Events calendar Tokyo

Like all major capitals, Tokyo organizes its International Film Festival, which is above all open to all Asian cinemas. The event is usually held at Roppongi Hills, but other venues such as Kabuki-za also have programs. It's an opportunity to discover films and directors who have less visibility in Western countries. If you speak English, you'll be able to watch the festival's films.

Miyashita Park was until recently one of the few green spaces in the Shibuya district, where skaters, urban sportsmen and homeless people used to gather. In 2020, it was revamped into a large shopping center with a huge terrace. It is distinguished by its eclecticism: sports halls or cafes, bar alleys, art galleries, and even a workshop where you make your own chocolate bars. The complex retains the young and cool image of the old park. All kinds of activities are organized there, and you can also stay there.

A mythical matsuri from Tokyo and also one of the three most important festivals in Japan, particularly dense in odd years and quieter in even years. It goes back to the Edo period. Mikoshis (portable sanctuaries), priests on horseback and magnificent floats parade through the streets of the city, overrun by crowds.

6 musicians have created an ensemble called: Aioi (Growing Together). Their one-hour interactive show is an opportunity to learn more about the instruments used and the history of the pieces played. The musicians play the Japanese harp (koto), the Japanese bass harp (jûshichigen), the Japanese flute (shakuhachi), the Japanese drum (taiko). The performance takes place in a small room to be as close as possible to the artists. For amateurs, private performances are possible as well as a private music lesson at the end of the performance.

The Tokyo City Firefighters New Year's Day Parade takes place every year at the Tokyo Big Sight. The aim is to do fire prevention. The history of the event dates back to the creation of fire brigades after the great fire of Meireki in 1657 that killed around 100,000 people. Originally, the job of firefighter required climbing skills. Today, firefighters perform breathtaking acrobatics on high wooden poles. It's a festive way to remind people that fires in Tokyo are still a common danger.

Japan's largest art fair allows everyone to discover the different faces of art, old and new, and what's new on the art market. It's an opportunity to meet artists, discover new trends in contemporary art, or immerse oneself in Japanese antiques or traditional paintings. Satellite" sites organize parallel exhibitions to the main fair in other places: airports, hotels or museums. A not-to-be-missed event for art lovers.

Design Festa is the largest art festival in Asia. It takes place in May in Tokyo Big Sight, and all forms of artistic expression are represented. Dance, illustration, interior design or even cooking, everything is mixed in a joyful cacophony. Artists young and old come here to exhibit their work, with an emphasis on astonishing, strange and unique forms. It is a place of artistic discovery that takes art out of a solemn straitjacket and turns it into a real popular festival, as the name of the event indicates.

This rock festival has gained notoriety over the years. It takes place in the Naeba ski resort in Niigata prefecture. In a beautiful setting, Japanese and international artists perform in front of a crowd of enthusiastic fans. Every year, the program is made up of big international groups. Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cure or Muse have been there. A big party takes place on Thursday night, the day before the festival, to celebrate the opening. The place is a bit remote, but everything is done to facilitate access.

Fans of the uniformed warrior Sailor Moon need not worry: this cafe-show features the adventures of Azabu Juban's high school girl and her friends, the sailors, as they battle the enemies of planet Earth and the Moon. More ambitious than most themed shows, it will delight fans and the curious with its special effects, dances and choreographed fights. The downside is, as usual, the food that is not very digestible, but you can leave with a plate or a bowl with the effigy of its heroine