There’s plenty to keep you occupied in Tokyo this week, including a Shibuya Parco Art Week, the Japan Writers Conference and Short Shorts Film Festival’s online screenings. Here’s what to look out for in Japan’s capital over the coming week.
1. Shibuya Parco Art Week 2022
Shibuya Parco Art Week will feature up-and-coming and world-renowned artists in one place with 40 events held at 24 locations around Shibuya Parco. In addition to holding the world’s first solo exhibition of VR works by British contemporary artist Julian Opie, the documentary film Make-up Artist: The Kevin Oakin Story will be released in advance and legendary Japanese photographer Shigeo Gocho will have a solo exhibition. The “Art Passport” distributed at participating stores will contain information on art events held at various locations and offer special benefits.
When: Until Oct 23 | More Info
2. Ichiyouraku: Upcycled Japanese Kimono Pop-up
Ichiyouraifuku, a brand that upcycles vintage Japanese kimonos, is having its first pop-up event in Daikanyama. All items are handmade by head designer Machiko Shime based in Yamagata. Shime hopes that with her brand she can transcend the boundaries of gender, boundaries between city and country, between Japanese and Western-style clothing and bend the rules of kimono styling.
When: Until Dec 31 | More Info
3. Harajuku Genderless and Free Fashion Week
In honor of Cinnamonroll’s 20th anniversary, both fashionistas and Cinnamonroll fans can enjoy this fashion event that will challenge beliefs about gender norms.
On the first day of the event, attendees can enjoy a fashion show called “Soran Way” that will push the boundaries of gender. The rest of the fashion event will last until the end of October and there will be special collaborations with 40 brands and stores in Harajuku. At Laforet Harajuku, you can take Instagram-worthy photos in a stunning space and get your nails done at the pop-up nail salon. On October 23, visitors can take a photo with the Cinnamonroll character who will visit Laforet Harajuku.
When: Until Oct 30 | More Info
Tomioka Eisen, “Readings and Writings”
4. Japan Writers Conference 2022
The Japan Writers Conference (JWC) is a free annual conference open to all. Since 2007, JWC has attracted English-language writers in a variety of fields for a weekend of sharing ideas and experiences on the art, craft and business of writing.
Past JWC presenters have included well-known translators, novelists, poets, journalists and so on. Journals including The Font, Cha, Tokyo Poetry Journal and Kyoto Journal have also participated, as have publishers Fine Line Press and Isobar Press.
When: Oct 15–16 | More Info
5. Music Meets Whiz Cafe with Monica Santos and Sophia Nicole
Argentinian folk performer Monica Santos and British singer-songwriter Sophia Nicole will perform at this recurring More Than Music event. Whiz Cafe in Kanda provides a relaxed environment for listening to talented artists and enjoying delicious food and drinks.
TW readers get a discount on all More Than Music events by entering the code TKYWD at checkout.
When: Oct 13 | More Info
Photo by kuremo via Shutterstock.com
6. The 18th Showa Retro Market
Fans of the Showa Period (1926-1989) can find Showa furnishings, haberdashery, vintage clothes and accessories, toys, home appliances, fancy stationery, signboards, miscellaneous goods, Showa song records and more at the 18th Showa Retro Market. The event will start and end an hour earlier on Sunday.
When: Oct 15–16 | More Info
7. Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2022: Autumn Screening
For the 24th SSFF & ASIA, film lovers can watch the best films out of the 5,720 films received in June from 126 countries and regions. Winner of the Grand Prix, George Lucas Award Warsha by Dania Bdeir, Skin & Bone starring Amanda Seyfried, Sweet Tooth starring Timothée Chalamet, and other short films that won SSFF & ASIA 2022 will be showcased.
16 award-winning shorts including Dark Yellow, Tokyo Rain, Barefoot Empress, Final Deathtination, Borekas, sparklers and AIM will be streamed globally online. Audiences of both the online and in-person venue will receive an original SSFF &ASIA NFT. This NFT gives them an invite to the special anniversary event of the SSFF & ASIA 2023 next June.
When: Until Oct 23 | More Info
Photo by Yu_photo via Shutterstock.com
8. The World Opened By Translation: Exhibition in Haruki Murakami Library at Waseda
This exhibition organized by The Waseda International House of Literature (also known as the Haruki Murakami Library) examines translation and how it helped Japanese literature spread abroad, especially the English-speaking world. The full title of the exhibition is “The World Opened by Translation: Contemporary Japanese Literature Repackaged for the Anglosphere and Beyond.”
Directed by David Karashima, associate professor at Waseda University and curated by Nana Morishita, curator at Waseda International House of Literature.
When: Until Mar 26, 2023 | More Info
