This Weekend: Tokyo Area Events for June 18–19
Festivals, Exhibitions & Fun in the City
The rainy season is likely to last for a few more weeks, but it looks like we'll have a glimpse of sunshine this weekend, so take the chance! Enjoy a brilliant lineup of short films, see a photo exhibition, walk amid beautiful hydrangea, have a day at the circus with the kids or start the weekend with an open-air morning yoga. Also on the agenda is a Japanese version of Macbeth with English subtitles. Enjoy!
A Fresh New Start
Morning Yoga in Shinagawa
Beat the stress by starting your weekend with an early morning open-air yoga at the very heart of the city. Shinagawa Spring Terrace is hosting another morning yoga session this Saturday, offering the class to everyone from beginners to experienced yogis. Invite your friend and enjoy the relaxation! The class will be taught be Yuika, a yoga instructor who has studied in the U.S., France and Canada, so she will help you even if your Nihongo isn't perfect. Yoga mats are available for rent (¥200), so you won't need to bring anything, but yoga wear, water and towels!
- Date
- Sat, June 18, 2016
- Time
- 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Registration starts at 8 a.m.
- Location
- Shinagawa Season Terrace, Konan 1-2-70, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥1,000
For The Love of the Film
ShortShorts Film Festival
Another weekend of this famous short film festivals for those of you who haven't had the chance to see it yet. Launched in 1999 as a small film festival in Harajuku that featured six short titles by George Lucas when he was a student, this annual event has grown to become one of the largest Academy-recognized film festivals in Asia. This year 200 contestants from around the world will be screened, along with non-competition works like Martin Scorsese's The Audition. A perfect event to get some creativity and inspiration boost! For a full program list see the link below.
- Date
- NOW THROUGH JUNE 26, 2016
- Time
- VARIOUS
- Location
- HARAJUKU, YOKOHAMA AND OTHER
- Fee
- MOST EVENTS AND SCREENINGS ARE FREE
© Photo by ZengameIn Full Bloom
Bunkyo Hydrangea Festival
June is the season of hydrangea in Japan and although you can see those pretty flowers at various locations throughout the city, the Bunkyo Festival is one of the largest and best known events celebrating the blooms in Tokyo. Starting from Hakusan Shrine all the way to Hakusan Park, visitors can enjoy over 3,000 hydrangea plants blooming along a beautiful walk path. This weekend there will also be a parade, two Jazz concerts (2:30 p.m, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.) and even an Indian dance performance (!) from 3 p.m.
- Date
- Now through Sun, June 19, 2016
- Time
- 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Location
- Hakusan Shrine, 5-31-26 Hakusan, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free
© Photo by Seiji SibuyaA Tragic New Take
Macbeth
A new take on one of Shakespeare's best tragedies, this stage, adapted and directed by Setagaya Public Theatre’s Artistic Director Mansai Nomura, is a simplified version of the traditional story that draws on the quintessentially “Japanese” beauty employed in Noh and Kyogen. Marking the quadricentennial of Shakespeare’s death this year, Macbeth — starring famous Japanese actress Sawa Suzuki in the role of Lady Macbeth — is setting off on a Japan tour, including stages in Hokkaido, Tokai, Kinki and Kyushu. The show is in Japanese with English subtitles.
- Date
- Wed, June 15 - Wed, June 22, 2016
- Time
- Various. For detailed scheduled see website.
- Location
- Setagaya Public Theatre, 4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- General Tickets: S￥7,000 A￥5,000. For ticket reservations: Call Setagaya Public Theatre Ticket Centre at 03-5432-1515 or book online (Japanese only).
See, Feel, Share
Days Japan Photo Exhibition
Internationally-acclaimed magazine Days Japan is launching a free photo exhibition displaying powerful photos of some of the world’s most striking ongoing issues. This is a must-visit exhibition for anyone interested in international affairs, human rights and photojournalism covering topics we are all somehow influenced by. Witness refugee struggles, citizens’ lives in conflict-stricken Afghanistan, the horror of Nepal’s earthquake in 2015, the human cost of Agrochemicals and more.
- Date
- Now through Sun, June 19, 2016
- Time
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Location
- Carrot Tower, 4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free
A Classic Entertainment
POP Circus
The stage is hot with this Osaka-born Japanese circus, the name of which stands for “Pursuit of Pleasure.” A classic, at-home-style entertainment that will certainly bring some of us back to our early childhood days where everything was much simpler. The stage will host acrobatic performances, clowns, juggling, aerial ballet, dog show, flying trapeze and other acts.
- Date
- Sat, June 18 & Sun, June 19, 2016 through June 26.
- Time
- 10:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m., 1:10 p.m.-3 p.m., 7 p.m.-8:50 p.m. (June 18) & 3:50 p.m.-5:40 p.m. (June 19) For shows on other dates see website (Japanese only).
- Location
- Ario Ichihara Big Top, 4-3-2 Sarashina, Ichihara, Chiba
- Fee
- Non-reserved seats: ¥2,800 (adults), ¥1,500 (children); Reserved seats: additional ¥800 to ¥5,000.
In Memoriam
David Bowie Tribute Illumination
The Odaiba lights are shining bright in memory of the late legend, as the whole area turns into a David Bowie tribute until the end of the weekend. A special photo exhibition following the milestones of his life and musical career, a pop up store selling goods, posters, mugs and more, as well as a special illumination synchronized with Bowie's tunes. If you loved Bowie, or if you're looking for an escape from central Tokyo to the nearest beach with beautiful night lights, this is your event.
- Date
- Now through Sun, June 19, 2016
- Time
- Illumination: 7 p.m.-12 a.m.
- Location
- Decks Odaiba, Seaside Mall 3F and surroundings, 1-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free
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