This Weekend: Tokyo Area Events for June 4–5

Films, Festivals and Fun in the City

By The Savvy Team |
June 2, 2016 |
Lifestyle, What's Happening

June starts with several international festivals and events, including the annual ShortShorts Film Festival, bringing the global creative community together in Tokyo. On the agenda this weekend are Earth Day celebrations, a mini exhibition on African textiles, the last chance to see fireflies in Yokohama and much more. Also (for you oenophiles), this Saturday and Sunday a crowd will gather for the annual Tokyo Wine Fest at Tokyo Midtown. Cheers!

Earth Day in Showa Memorial Park

The next in the series of Earth Day events in Tokyo meets at Showa Memorial Park this weekend for a lively open-air event celebrating being eco-cautious and grateful for our resources. The event features various performances, food, drink and craft stalls, charity booths and other entertaining events. A perfect place to take the kids out over the weekend.

Date: Sat, June 4 through Sun, June 5, 2016
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: 3173 Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo (closest station: Nishi Tachikawa)
Fee: ¥410 (adults), ¥80 (elementary and junior high school students)

Tokyo Summer Wine Fes 2016

Tokyo Midtown will be hosting its annual summer wine gathering this weekend, so invite your friends and plunge into the spirit of the world’s best selection of wine, champagne and even brandy. Taste over 80 kinds of wine from all over the world at the venue's summer bar.

Date: Fri, June 3 through Sun, June 12
Time: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Location: Tokyo Midtown Galleria Atrium B1F, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free!

Kenya & Tanzania Art and Textiles Exhibition

There is much a piece of cloth can say about its culture. This event brings together kanga from Kenya and Tanzania, kikoi from southern Africa and other textiles in a bid to not only display their sophistication and beauty, but also explore how these fabrics express the social, religious and emotional state of mind of the people who wear them. Various books related to African countries' culture will also be on sale.

Date: Now through Sun, June 12, 2016
Time: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m
Location: Yaesu Book Center 1F Event Space, 2-5-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Fee: Free!

ISSJ Charity Movie Festival & Bazaar

International Social Service Japan is an organization based in Tokyo which provides assistance in various international family-related issues, including adoption, divorce, acquisition of nationality for stateless children and visitation or contact with a child in Japan. As part of their fundraising activities, ISSJ hosts an annual charity movie festival and bazaar, the proceeds of which will be used to support its activities. This year on screen is “La Famille Belier,” a moving French film about a young daughter of deaf parents who learns that her passion in life is singing.

Date: Sat, June 4, 2016
Time: Screening: 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. Bazaar: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Hitotsubashi Hall (Nihon Kyoiku Kaikan 3F), 2-6-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Fee: ¥1,200

Kamakura Rose Festival

Before the roses wither, please schedule a visit to this fascinating rose festival, which also happens to be one of the largest of its kind in the Kanto region. You can enjoy around 200 kinds of 250 stocks of various roses in the background of vast green and the historical Kamakura Museum of Literature, which exhibits some of Japan's most renowned novelists’ (including Yasunari Kawabata) handwritten manuscripts, letters, personal items, and many more.

Date: Now through Sun, June 5, 2016
Time: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Kamakura Museum of Literature, 1-5-3 Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
Fee: ¥400. Free for people living or studying in Kamakura.

Shibuya Renaissance Music Festival

Held since 2013, this is a free music festival and parade taking place along Shibuya's Bunkamura Street. Celebrating music and entertainment in all forms, this year's event features a rare collaboration between Japanese taiko drums and tap dance, in addition to mixed modern J-Pop, a choir and a dance parade.

Date: Sun, June 6, 2016
Time: 1 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Location: Bunkamura Street, Shibuya
Fee: Free!

ShortShorts Film Festival

Launched in 1999 as a small film festival in Harajuku that featured 6 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!

Date: Now through June 26, 2016
Time: Various times and locations
Location: Harajuku, Yokohama and other
Fee: Most events and screenings are free

Firefly Viewing in Yokohama

This weekend is your last chance to see those little bugs lighting the night sky aglow in Yokohama's Sankeien Gardens. The best viewing time is between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The gardens' Azalea Bonsai Exhibition is also on display through Sunday.