24 Things To Do in Tokyo This Week: November 27 – December 3

Community and Live Events

1.
Tokyo Art Tank Vol. 10: Film Festival

As part of this year’s Tokyo Art Tank, there is a free film festival, with free popcorn also included. In celebration of the silver screen, prepare for an evening of storytelling and art from Tokyo, about Tokyo, and made by Tokyo filmmakers. Each participant is not only introducing their films, but also participating in a Q&A session about the making of their movies.

The filmmakers are Joel Smith, Lorenzo Squarcia, Ramondo, Rafael Suzuki, Chester Law, Diego Rojas and Hide Hiza.

2.
Tokyo Art Tank Vol. 10: Yoga and Art Class

As part of this year’s Tokyo Art Tank, a free yoga class is being held in Shibuya’s Conceal Gallery.

Led by long-time yoga experts Shuko Ikei and Kazue, enlighten your mind, body and soul from within the walls of the art tank.

3.
25th Anniversary Celebrations at Good Heavens, Shimokitazawa

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Good Heavens, Tokyo’s favorite British pub, is welcoming jazz singer and pianist Grace Mahya for a one-off performance.

After studying music in Freiburg, Germany, Mahya released her debut album, The Look of Love, in 2006, and seven subsequent records since then. She is performing two unique sets at Good Heavens, including all-time favorite jazz standards, as well as some of her own music.

4.
Dolce Vita Night at Cé La Vi Tokyo

This November, Cé La Vi Tokyo hosts Dolce Vita Night, presented by Disaronno.

With cocktails made by guest bartender Keisuke Yamamoto, food provided by Disaronno, and performances from the likes of DJ YonYon, it’s going to be a great party.

5.
Musik Kugel Koto & Piano Concert: Connecting Eternity and Now

Musik Kugel is a musical duo consisting of Ruli (25-stringed koto, 13-stringed koto) and Shin-ichiro Kanda (piano, composition). In addition to original compositions, they’ll be performing Japanese classical music, Western music, contemporary music and improvisation.

Art Exhibitions

6.
Tokyo Art Tank Vol. 10

In its 10th instalment, this year Tokyo Art Tank is welcoming 27 incredible artists for an unforgettable week, including special guest John Gebbia, Art Tank founder The Spilt Ink, TW collaborator Simon Kalajdjiev and more.

Whatever your style preference — from abstract to realist, graffiti to popsick — prepare to be inspired and uplifted by this year’s incredible array of work.

7.
Accidentally Wes Anderson Returns to Tokyo

Following the huge success of the “Accidentally Wes Anderson” exhibition in spring, it is returning to Tokyo to share over 300 photos from all over the world, as well as a brand-new section dedicated to a recent Antarctic adventure.

The exhibition features landscape photographs that embody the aesthetic world and spirit of film director Wes Anderson, led by the eponymous Instagram community, that now has over 1.88 million followers.

8.
Yayoi Kusama Museum: Visionary Colors Exhibition

“Visionary Colors” is the latest exhibition at the Yayoi Kusama Museum. It includes a host of new artworks.

As you enter, on the first floor, the exhibition introduces Kusama’s distinctive color expressions with her three-dimensional works and large-scale paintings from the 1980s and 90s. In the quadriptych “Soul Burning Flashes (A.B.Q),” guests can absorb the striking motifs that emerged from her childhood hallucinations.

On the second floor, visitors gain an overview of Kusama’s color expressions from the early stages of her career. In the 1949 painting “Lingering Dream,” viewers can observe dark yet surreal colors.

9.
Kaneko Tomiyuki Solo Exhibition Apotropaic Deities at the Mizuma Art Gallery

The latest exhibition at the Mizuma Art Gallery features Yamagata-based artist Tomiyuki Kaneko. Focusing on deities, spirits and yokai, Kaneko works to materialize spiritual beings that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

10.
Precious Waste Exhibition at Jinny Street Gallery

“Precious Waste” is an exhibition that proposes jewelry pieces, photography and recycled media to guide passengers through the process of transforming “trashed” objects into artistic creations, through a journey of 28 streetlights.

11.
A Harmonious Cycle of Interconnected Nows: Exhibition by Olafur Eliasson

Azabudai Hills Gallery opened its doors this November with the inaugural exhibition featuring Olafur Eliasson. The Icelandic-Danish artist is known for his social engagement with the climate crisis and invites viewers to challenge their perception of the world around them. Eliasson explores line and movement, as well as light and color, founded on ideas of geometry, physics and the workings of the natural world.

12.
Song and Ledania Exhibition at UltraSuperNew

Song and Ledania present their second duo exhibition in Tokyo, “Into the Fumes of Gold (2023).” It’s an installation experience that delves into the magic of the equator line. This is a reflection of the artists’ travels around the globe as they explored their own ancestral spiritual roots. They now invite others into this realized mythical world through their creations.

