Tokyo events for Monday, January 16 to Sunday, January 22, 2023.
This Sunday, Chinatown will come alive with celebrations for the Lunar New Year — otherwise known as the Spring Festival. Expect two weeks of lion and dragon dances, parades, and lantern festivals. On the other side of town, you can get stuck into handmade trinkets and markets. Plus, don’t forget that this is the last week of the January Sumo Tournament.
Handmade in Japan Festival
Step into Japan’s largest creator’s festival “Handmade in Japan Fes”.Over 3000 creators from across Japan and abroad will have their creations on display. Products will be both tranditional and contemporary (often a blend of the two) — from tatami products to stylish phone cases.
| Advance sales: ¥1,300 | At the door: ¥1,500 | |
Chinatown Lion Dance
The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival as it is known in China, will be celebrated with several events, one of which is the Lion Dance Parade. The Lion Dance is typically performed by two dancers inside a stylised lion costume who dance the way a lion supposedly moves.
Akasaka Antique Market in Ark Hills
The Ark Hills antique market is much classier compared to some of Tokyo’s usual fairs. In addition to the amazing finds you can usually dig up at a flea market, like jewelry and home goods, you can also find stylish clothing brands — a great chance to update your wardrobe.
Earth Garden Winter Festival
Earth Garden is an outdoor market and festival at Yoyogi Park with a focus on promoting an ecological lifestyle. Spend the day in the park where there will be market stalls selling organic/earth-friendly wares, various workshops, a children’s area and live musical performances.
Dragmania Viewing Party: Rupaul’s Drag Race
Watch the latest episode of Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 15 with a bunch of like-minded, dragalicious individuals. Along with a big screen running the show with Japanese subtitles, there will be drag perforamcnes, music, themed cocktails, and a chance to enter a lip synce battle of your own!
Animage and Studio Ghibli Exhibition
Look back on the origins of Studio Ghibli and Animage with this exhibition in Ginza. This is a great option if you can’t make it to the Ghibli Theme Park or Museum as it is right in the center of Tokyo.
| Advance sales: ¥1,500 | At the door: ¥1,500 | |
January Grand Sumo Tournament
With sumo rankings released a few weeks before, this is a chance to see the traditional sport up close and personal. While the fights are broadcast on NHK, nothing beats the atmosphere of the tense final matches of the day, complete with cushion-throwing and cheers.
Furusato Festival Tokyo
If you don’t have the time or money to go to those awesome but far-flung regional matsuri (festivals), this is the event for you. The Furusato Matsuri Tokyo promises to gather all the unique entertainment, best local delicacies, and finest beverages from around Japan and hand them to you in the convenience of Tokyo Dome City.
Matsuda Wintersweet Festival
In Matsuda’s Yadoriki area, a huge field of over 1,000 wintersweet shrubs can be found. During this period countless yellow flowers will bloom, providing a unique sight, and a distinct lovely fragrance. In past years, over 20,000 people attended with a small souvenir area and cafe. Be sure to check in advance during snow as it may be canceled.
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