This Week(End): Tokyo Area Events For September 2-3
Festivals, Exhibitions, And Fun In The City
The summer vacation is almost over and with school (and work) officially about to restart, traveling out of town this weekend is perhaps not on many Tokyoites' agenda. Well, that's good news, because this weekend is all about taking it slow in Tokyo. There are a number of last chances to see popular events and welcome new ones, namely the annual international jazz festival, a Soran dance matsuri, and a kids international gathering in Ebisu. Relax and enjoy!
© Photo by MIKI YoshihitoSoran! Soran! Soran!
The Yosakoi: Ooedo Soran Matsuri
The soran bushi chants will be loud and clear all around the Kiba area this weekend with 45 Yosakoi teams competing for best originality and costume design at this intense traditional Japanese dance performance. One of the largest events of its kind, this one is a must for anyone who needs some end of summer inspiration — it gets that heated!
- Date
- Sun, Sept. 3, 2017
- Time
- 9:50 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
- Location
- KIBA PARK, 4-6-1 HIRANO, KOTO-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE
Think Globally
Children's International Festa
This annual event is aimed at providing children with opportunities to learn about different cultures through various hands-on experiences; be it Thai fruit carving, Polish board games or Spanish olive oil making. On the agenda is also a kids fashion show, a speech contest, interaction with international students, visits to different embassies, and more. A great event for the foreign community in the very heart of Tokyo.
- Date
- Sat, Sept. 2, 2017
- Time
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Location
- EBISU GARDEN PLACE, 4-20, EBISU , SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- FREE
Jazzy Days
The 16th Tokyo Jazz Festival
Japan's largest jazz festival gathers a diverse lineup of domestic and international artists, including the legendary Herbie Hancock, Lee Konitz, and Sadao Watanabe. The majority of concerts will be held at Shibuya's NHK Hall complemented by free shows along the Keyakizaka streets in Yoyogi Park, as well as several more intimate tunes at the WWW and WWWx clubs and a special collaboration with Noh at the Cerulean Tower Noh Theatre.
- Date
- Fri, Sept. 1 - Sun, Sept. 3, 2017
- Time
- Various. See detailed schedule on official website
- Location
- HNK Hall, Yoyogi Park, Clubs WWW, WWW X, Cerulean Tower Noh Theatre
- Fee
- ¥3,800-¥12,800 (NHK Hall), ¥3,800 (Club), ¥4,500-¥10,500 (Noh Theater), Free (Street)
After Sunset Adventures
Night Zoo at Tobu Dobutsu Park
Take the kids out for a night zoo experience before school starts. Kids can also try feeding penguins, elephants and white tigers as part of the event, and see how animals behave differently after the sunset passes. A great way to learn something new right before school restarts!
- Date
- Until Sun, Sept. 3, 2017
- Time
- From 5 p.m.
- Location
- Tobu Dobutsu Koen (Tobu Zoo), 110 Suka, Miyashiro-machi, Minamisaitama-gun, Saitama
- Fee
- Admission only: ¥1,700 (Adults), ¥700 (Children), Animal feeding experience: From ¥500
Lager & Ales
Hibiya Oktoberfest
Get ready for some foam floating, stage dancing, and lots of sausage eating — the Hibiya Octoberfest is back! As usual, there will be a great selection of Germany's finest brews along with an exquisite selection of wursts, pretzels and other German nibbles, as well as live stages and shows. Always a fun event to attend, though expect some crowds for sure!
- Date
- Fri, Sept. 1-Sun, Sept. 10, 2017
- Time
- 4 p.m.-10 p.m (Weekdays), 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Weekends)
- Location
- Hibiya Park fountain area, 1-2 HIBIYAKOEN, CHIYODA-ku, TOKYO
- Fee
- Free admission (the rest depends on you)
Art, Food, Music Night
Multimedia Night & Dinner Buffet at The Pink Cow
Join the fabulous team at The Pink Cow for its Art Blender night, a chilled-out gathering of video artists, Vjs, Djs, body painting, animators, filmmakers, live music, artists, projection and performers. There will be great food from The Pink Cow's regular buffet and a lot of good and artsy vibes to get you inspired for the week.
- Date
- Sun, Sept. 3, 2017
- Time
- 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
- Location
- The Pink Cow, 5-5-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo Roi Building B1F
- Fee
- ¥3,000 (Includes buffet food)
Local Experiences
Jiyugaoka Kumano Shrine Festival
This local shrine in Jiyugaoka is surprisingly rarely spoken of, yet it is one of the most serene hidden spots in Tokyo. Its annual festival gathers people from all over the world carrying the mikoshi and participating in the festival, and the food stalls will keep you full throughout the weekend. A beautiful event that brings all people in the area together.
- Date
- Sat, Sept. 2- Sun, Sept. 3, 2017
- Time
- 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Location
- Kumano Shrine, 1-24-12 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- Free!
Unique Sculptures
Alberto Giacometti Collection Exhibition
Don’t miss this retrospective from the sculptural heavyweight, Alberto Giacometti, one of the first of its kind on Japanese soil. Peruse his captivating, elongated sculptures, strongly influenced by philosophical ideas such as existentialism and phenomenology. The exhibition boasts 132 selected works, from his recognizable sculptures to lesser known sketches and prints, giving a well-rounded picture of the Swiss artist’s fascinating work.
- Date
- Now through Mon, Sept. 4, 2017
- Time
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
- Location
- The National Art Center, Tokyo (Kokuritsu-Shin-Bijutsukan), 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Fee
- ¥1,600 (Adults), ¥1,200 (College students), ¥800 (High school students)
The All-White Outfit Party
Grand Hyatt's Soiree Blanche
The last weekend to enjoy this popular summer event! A great occasion to dress up (in all white) and go out in the city, enjoying great food, desserts, free flow drinks, music and photo booth ops! One of the best summer events in Tokyo, don't miss this soiree!
- Date
- Sat, SEPT. 2, 2017
- Time
- 6 P.M.-9 P.M.
- Location
- 2F GRAND HYATT TOKYO, 6-10-3 ROPPONGI, MINATO-KU, TOKYO
- Fee
- ¥12,000 (INCLUDES BUFFET & FREE-FLOW DRINKS)
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