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Tokyo events for Monday, February 11 to Sunday, February 17, 2019
Chinese New Year celebrations in Yokohama’s Chinatown continue with parades, lion dances and more. Other events this week give you the chance to pick up new books, tasty chocolate, or spot a liar (oo, intriguing).
Valentine’s Charity Chocolate Sale
Treat yourself or a loved one to some chocolate all while supporting the Free the Children Japan. Proceeds from the chocolate sale help fund the construction of a school roof in Mindanao, Philippines.
Tokyo English Book Exchange #7
Meet up with fellow bibliophiles for Tokyo Cheapo’s 7th English Book Exchange. Come with at least one book to swap, then grab a drink and mingle. Who knows what printed treasure you might find!
Kite Market
You might be thinking it’s odd for a market to be devoted entirely to kites, but they were considered very lucky during the Edo period. They were said to ‘cut the wind’ that fueled fires, which were extremely commonplace and devastating in those days. The market returns annually so locals and visitors alike can ensure their luck for another year.
Perfect Liars Club
A smash-hit comedy story interrogation show hailing all the way from Washington, DC. Four people tell an incredible story—but only three of them are true. Listen, laugh, suspect, interrogate—then vote. Are you shrewd enough to spot the liar?
Chinatown Celebration Parade
A florid Chinese New Year parade through Yokohama’s Chinatown. The parade will feature traditional costumes, lion dances, dragon dances and other performances.
Chinese Traditional Performances
In addition to the parade, Yokohama will host various Chinese traditional performances on the 11th and 17th of February as part of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Traditional dragon and lion dances, along with songs, harps and acrobatics should be expected.
Shot in the Dark – The Photography of David Arnoff
David Arnoff’s photography exhibition sheds intimate new light on the music of the underground from the earliest days of punk to the present day.
Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival
This festival takes place at Hanegi Park, which has around 650 plum blossom trees (although they might just be in the budding stage now). On weekends the park hosts vendors selling plum-themed food.
Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival
Another plum blossom festival with extras like shamisen-playing, traditional dance, tea, other Japanese cultural events, and, best of all, nighttime illuminations.
Last chance events
Most winter illumination festivals end on Feb 17th. If you haven’t been to see all the twinklies, this is your last chance for the season.
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