Free things to do in Tokyo this weekend

An antiques and crafts market with the theme of ‘old yet new’ is taking place at Coredo Muromachi’s Nakadori Street on February 22 and 23. Expect a large number of shops selling one-off vintage Western goods, old Japanese tools, crafts, dry flowers, antique sundry goods and more.

Setagaya's Hanegi Park is home to over 600 plum blossom trees. These small, pink flowers bloom when the weather starts to warm up and Hanegi Park celebrates with a month-long festival. The Setagaya Plum Festival (or Setagaya Ume Matsuri) celebrates the flowering season with events like mochi pounding, tea ceremonies and traditional music performances. Most of these events take place on weekends and holidays. You'll find the event schedule here (in Japanese only). While you're there, stop by the on-site food stalls for plum jam or plum-flavoured treats like sweet mochi daifuku or baked manju with candied plums and white bean paste inside. 

A popular place for plum blossom fans since olden times, Yushima Tenmangu shrine still draws crowds every year. The plum blossoms might get less hype than the cherry blossoms that follow, but they still make for some gorgeous late-winter scenery. This year marks the 68th run of the Yushima Tenjin Ume Matsuri. The annual festival is one of Tokyo's most popular late-winter events, and it takes place for a month from February 8 until March 8. The shinto shrine is home to about 300 plum trees, and most of them are around 70 to 80 years old. Approximately 80 percent of them produce white plum blossoms.  On weekends and holidays – February 8-9, 11, 15-16, 22-24, March 1 – you can look forward to events such as live shamisen (Japanese lute) and taiko drumming as well as flamenco and belly dancing performances. You’ll also find a number of stalls selling souvenirs from Bunkyo ward as well as local products from Shimane (February 8-9, 11), Aomori (Feb 15-16), Kumamoto (February 22-24), and Ishikawa (March 1-2).

Enoshima’s annual illumination is widely touted as one of the three biggest and most impressive light-up events in Japan, alongside the ones at Ashikaga Flower Park and Sagamiko. There are about 10 illumination spots scattered across the hilly island – including the Enoshima Shrine, Ryuren Bell of Love on Lover's Hill and Nakatsumiya Square – so put on some comfortable shoes as you’ll be trekking a lot. Don’t miss the main attraction located at the island’s iconic Enoshima Sea Candle lighthouse, which is decked out in 70m-long strings of lights stretching from the tip of the tower to the ground, creating a formation similar to the silhouette of Mt Fuji. The Samuel Cocking Garden, where the Sea Candle is located, is transformed into the dreamy Hoseki (bejewelled) Forest, where everything from the ground and the grass to the trees are covered in rainbow-coloured lights. Keep an eye out for the Shonan Chandelier tunnel, all decked out with luxurious crystal beads and LED lights. Most attractions are open from 5pm to 8pm (until 9pm on weekends and holidays). You can see most of the light-ups on Enoshima for free, but you will need a ticket (¥500, children ¥250) to enter the Samuel Cocking Garden. If you're on the island early during daylight hours, head over to Enoshima Iwaya (¥500, children ¥250), as the island's famous cave, created by decades of wave erosion, is bedecked with sparkling lights from 9am to 5pm.

The neighbourhoods of Ochiai and Nakai are famous for their traditional dyeing industries that date back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The annual Some no Komichi festival takes place in Nakai, which is affectionately known as the ‘Town of Dyeing’, where over 300 related businesses flourished between the early Showa era (1926–1989) and the 1930s. These days, the area is still home to a few skilled craftsmen, who work tirelessly to preserve the traditional dyeing techniques. For this celebration, dozens of colourful fabrics are strung across the Myoshoji River while you’ll find plenty of noren (traditional shop curtains) being displayed along the local shotengai (shopping street). You can also participate in workshops and watch demonstrations held at the local primary school from 11am to 4pm on February 22 and 23. For a deeper insight into the different dyeing techniques, sign up for the free English guided tours (Saturday and Sunday from 11.30am). Check the festival website for the latest information.

The annual Hibiya Magic Time Illumination is returning for its sixth run at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya. This year, the event boasts four areas bathed in beautiful lights inspired by twinkling stars in the night sky. Hibiya-Nakadori Street is decked out with captivating multi-coloured illuminations. Hibiya Step Square, meanwhile, features seven Christmas trees (on display until December 25) inspired by Disney's soon-to-be-released 'Moana 2'. Adorned with multicoloured LEDs, the Christmas trees will light up in sync with the movie's soundtrack. Don’t miss the Park View Winter Garden on the sixth floor. Here you’ll find glittering rainbow-coloured lights on the grass lawn, which draws inspiration from Hibiya's flashy image as an entertainment district. The illuminations take place daily from 4pm to 11pm.

Spend winter in Japan the right way at the Sweet Potato Expo at Keyaki Hiroba plaza located just outside Saitama Super Arena. From big-time yakiimo makers to independent food trucks, discover 31 of the best sweet potato vendors and vote for your favourite in the National Yakiimo Grand Prix. Eat sweet potatoes the traditional way – straight out of the stone oven – or try them in soup, chips, pies and croquettes. The event this year features a free area where visitors can casually enjoy sweet potato desserts and dishes, while the main venue, showcasing sweet potatoes from across Japan, requires an entry fee.