Tokyo Tower 2020 light-up Until Sat Sep 7, 2013 Tokyo Tower Tokyo Tower is doing its part to get the city into the spirit of the Games. Check it out after dark to see it lit up in the Olympic colours of green, yellow, blue and red, with the shut-off observatory lights representing black to complete the set. Catch it while you can – the lights will only be on until the announce date (September 7). Details Open Until Sep 7 Time 5-10pm...
Read MoreThings to do: This weekend: Koenji Awaodori 2013 dance festival
Sat Aug 24 – Sun Aug 25, 2013 Around Koenji 12,000 dancers pile out on to the streets of Koenji over the two days of the annual Awaodori, undoubtedly one of Tokyo’s most energetic festivals – and one with crowds to match. The awaodori (‘awa dance’) tradition can be traced back to Tokushima in Shikoku, where the story goes that the localdaimyo plied his citizens with booze to celebrate the completion of the local castle in 1586, leading to a citywide outbreak of dancing in...
Read MoreThings to do: This weekend: Roppongi Hills Bon-Odori dance festival
Until Sun Aug 25, 2013 Roppongi Hills Arena This lively Roppongi Hills event features traditional Obon dance performed in a purpose-built arena by yukata-clad dancers. Decorations add to the atmosphere, while the surrounding stalls cater to hungry crowds with all the usual festival fare. Details Open Aug 23-25 Time Fri (stalls only) 5-9pm, Sat-Sun stalls from 3-9pm, performance 5-8pm Venue Roppongi Hills Arena Address 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Transport Roppongi...
Read MoreThings to do: This weekend: Super Yosakoi (2013) dance festival
Sat Aug 24 – Sun Aug 25, 2013 Yoyogi Park Omotesando, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park The final weekend of August is always a good time for dancing in the streets, with many major festivals kicking off. The original yosakoi dance started life in Kochi in 1954, where it was intended to help revitalise the struggling post-war economy, and Tokyo’s own Super Yosakoi festival has been going for just over a decade now. The event sees 90-odd teams of brightly attired dancers trying to...
Read MoreThings to do: This weekend: U-1 Grand Prix; an undon noodle contest in Yoyogi park
Sat Aug 24 – Sun Aug 25, 2013 Yoyogi Park There are plenty of delicious udon places in Japan, but which is the best? How do you know whether you’re eating the finest bowl out there, or being fobbed off with second or third-rate noodles? The U-1 Grand Prix, held in Yoyogi Park, is a championship to determine Japan’s best udon. Stores from across the country will gather for the two-day fest to prove their worth, including representatives from as far afield...
Read MoreThings to do: TONIGHT One Summer Night with DVS1 & DJ Nobu
Hallowed Nishi-Azabu club Eleven may have closed, but the folks who ran it are still busy bringing dance music to Japan. This weekend they host a one-off night at Unit featuring veteran US DJ DVS1 (“Devious One,” get it?). The Minneapolis-based artist is known in the Midwest for his Hush parties that draw on a 10,000-strong vinyl collection, and of late he’s been getting a worldwide rep for his simple, elegant productions as well. No less than Detroit techno avatar Derrick...
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