As lively as ever, Japan’s capital this week hosts a series of unique live events and art exhibitions. Preview the latest on-screen releases at the Tokyo International Film Festival, or get into the spooky spirit with this year’s array of Halloween festivities.

Community and Live Events

1.
Ragtag Socials Party: Shibuya Heaven and Hell at Or Miyashita

To celebrate Shibuya Halloween culture, Ragtag Socials is having a Halloween bash that should not be missed.

Lineup:

• Grey (Grammy nominated)
• Crux My Heart
• AWAY
• Louis Shannon (Shannon Brothers) 
• 3Li¥EN
• ROBBIE

2.
Emo Night Tokyo 2023

Brought to you by a community of music enthusiasts, Emo Night Tokyo is dedicated to lovers of emo, alternative, rock and metal music, providing a space for those seeking nostalgia and connection to come together.

With a soundtrack to soothe your teenage soul, Emo Night Tokyo is an opportunity to discover both local Japanese and international bands, as well as meet like-minded people as you dance the blues away.

3.
Tokyo Humanities Cafe Vol.14

After a three-year pandemic-induced hiatus, the Tokyo Humanities Cafe is back this year. The event usually has four speakers who discuss their humanities careers in a lively and accessible way in English, bringing academic topics closer to a general audience. This is done in a bar atmosphere with food and drinks are available while you listen.

The four speakers at the next event are:

• Jenevieve Van-Veda (Aberystwyth University, Wales)
“Visualizing the Night Parade of 100 Demons”

• Waiyee Loh (Kanagawa University, Yokohama)
“Singapore and Japan in Comics: Charlie Chan and Rurouni Kenshin”

• Philip Pholeros Porter (University of Technology, Sydney)
“Café Poetry Project – Australia”

• Erica Ward and Kō (artist and perfumer)
“Collaborating to Interpret Tokyo into Art and Fragrance”

Art Exhibitions

4.
Black Jack 50th Anniversary Exhibit

Come celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Osamu Tezuka’s famous medical manga series by visiting the Black Jack Exhibit at Tokyo City View this fall. The story of the genius unlicensed doctor changed the face of manga and anime forever. It remains one of the most respected manga today.

5.
Design Art Tokyo 2023

For the seventh year running, DesignArt Tokyo returns to Japan this October. With over 100 exhibitions, this will be the largest that the festival has been to date, with a number of new creators, young designers and artists participating.

From Roppongi to Omotesando, venues across the city will showcase the latest works from creatives in Japan and abroad.

6.
Haruki Kiyama Pop-up Exhibition

Following two solo exhibitions, Tokyo-based artist and actor Haruki Kiyama is holding his first ever pop-up exhibition in the Seibu Shibuya store. The pop-up features the most popular works from Kiyama’s recent “505 I found” exhibition earlier this year, as well as T-shirts and other original goods available for purchase.

7.
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.

8.
Jean-Philippe Delhomme Solo Exhibit at Perrotin Tokyo

For his first solo exhibition at Perrotin Tokyo, Jean-Philippe Delhomme is presenting a series of new portraits produced in his Paris studio during traditional model posing sessions. He is exhibiting portraits created through direct observation, unmediated by photography.

9.
Pleasure in the Pathless Woods: Exhibition by Joseph Lee at Diesel Art Gallery

People have probably come across the artist and actor Joseph Lee recently in the popular Netflix show Beef. The talented Lee plays an artist in the show, but he’s also a successful painter in real life. He mainly paints portraits that implicitly hide the faces of his subjects with colorful and abstract strokes. Lee explores and expresses the emotions of the human figure through brushwork, color choices and volume.

“Pleasure in the Pathless Wood” is his debut exhibition in Japan, taking place at Diesel Art Gallery from September 23 to November 16.

10.
Immersive Museum: Post-Impressionism at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall

Explore the art world through iconic post-impressionist artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat and Paul Cézanne at the Immersive Museum Tokyo 2023 “Post-Impressionism” exhibition held at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall. Experience art like never before thanks to cutting-edge project-mapping technology.

