This Weekend: Tokyo Area Events For Mar 18-20

Before the city turns pink with sakura blossoms, it's time to go green — because almost everything happening this weekend is out in the city and its parks. From St. Patrick's Day celebrations and girls' ramen festival, to sports in the park with the family and outdoor sakura events, this weekend is all about celebrating nature and the roots of our existence and happiness. Enjoy the long break!

Female-Friendly Noodles

Ramen Girls Festival 2017

Up until a few years ago, ramen—the high-calorie, late-night noodle bowl or quick lunch choice mostly favored by Japan’s salarymen—would not normally be associated with female customers. But times are a chagin' and now there’s even a Ramen Girls Festival. Indulge on a wide selection of the best of Japan’s noodle bowls at this event specifically targeted at female lovers of the Japanese soul food. Of course — guys are welcome, too (but try not to stand in those hungry women's way at this event)!

Date

Thursday, March 16 - Monday, March 20, 2017

Time

11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Location

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, 1-1 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture

Fee

Free entry, ¥900 per bowl of ramen

More Info

Go Green!

I ❤️ Ireland Festival & St. Patrick's Day Parade

You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy this festival, so wear something green and plunge into the wildness happening this very weekend at the fourth annual I Love Ireland Festival in Yoyogi Park. Includes performances by top Irish musicians and dancers, delicious food and drinks, as well as various sports, culture and craft activities. Also don’t miss the annual Tokyo St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Omotesando boulevard on Sunday from 1 p.m., where 1,500 participants from all over the world will march together to celebrate Ireland’s national day.

Date

Sat, March 18 – Sun, March 19, 2017

Time

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sunday)

Location

Yoyogi Park, 2-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo and Omotesando boulevard

Fee

Free

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From The Children To The Children

International School Of The Sacred Heart Family Festival

Open to the public, this annual event features food and drinks from over 15 countries, live music and dance performances, sale of used children's clothes, household items and books, indoor carnival games, outdoor playground, and much more! As always, raffle tickets will also be sold in order to win some great prizes. Proceeds from the event will support educational programs at the school, plus charities in Japan and overseas that support underprivileged children.

Date

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Time

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location

International School of the Sacred Heart, 4-3-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free admission!

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Magical Sakura

Nihobashi Sakura Festival

Nihonbashi has a mission to become the capital's coolest sakura viewing venue and, we must say, it's getting quite close. This festival features a series of sakura-themed events: from projection mapping, light-up, traditional performances, sakura-special food and drink menus, workshops and more! A must-see is the Nihonbashi Sakura Gate — a magical entry to the area, which has the entire street turned into a sakura-filled river, with a sky of countless sakura-colored strips of paper.

Date

Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, April 9, 2017

Time

Various (See website for more details)

Location

Naka-dori Street (Between COREDO Muromachi 1 and COREDO Muromachi 2) and more

Fee

Free

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Happiness Is...

Happy Day Tokyo 2017

Held for the fifth consecutive year in lieu with the UN-designated International Day of Happiness, this event aims to promote "happiness" through live stages, art, performances, food booths and various activities in the outdoors. A great excuse to take the kids out in the park for a family day — isn't this happiness in itself?

Date

Mon, March 20, 2017

Time

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location

Hibiya Park, 1-6 Hibiya koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Fee

Free

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Women & Art

Blossom Blast 2017 “What It Means to Be A Woman”

This exhibition gathers a group of young and ambitious female artists who explore the concept of this year’s show, 'What It Means To Be A Woman' today through their artworks: from paintings to sculpture and more. A special event exploring the theme of “What does female empowerment look like?,“ organized by participating artists Divya Marie Kato, will be held on Thursday, March 16 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Date

NOW THROUGH SAT, MAR 18, 2017

Time

10 A.M. – 7 P.M.

Location

ULTRASUPERNEW GALLERY 1-1-3, JINGUMAE, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO

Fee

Free

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Kids & Sport

Park Fitness Stamp Rally

A great fun event for the little ones, this rally gets them to collect stamps as they participate in a variety of sport activities in a bit to win prizes and get fit! Activities include yoga, cricket, golf, tree climbing, monocycle rides and more.

Date

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Time

From 10 a.m.

Location

Showa Memorial Park, 3173 MIDORI-CHO, TACHIKAWA-SHI, TOKYO (CLOSEST STATION: NISHI TACHIKAWA)

Fee

Park Entrance Fee: ¥410 (Adults), ¥80 (ELEMENTARY AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS)

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A Look Into An Artist's Mind

Yayoi Kusama: My Eternal Soul

World-renowned avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama's exhibition traces the history of her polka-dot themed works. Featuring old and new polka-dot artworks and 130 works from the painting series "My Eternal Soul" Kusama has been working on since 2009, this is a fascinating exhibition for any lovers of Japanese modern art.

Date

NOW THROUGH MON, MAY 22, 2017

Time

10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. (FRI UNTIL 8 P.M., CLOSED ON TUESDAYS)

Location

THE NATIONAL ART CENTER, 7-22-2 ROPPONGI, MINATO-KU, TOKYO

Fee

¥1,600 (GENERAL), ¥1,200 (UNIVERSITY), ¥800 (HIGH SCHOOL)

More Info

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