON SUN) CLOSED JAN.16-18, 22-25, FEB. 19

Location

YOMIURI LAND, 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi-shi, Tokyo

Fee

ENTRANCE FEE ¥1,800 (ADULTS), ONE DAY PASS ¥5,400 (ADULTS)

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World of Marimekko

Exhibition: Marimekko Spirit

Indulge yourself in the unique world of Marimekko. The renowned Finnish brand is acclaimed across the world for its unique design brimming with originality and fascinating sense of color. This exhibition focuses on the three key Marimekko designers, Paavo Halonen, Maija Louekari and Aino-Maija Metsola, and presents each of their representative patterns. Also on display are original works and interview videos with the three artists and a special display of Japan-themed patterns.

Date

NOW THROUGH SAT, JAN. 13, 2018

Time

11 A.M.-7 P.M. (CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS)

Location

Ginza graphic gallery, DNP Ginza Bldg. 7-2, Ginza 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Fee

FREE

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History Of Decoration

Decoration Never Dies, Anyway

Tracing the history of “decoration,” this unique exhibition observes the works of seven artists of various genres and their interpretation of what it means to decorate. On display are a trailer adorned with Gothic decorations, carpets that mix together patterns derived from various cultural spheres, and various unique paintings.

Date

NOW THROUGH SUN, FEB. 25, 2018

Time

10 A.M.-6 P.M.

Location

TOKYO METROPOLITAN TEIEN ART MUSEUM, 5-21-9, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,100 (GENERAL)

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