When the Kamakura Shogunate formed in 1185, advisor Oe no Hiromoto established the governance system that served as the basis for centuries of samurai rule. Hiromoto’s son, Mori Suemitsu, was a decorated samurai warrior, and founder of the Mori clan, whose heir built an extravagant villa in Akasaka during the Edo era. The villa’s private garden is now Hinokicho Park, located adjacent to Tokyo Midtown’s expansive green space. Stop by Tokyo Midtown before Christmas to see more than 500,000 LED lights illuminate the hallowed grounds of the once powerful feudal lord.

Tokyo Midtown Christmas 2018

Head to Tokyo Midtown’s Starlight Garden before December 16 to witness the grounds shrouded in illuminated bubbles and mist.

Red Bull Crashed Ice Yokohama 2018

Competitive skaters fly down ice tracks filled with twists and turns, drops and gaps, in a heart-pounding and ruthless race to be crowned world champion.

Tokyo Romantic Flea Market

Around 100 shops, boutiques and traders specializing in high-quality antique and vintage items from around the world come together in the garden of Shibuya Garden Tower.

LESS Party 2018

Unit resident DJs Monkey Timers and okadada get the whole family dancing at this kid-friendly party festooned by graphic designer Yoshirotten.

Norsk Billedvev – Norwegian Textile Exhibition

For more than 50 years artist Keiko Yabuki has created extravagant, contemporary weavings using the same tapestry patterns and techniques as Norwegian vikings.

Christmas Market at Institut Français du Japon

Foodies and francophiles can indulge themselves at this two-day event consisting of workshops and seminars led by top chefs, pâtissiers, sommeliers and a cheese expert.

Nerd Nite

How did the homoerotic boys love genre evolve into a huge market in Japan? These nerds will tell you this, and much more.

Atomic Bass Trio Tokyo Live

The avant-garde jazz and funk trio composed of Italian double bass player Giuseppe Bassi, pianist Sumire Kuribayashi and Dutch drummer Sebastiaan Kaptein embark on their first Japan tour.

Falstaff Opera

New National Theatre Tokyo revives this subtle, sophisticated and whimsical production based on Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

Amnesty International: Happy Birthday UDHR!

Celebrate 70 years since the Universal Human Rights Declaration was adopted at a night of live music performed by a talented local artists, including an unplugged set from Kevin Gray, lead singer of Kev Gray & The Gravy Train.