As lively as ever, Japan’s capital this week hosts an array of live events, pop-up shops, exhibitions and more. Check out the best things to do in Tokyo this week, from April 22 to April 26.
Live Shows and Community Events
Craft Sake Week
Craft Sake Week brings together a group of sake breweries carefully selected by experts led by Hidetoshi Nakata, who has visited more than 400 breweries across the country, and some of Japan’s most famous restaurants, which boast the highest number of Michelin stars in the world. This is an event where you can truly experience Japan’s world-class culinary culture. At the venue, you can casually enjoy original menus by top chefs from popular restaurants that are hard to get reservations for, as well as sake that is usually hard to come by. In addition, popular DJs will enliven the venue in a fantastic space created by a leading Japanese architect.| Date & Time | UNTIL Apr 29, 2024・12:00-21:00・Last Order 20:30 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Roppongi Hills Arena |
Asobiza Club Night
Daoko, the Japanese singer and rapper, has hand-selected a range of artists, from producer Taku Inoue to Kyun Desu residents, to play alongside her at Zero Tokyo. She will be performing live on the venue's main stage, while each room will see a wealth of diverse DJs and live acts.| Date & Time | Apr 26, 2024・23:00- |
| Price | ¥3,000 |
| Location | Zero Tokyo |
More Tokyo Music Live: RnB & Pop Night
In the heart of Shimokitazawa, the hub of Tokyo's live music, More Than Music are hosting a regular "More Tokyo Music" event. Immerse yourself in a vibrant world of music every Wednesday from 7pm to 11pm. With carefully curated live performances, each week offers a unique sonic journey that spans genres and captivates all tastes. This week's lineup includes Eden Kai — ukulele and guitar virtuoso, a Pop/R&B vocalist, and an accomplished actor, as well as FiJA — contemporary R&B and soul singer-songwriter.| Date & Time | Apr 24, 2024・19:00-23:00 |
| Price | Admission ¥3,500 | Free for MTM Members (sign up for MTM membership) |
| Location | Shimokitazawa Breath |
Exhibitions
Sense of Structure: From Horyuji Temple To The Universe Exhibition
Architects design buildings, but structural engineers make a building possible. "Sense of Structure" is a celebration of materials, knowledge, and creation — looking at how we're able to exist alongside nature, minimise natural disasters, and create masterpieces of architecture using structural design.| Date & Time | Apr 26, 2024-Aug 25, 2024・11:00-18:00 |
| Price | ¥1,500 |
| Location | What Museum |
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Anime Exhibition
Based on the popular anime Frieren, a special exhibition entitled Anime Sousou no Frieren – The Story Begins After the Adventure Ends” is scheduled to take place at Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City starting in late April. Famous scenes from the show will be recreated, alongside special video productions and photo opportunities with popular characters.| Date & Time | Apr 25, 2024-May 12, 2024・10:00-22:00 |
| Price | Advance tickets from ¥1,800 |
| Location | Sunshine City Exhibition Hall C |
| More Info | Discounts available for elementary school students |
Dino Safari 2024
On Art Tokyo is excited to announce "Dino Safari 2024," an immersive live entertainment experience where lifelike dinosaurs will roam freely across a vast landscape. Built upon extensive research, these mechanical marvels faithfully recreate the ecological dynamics of their ancient counterparts, offering spectators remarkable up-close encounters. There will also be navigators (safari guides) and rangers on hand to ensure both the safety and enjoyment of visitors throughout the experience.| Date & Time | Apr 26, 2024-May 6, 2024・10:00-17:00・Performance running time 50 minutes |
| Price | Tickets available from ¥3,700 on weekdays |
| More Info | See website for ticket details |
© Özgür Kar ©Aneta Grzeszykowska Photo by Ryohei tomita
Yokohama Triennale
Yokohama Triennale enters its 8th edition with the theme “Wild Grass: Our Lives.” Artists from Japan and further afield have joined forces to conclude a wide ranging exhibition across five different areas in Yokohama, including BankArt Kaiko and Yokohama Museum of Art.| Date & Time | UNTIL Jun 9, 2024・11:00-・Times vary, see website for details |
