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Omotesando St.Patrick's Day Parade Tokyo
Photo by Hideya Hamano used under CC

Golden Dragon Dance (March 18): Asakusa commemorates the founding of Sensoji Temple with a golden dragon dance. As the story goes, the night the temple was founded, a golden dragon swooped down from the skies to create a forest of one thousand pine trees—a symbol of prosperity, longevity and abundance. The impressive dance of today incorporates a 60-foot dragon marionette wielded by 8 dancers.

Tokyo Cheapo Downtown Drinks (March 18): Come start your weekend right with the TC crew by having a drink or two at the super hip Commune 246.

Suggested Activity
Challenge Sumo Wrestlers and Enjoy Lunch
Eat, train, and fight like a real Japanese sumo wrestler during this sumo demonstration and authentic 'Chanko Nabe' (hotpot) meal.

Oyama Tofu Festival (March 19-20): A tofu-centered festival sounds about right for Japan, doesn’t it? Just under 1.5 hours from central Tokyo is the Oyama Tofu Festival where a speed-eating contest, a giant tofu-making machine, and various tofu shops will all be present.

Thai Music Grammy Award Festival (March 19-20): Not associated with the more famous awards show of the same name, this is an opportunity to attend a free outdoor concert spotlighting Asian pop groups—mostly Thai, but acts from Laos and Myanmar will also perform.

St.Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade (March 20): St.Paddy’s Day is underway this weekend in the Harajuku-Omotesando area. Yoyogi Park will host a themed festival where the food and drink of Ireland will be on offer. At 1pm on Sunday, the annual St.Patrick’s Day parade will take place along Omotesando Street. The streets are already donning Irish and Japanese flags in anticipation for the weekend’s celebrations.

Ueno Zoo – Free Admission Day (March 20): Every year on this date, Ueno Zoo has a free admission day to celebrate its anniversary—take advantage to see its famous pandas. Its red pandas are pretty darn cute too.

‘Live from the Kitchen Disco’ Indie Music Show (March 20): Jam out at a free show in the hottest curry house in town! Music stylings from electronica to power pop punk and more.

Happy Weekend!

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