Never miss a freebie! Sign up for our weekly events newsletter.

Tokyo events for Monday, April 8 to Sunday, April 14, 2019

Lots of creative music and arts events dominate the week, along with comedy performances, talks and spring festivals.

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.
Photo by Grigoris Miliaresis

Pocko Park: NowHere

An art exhibition where the works of Japanese illustrator Nomoco and German photographer Martin Holtkamp both playfully contrast and complement the other.

Takao Wakaba Festival

A seven-week spring event on Mt. Takao featuring a series of performances, concerts and traditional ceremonies—plus food! Note: Events take place on weekends, there’s not too much happening on weekdays.

Sevdaliza’s The Great Hope Design

Iranian producer and singer performs in Tokyo as part of the Red Bull Music Festival. Svendaliza blends genres and intregrates visual and creative elements into her performances.

Magner’s International Comedy Festival Presents: Stephen K. Amos

British stand-up and television personality known throughout the international comedy circuit is making his way to Tokyo. Catch his set at Shimokitazawa’s Good Heavens bar.

Nerd Nite 32: Loose Screws

Nerd Nite is “the Discovery Channel with beer”, a worldwide monthly event series that mixes presentations, performances, trivia, demos, music, and of course drinking. The month’s talking points range from neurons, using AI in academia, and Akihabara.

National Museum of Western Art – Free Admission Day

Check out the extensive permanent collection at the Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park for free. Works include paintings from the late Medieval period through to the 20th century and modern French sculpture.

Tokens of Game Zen

An intriguing dive into the world of Japan’s game centers by the very talented Tokyo photographer, Victor Gonzalez.

Asakusa Kannon-ura Ichiyo Sakura Festival

Don’t miss the Oiran Dochu, a procession of traditional Japanese courtesans or “women of pleasure”. See brilliantly colored kimonos, whimsical makeup and traditional performances by the experts of “old-world charm”.

Methods and Modulations – A Warehouse Party

Another Red Bull Music Festival feature this week is a classic warehouse party. Performers include Marie Davidson from Canada, an experimental techno act from Russia, an electronic music artist from Korea and Marie Sakurai from the dark depths of Tokyo’s techno scene.

Suggested Activity
Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl
Sample local cuisine at the best hole-in-the-wall eateries, experience quirky bars in the Golden Gai area and take a stroll (that's all) through the infamous red-light district

Yoyogi Park Wanwan Carnival

The Wan Wan (onomatopoeia for the sound a dog makes in Japanese) Carnival is a the ultimate fido festival. All the dog-related merch and activities will get your tail wagging—from clothes and grooming, to professional dog photos, dancing dogs, and various (obedience, agility and speed-eating) contests.

Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival

Nezu Shrine’s 300-year-old garden blooms again—with 3000(!) colorful azalea bushes. In addition, there is a plant fair, an antique fair, and many festive stalls.

Kamakura Matsuri

The annual Kamakura Matsuri festival features a variety of parades and performances and, notably, an impressive display of yabusame (horseback archery).

There are still some cherry blossom festivals continuing into this week.

Ask our local experts about Tokyo

Get our Tokyo Cheapo Hacks direct to your inbox

Watch this next