| Price | ¥2,300 |
| Location | Bank Art Kaiko, Various |
Shin Sekai Exhibition by SOMA Collective
| Date & Time | Apr 24, 2024-May 4, 2024・11:00- |
| Price | Free |
| Location | UltraSuperNew Gallery |
Alice in Wonderland 160th Anniversary Exhibition
Over 160 years ago, in 1862, a man named Charles Lutwidge Dodson improvised a story to tell to his friend's children one afternoon during a long journey rowing up the river Isis in Oxford. Taking up the pen name Lewis Carroll, Dodson's afternoon tale was eventually written up into a manuscript that would become Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. To mark the 160th anniversary of this legendary book, approximately 250 original drawings from the archives of British Macmillan will be exhibited for the first time in Japan.| Date & Time | UNTIL May 6, 2024・10:00-18:30・Closes at 16:30 on the last day |
| Price | Advance tickets from ¥1,000 |
| Location | Yokohama Takashimaya Gallery |
| More Info | Free for junior high school students and under |
Design: Yugo Nakamura
TDC2024 Exhibition
The Tokyo Type Directors Club (TDC2024) is a graphic design award focusing on visual expression of letters and words, now entering its 34th year. This exhibition will showcase around 130 outstanding pieces from its yearbook of 486 award-winning pieces.| Date & Time | UNTIL May 15, 2024・11:00-19:00・Closed Sundays, Holidays |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Ginza Graphic Gallery |
Familiar Strangers Group Photography Exhibition
Ephemere (stylized as ephemere.) gallery presents "Familiar Strangers," an international group photography exhibition and publication. Aptly named "Familiar Strangers," the exhibition and book brings forth a captivating display of diverse portrait styles and perspectives from 150 photographers across the globe. The collection features an eclectic mix of traditional, avant-garde, candid, conceptual, and environmental portraits that offer a multifaceted exploration of the human experience.| Date & Time | UNTIL Apr 28, 2024・12:00-17:00 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Ephemere. |
The Irises Screen: A National Treasure Exhibition
A world-famous piece of Japanese art, Irises by Ogata Korin (1658-1716) is a national treasure, regarded as masterful painting and design. The fragility of these paired golden screens, held at the Nezu Museum, means they are only on display once a year. The ticket price includes access to the Museum and its stunning gardens, so don't forget to catch the Kakitsubata pond irises outside afterwards.| Date & Time | UNTIL May 12, 2024・10:00-17:00・Closed on Mondays (except April 29 and May 6), closed May 7 |
| Price | ¥1,500 (General Entry to Museum) |
| Location | Nezu Museum |
"BLEACH / Returns" ©2024, Tite Kubo / Shueisha Inc. All rights reserved.
Bleach / Black, Blank & Bleed: Tite Kubo Exhibition at Azabudai Hills
A total of 10 new Bleach artworks created in 2024 are exhibited at at the Shueisha Manga-Art Heritage Gallery in Azabudai Hills from March 8 to May 6. The prints in the Bleach exhibition are divided into two categories: the “Real Color Collection” and “The Press,” a monochrome series. In the color collection there are images of Ichigo and friends dressed in kimono, Ichigo and members of the Gotei 13 squads, as well as the Arrancar villains. For the Gotei 13 image, they are dressed in Japanese delinquent-like outfits, while one image of the Arrancars shows them in corresponding white outfits. The monochrome prints show special art from the manga. This is rare opportunity to see high-quality Bleach artwork selected by the manga artist himself, as well as purchase one of the very limited hand-signed prints.| Date & Time | UNTIL May 6, 2024・11:00-20:00・Closed on Mondays |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Azabudai Hills |
If You Chase The Morning Calm: Photography Exhibition
“Kimi ga asanagi o ounara” (If You Chase the Morning Calm) is the second instalment of the two-part photography exhibition by photographers Lewis Harrison and Natsuki Itoh.