It’s recommended to book your tickets in advance.

11.
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.

12.
Mirai Shikiyama Exhibition at UltraSuperNew Gallery

Art and computer graphics combine throughout the work of emerging Japanese artist Mirai Shikiyama. A study, or series of studies on dichotomies, Shikiyama composes work based around reality and fantasy, the tangible and intangible around us, freedom and constraint and history and modernity. His debut solo exhibition is named “Raw and Theory.” Raw alludes to physicality and theory is related to computers being founded on logical theory. This exhibition aims to break the artistic boundary between reality and fantasy. The name also pays homage to the legendary experimental Los Angeles club, Low End Theory.

Festivals

15.
Tokyo International Film Festival 36th Edition

The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is showing an unprecedented variety of special programs and screenings for its upcoming 36th edition.

It’s also highlighting a revitalized animation section. Until 2022, TIFF exclusively screened Japanese films in the Japanese Animation section, showcasing domestic works for world audiences. The renamed Animation section will feature not only Japanese, but also internationally acclaimed animated works.

Afternoon Tea and Limited Edition Menus

16.
Kubota Afternoon Tea

Indulge in a Japanese-style afternoon tea featuring fall flavors and Niigata Prefecture’s renowned Kubota sake at Ryotei Kinsui in Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. This is a traditional restaurant housed in a simple, yet refined sukiya-style building. The hotel’s acclaimed Kubota Afternoon Tea offers the perfect fusion of seasonal tastes and Japanese sake.

17.
Halloween at the Royal Park Hotel

Delight in Halloween-themed treats and autumn delicacies served as part of several menus. At lobby lounge Fontaine, enjoy a bat-topped red fruit compote and a spooky crémet d’Anjou among other items. More seasonal fun can be found at the Halloween Cocktail Fair hosted by the hotel’s main bar, the Royal Scots.

18.
Autumnal Afternoon Tea at the Artizon Museum

To get you into the spirit of fall, the café at the Artizon Museum is offering autumnal courses during lunch and dinner hours from October onwards, as well as a specially curated afternoon tea, featuring dishes made from seasonal ingredients.

These autumnal treats are the perfect culinary accompaniment to the museum’s current exhibitions, “From the Scene of Creation–Artists’ Archives in Films and Photographs,” and “Jam Session: The Ishibashi Foundation Collection x Yamaguchi Akira Drawn to the Irresistible Sensation.”

19.
Halloween-themed Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula

For a single day, The Peninsula is  transforming its beloved afternoon tea with a spooky twist. Enjoy a bewitching array of savory and sweet delights paired with the finest teas. It’s an experience for all ages to savor.

20.
Halloween Afternoon Tea at Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Getting into the spooky spirit, Grand Hyatt Tokyo has introduced its fall menu, including a special Halloween-themed afternoon tea at The French Kitchen.

With a focus on Japanese autumnal flavors, the hotel’s pâtissiers have crafted an array of spooky treats, including pumpkin mousse and coffee and white chocolate mousse. The savory courses include mummified pies as well as coffin-shaped sandwiches. This afternoon tea buffet is sure to send a seasonal shiver down your spine.

 

21.
Halloween Treats and Happy Hour Highballs at the Tavern Grill & Lounge

22.
Bills Autumn and Winter 2023 Menu

From the end of October, Bills (stylised as bills) will be introducing a new seasonal menu. A range of savoury delights will be on offer, including tuna tartare, avocado and corn chips, as well as a sumptuous cardamom canelé for dessert.

There will also be a vegetarian brunch plate available for any plant-based folk, including ginger and poached egg, szechuan pepper, shredded daikon and mushroom fried rice. Top it all off with a Bills original honey and saffron soda.

More Things To Do in Tokyo

See what other activities Tokyo has to offer:

• The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo — The Making of Harry Potter Finally Opens
• 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