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All Cat Love (Feb 22-26): Love all things cats? Then this festival is for you. The event has all sorts of feline-related attractions including a market of cat-themed goods, a photo exhibition, workshops, and a photo contest. It also supports efforts to care for the local cats of Tokyo.
Kitsune Fridays x House Not House (Feb 24): Free party in Shibuya with some of Tokyo’s best DJs playing all the UK tech and dance music you love without the hefty club price tag.
Some no Komichi Fabric Dyeing Festival (Feb 24-26): If you’re of the opinion that indoor art galleries are a little over done, then we suggest checking out the Some no Komichi festival. In tribute to the dye producers that were common in the area until the 1950s, long brilliantly colored kimono fabrics will be hung by wires above Myoshoji River. Makes for a great display to appreciate art, tradition and city all at once.
Doll Floating Ceremony (Feb 26): Another river festival, this one taking place along the Sumida River, will honor of the good health of girls by sending dolls down the river by boat, which in turn carries away any bad luck.
Tokyo Marathon (Feb 26): Join the crowds as they watch tens of thousands of runners compete in the ever-popular Tokyo Marathon. If you decide to watch the start of the race by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, optimize your day by heading to the building’s observatory deck on 48th floor for a free view of the city. Or if you’re waiting at the finish line near Tokyo Station, pop by the Imperial Palace’s East Gardens for a stroll (no admission fee!).
Japanese Antique Market (Feb 26): This monthly antique market at Yoyogi Park is back which aims to educate people on Japanese culture and art, while creating an opportunity for locals to sell their antique goods. A great spot to practice your Japanese and/or pick up some souvenirs!
Museum of Western Art – Free Admission Day (Feb 25): This Saturday, check out the extensive collection at the Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park—an activity that which would normally cost you 430 yen. Works includes paintings from the late medieval period through to the 20th century and modern French sculpture. Artists include Ruebens, Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Pollock and many more.
Super Ukiyo-e: The Edo Code (until late May): Enjoy some 20,000 ukiyo-e prints by master artists in high-res digital form. These images are the best of the best: coming from the Spaulding Collection in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and other top-class galleries. Special video technology blows up and animates some of the most famous works for a 3D effect. Immerse yourself in the world of ukiyo-e as it shows you Edo-era fashion, kabuki, and the old city’s dark streets, where ghosts and monsters tend to appear.