Asanagi (morning calm) was chosen for the title of this show as the works seek to evoke a temporary stillness, inviting viewers to chase their own “morning calm” through gentleness and warmth. Enjoy this visual meeting of minds from the British and Japanese photographers.
| Date & Time | UNTIL Mar 31, 2024・12:00-23:00・Monday to Saturday: 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00 | Sundays: 12:00 - 17:00 | Closed on Wednesdays. |
| Price | 1 Drink Order |
| Location | ATARI GALLERY & NATURAL FOOD CAFE, KOENJI |
Popup DJ Workshop and Events with Samo, Kotsu, Frankie $
AlphaTheta Corporation, the company responsible for Pioneer DJ products, is set to launch the AlphaTheta Lab® popup store at Harajuku’s Mil Gallery, running for 9 days from March 23 to March 31.
The popup aims to create an inclusive community for music lovers, and provide experiences for beginner DJs to professional DJs at the forefront of the music scene. It will also provide opportunities to touch, try and purchase a range of AlphaTheta’s DJ equipment firsthand, as well in-depth workshops, followed by free DJ events in the evenings. Special workshops tailored for parents and children (ages 6-12) will also take place on March 30.
The AlphaTheta Lab® popup space will transform into a vibrant dance floor with DJ performances curated on March 23 and 29, starting at 6 p.m. The lineup features local artists such as Kotsu from Japan-based house music collective CYK, Samo from Fullhouse, and N² from Kyun Desu.
| Date & Time | UNTIL Mar 31, 2024・11:00-21:00・March 23 & 29: guest DJ event from 18:00 | March 30: until 17:00, March 31: until 15:00 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | MIL GALLERY JINGUMAE |
MUCA Icons of Urban Art Exhibition
One of the largest museums of urban art in Europe, the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA), is bringing its collection to Japan for the first time this spring.
With over 60 valuable works, including a sculptural piece by Banksy, pieces by French street artist Invader, American artist Shepard Fairey and many more, the exhibition includes career-defining works by internationally renown artists.
| Date & Time | UNTIL Jun 2, 2024・10:00-19:00・10:00-20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, holidays and days before holidays |
| Price | Tickets from ¥2,400 |
| Location | Mori Arts Center Gallery |
| More Info | Discounts available for students |
“Universal / Remote” Exhibition
The National Art Center, Tokyo is hosting an exhibition titled “Universal / Remote.” This exhibition seeks to examine the various phenomena through contemporary art, such as the way we live and work within it and the state of society in the years following the pandemic.
Eight solo artists and one artistic collective have come together to explore traditional themes in contemporary art, such as global capitalism, and the digitalization of society. Featuring art from all over the world, from Asia to Scandinavia – including some works never-before seen in Japan. Viewers are invited to decipher post-pandemic society and the state of the individual.
| Date & Time | UNTIL Jun 3, 2024・10:00-18:00・Last entry 30 minutes before closing |
| Price | Tickets from ¥1,500. Discounts available for students. |
| Location | The National Art Center |
| More Info | Closed on Tuesdays |
A to Z: An Exhibition of The Former Residence of Prince Asaka
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Teien Art Museum, the former residence of Prince Asaka. As a large Art Deco-style building completed in 1933, the Museum oozes a glitzy modernist glamor rarely seen in Tokyo. Fans of art and interior design will enjoy this exhibition of the Prince’s home with a new focus on its materials, architectural techniques and historical anecdotes.
| Date & Time | UNTIL May 12, 2024・10:00-18:00・Closed every Monday and on April 30 and May 7 | March 22,23,29,30 opening until 20:00 (Last admission at 19:30) |
| Price | General Admission ¥1,400 (discounts available) |
| Location | Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum |
| More Info | Online reservation is recommended for the exhibition |
Joyful Confusions: Mogu Takahashi Exhibition
Artist Mogu Takahashi’s paintings are happy and vibrant. She describes the process of drawing as “like writing a letter to someone dear” and playing with her inner child, and this is evidenced through her charming use of color and animal characters.