13.
Akari Uragami Solo Exhibition: Local Rituals

Akari Uragami is known for her paintings and soft sculptures which focus on the human body. Exhibiting across the world including Europe and most recently, Mexico, “Local Rituals” is her first domestic exhibition in over a year.

The title refers to the small ceremonies that humans perform in and around us. “There are many things in our lives that have ritualistic connotations and take on a deeper meaning,” she says. “Whether we are conscious of it or not, throughout our day-to-day, ritualistic moments occur naturally.”

14.
Aryo Toh Djojo Solo Exhibit at Perrotin Tokyo

Perrotin Tokyo is pleased to present “Over My Head,” the first solo exhibition in Asia by Los Angeles-based artist Aryo Toh Djojo. This is the first time for the artist to incorporate elements such as film and found photography in his work, further exploring the notion of how we perceive truth.

The show debuts a new body of paintings alluding to the artist’s continued interest in UFO sightings and the socio-political discourses that have arisen throughout history as a result.

15.
Panasonic Museum of Art 20th Century Exhibition

The first of its kind in Japan, this exhibition provides a comprehensive history of costume jewelry, as pioneered by Paul Poiret in the early 20th century and popularized by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. With over 400 pieces from Japan’s best collections, researcher and collector Chisako Kotaki showcases pieces from Christian Dior and Maison Schiaparelli, as well as other European and American designers.

16.
Ukiyo-e Shunga Exhibition in Ginza

More than 50 pieces of ukiyo-e shunga by Katsushika Hokusai and others from 200 years ago are being exhibited. The exhibition is supervised by Mitsuru Uragami of Uragami Sokyu-do, the sponsor of the 2013 Shunga Exhibition at the British Museum in London and a key player in the 2015 Shunga Exhibition at Eisei Bunko Museum in Tokyo.

Seasonal Events

18.
Ginza Six Rooftop Skating Rink

The Ginza Six rooftop garden, which boasts the largest area in Ginza, becomes a skating rink this winter. It uses resin instead of ice, which is eco-friendly as it does not not use electricity and guests’ clothes don’t get wet. Christmas decorations are hung on the trees around the rink, and customers can enjoy glittering illuminations at night. In addition, a star tower is installed in the center of the skating rink.

19.
Tobu Zoo Winter Illuminations 2023

Tobu Zoo hopes to bring smiles with its 2023 winter illumination event, in collaboration with Momoiro Clover Z. At night, rides and other attractions such as the Ferris wheel and rollercoaster light up. A light show using music, smoke and CG animation is one of its many popular events, but also be sure to take a stroll around to spot the LED animals.

20.
Tokyo Mega Illuminations at Oi Racecourse

Both children and adults alike will be mesmerized by the upgraded rainbow water fountain light show. When visiting, allow yourself extra time — a circuit of the facilities takes about an hour and features many different illumination areas.

Visitors can go on pony rides on weekends and holidays.

21.
Sagamiko Illumillion 2023-2024

The famous Sagamiko illuminations return for the 15th time this year. To celebrate the anniversary, in addition to its regular display which uses 6 million LED lights, Sagamiko Illumillion features a Doraemon-themed area for fans of the franchise. 

Afternoon Tea and Seasonal Menus

22.
Festive Afternoon Tea at The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon

In celebration of this year’s festive season, The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon offers a splendid afternoon tea at the Lobby Bar. From raspberry mousse with a Santa Claus beard, to a wreath-shaped pistachio cake and some winter stollen, sample your seasonal favorites with a Christmas twist.

23.
Vegan Afternoon Tea at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel

This winter, a vegan afternoon tea is available at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel. Inspired by seasonal flavors, the hotel chefs have curated a spread of both savory and sweet treats, including homemade chocolate bars and a heart-warming borscht made with beetroot and vegan chicken.

24.
Festive Afternoon Tea at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills

Welcome in some festive cheer this year at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills’ The Tavern Grill & Lounge. Adorned with seasonal Christmas motifs, enjoy unique and modern sweets, including a fruit rouge mousse. There’s also a seasonal Christmas éclair that blends French pastry and a traditional British Christmas pudding. For those with a savory palette, luxuriate in black truffle and goat’s cheese choux or Fuji smoked salmon and caviar.

More Things To Do in Tokyo

See what other activities Tokyo has to offer:

• Tokyo Robots and Where to Find Them
• The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo — The Making of Harry Potter Finally Opens
• Visiting Real Life Locations From Haruki Murakami Novels in Tokyo
• 13 Unique Vending Machines in Tokyo
• 7 Places for Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony in Tokyo
• Shoutenguide: Tokyo’s Best Shopping Streets
• 35 Must-visit Museums and Galleries in Tokyo