With her previous work including the children’s counting book Poodles Eating Noodles and a series of paintings with long-nosed dog heads that look like shoes, this exhibition at Muji sister brand Idee is sure to uplift.
| Date & Time | UNTIL Apr 22, 2024・11:30-19:00 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Idee Jiyugaoka |
Ⓒ 2024 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Traveling Peanuts Exhibition
Held at the newly refurbished Snoopy Museum Tokyo, the “Traveling Peanuts” exhibition is showcasing original drawings by Charles M. Schulz that depict Snoopy and the Peanuts gang during their travels. There are more than 40 original comic strips borrowed from the Schulz Museum. “Traveling Peanuts” began on February 1, when the Snoopy Museum Tokyo reopened after being closed for three weeks.
The museum now includes a new Snoopy Wonder Room, featuring various Snoopy goods, and a new light and video presentation in the popular Snoopy Room area, which is known for its approximately 8-meter-long giant statue of Schulz’s most famous character. The museum’s shop, Brown’s Store, meanwhile, has added various items that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Adjacent to the museum is the Peanuts Cafe, which now includes terrace seating and a new grand menu.
| Date & Time | UNTIL Sep 1, 2024・10:00-18:00・Open until 20:00 between February 1 and 4, 19:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. Closed on February 20. |
| Price | Advance Ticket ¥1,800 | On the Day ¥2,000 |
| Location | Snoopy Museum Tokyo |
Fragments of the Future: Laboratory of Science and Design Exhibition
Design dreams of possible futures in this exhibition directed by engineer Shunji Yamanaka. Based around the theme of a more beautiful, surprising and engaging world, visitors can see prototypes, robots, and materials made by Yamanaka and others collaboratively. Showing what can emerge from combining design and scientific thinking, it asks, what could the materials of the future look like?
| Date & Time | UNTIL Aug 12, 2024・11:00-19:00・Closed on Tuesdays |
| Price | ¥1,400 |
Seasonal Events
Tokyo Tower Spring Event
Tokyo Tower's annual spring event is back. An impressive array of 333 colorful streamers will be displayed in front of the main entrance of the first floor, in honor of the height of Tokyo Tower (333 meters). It will make for a fantastic photo opportunity, and come Children's Day on May 6, there will also be various activities on offer in the vicinity.| Date & Time | UNTIL May 6, 2024・09:00-22:30 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Tokyo Tower |
Sagamiko Illumillion 2023-2024
The famous Sagami Lake 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.
| Date & Time | UNTIL May 12, 2024・16:00-21:00・Apr 8 - May 12 | Weekends and holidays only |
| Price | Adult pass ¥2,000+ | Child pass ¥1,300+ |
| Location | Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest |
| More Info | 12/24-1/3 Illumination ends at 21:30 |
Afternoon Tea and Seasonal Menus
Ginza Six Mihara Local Market
Enjoy local, artisanal foods and craft drinks made in Japan at Ginza Six. Ladybirds Bottle Shop Tsukiji will present a specially-curated lineup of the finest craft beers from around the country, and edibles like sandwiches and finger foods will be on offer from Ginza's local sellers.| Date & Time | Apr 26, 2024-Apr 28, 2024・11:00-18:00・Closes at 17:00 on April 28 |
| Price | Free |
| Location | Ginza Six |
| More Info | Located at Mihara Terrace, 2F |
Aphrodite by Venus de Milo Afternoon Tea
A unique afternoon tea series inspired by the ancient Greek sculpture “Venus de Milo” can be enjoyed for a limited time at the bar and lounge, Whisk, located on the 16th floor of the luxury hotel MESM. The delightful course, titled “Afternoon Exhibition,” features a wide range of sweets and savory dishes inspired by ancient Greece, where the Venus de Milo, which is believed to depict Aphrodite, was discovered.
It’s a playful course that makes it feel like you are inside a museum. On top of that, the small dishes, including baklava, moussaka, halva, cheesecake and some Greek-style fritters known as tiganites, all taste amazing. The highlight of the program, though, is the Greek yogurt peach mousse that looks identical to the Venus de Milo. Guests can complete the artwork with some apricot and raspberry sauce, which are served separately.
| Date & Time | UNTIL May 2, 2024・14:00- |
| Price | Starting from ¥6,500 (inclusive of consumption tax and 15% service charge) |
| Location | Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection |
