The best things to do in Tokyo this weekend

The Oedo Antique Market, the largest and oldest outdoor market of its kind in Japan, is great for picking up some cool art, unique handicrafts or vintage decorative items. Keep an eye out for real Edo-era (1603-1867) treasures hidden among the heaps of merchandise, which range from ceramics and clothing to ukiyo-e prints. Currently, it's being held on the first and third Sunday of the month at the Tokyo International Forum. You can check the exact market dates updated on the website.

First held in 2015, this multinational celebration returns for the first time in six years to Keyaki Street near Yoyogi Park Events Square, where you can enjoy food, drinks, music and entertainment, plus all the salsa dancing you can possibly take over a single weekend.

Grab a spicy taco and wash it down with beer, caipirinha or tropical cocktail before moving on to the vast selection of rum and tequila. In between meals and dancing, go check out the stalls selling handicrafts and other fun accessories.

Now into its 28th year, Asia's largest St. Patrick's Day parade is always good for a highly festive atmosphere. The main strip of Omotesando is closed to traffic during Sunday afternoon, when a parade of costumed revellers, marching bands and cheerleaders wends its way up the hill and back again – then off to the nearest pub for a few rounds of Guinness. While you're there, make sure to also check out the Green Ireland Festival, which takes over Yoyogi Park Events Square for the weekend with stalls hawking Irish grub, music and dance performances, playful rugby scrums and more.

Yebisu Brewery Tokyo is holding a collaborative art exhibit between Yebisu Beer and manga artist Hirohiko Araki, creator of the bestselling series Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Widely known for his unique artistic style and poses, Araki was invited to collaborate with Yebisu Beer to draw bijin-ga portraits inspired by advertisements produced by the brewery in the early 1900s. Bijin-ga is a term used for portraits of beautiful women in Japanese art, and the style was often applied to beer advertisements back in the day. 

The exhibit will display Araki’s two three-metre tall modern interpretations of bijin-ga, drawn in his signature vivid style: ‘Western’ and ‘Peach Patrol.’ Don’t forget to get the limited-edition Araki-designed Ebisu Beer cans and merch on your way out, as they’re being released in limited quantities.

Tucked away behind three hotels, the Takanawa Cherry Blossom Festival is being held at an expansive Japanese garden with approximately 210 cherry blossom trees of 17 different types. Starting with the winter-blooming kawazu blossoms in February, the garden hosts a wide variety of cherry trees to enjoy for three consecutive months.

The cherry blossoms here are illuminated every evening from 4.30pm to 12 midnight until April 13 (Sunday). During this time, the paths in the garden are also decorated with over 400 ornate bamboo lanterns to evoke the local custom of 'Takanawa Nijurokuya', a moon-waiting ritual from the Edo period (1603–1868). This spot is a highlight for those interested in taking the ultimate sakura snaps.

While you're there, don't miss the exciting workshops at the Japanese garden such as the tea ceremony experience, senbei-making class (no reservations required), outdoor morning yoga experience, and more. Special cherry blossom-viewing rooms are also available for booking.

For more information on workshops and stay packages, check the event website.

Celebrate spring's arrival at Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, where the annual highlight is the illumination of the 200m avenue lined with cherry blossoms in the Garden Area. This spot is especially scenic between 5pm and 11pm during the spring festival when all of the trees are lit up. Before the cherry blossoms bloom, they're bathed in bright pink light. Once in full bloom, the lights shine a bright white, letting you admire the blossoms in all their splendour.

For an extra leisurely experience, you can get a seat at the Roku Midtown Blossom Lounge (12pm-8pm) in the Midtown Garden, where you’ll find exclusive spring-inspired cocktails and dishes prepared by chefs from the nearby Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Check the lounge menu here. 

Catch the sight of cherry blossoms before anywhere else at the 60th floor observatory of Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City this spring. From February 27 to May 11, the relaxing indoor park with artificial turf will be decorated with colourful cherry blossom decorations, including branches from real Somei Yoshino cherry trees nearby. These will be set up mainly around the Tembo no Oka (‘observatory hill’) area.

Since the observatory’s whole hanami experience can be enjoyed indoors, there’s no need to worry about the weather or any irritating pollen flying around. During the event period, the Tembo Park Cafe will be offering a special hanami menu featuring treats such as the Tenkuu Strawberry au Lait and the pink Sakura Mont Blanc. You can borrow a picnic blanket at the venue and sit down on the turf with your refreshments. 

If you’re visiting after nightfall, don’t miss the chance to try the Moonlight Lemon Sour, which is inspired by the moonlit night sky. It’s the perfect boozy complement to the beautifully illuminated cherry blossom ornaments and eye-catching views of Tokyo.

Japan's oldest beer hall in Ginza – Beer Hall Lion Ginza 7-chome – is decorating its interior with pink cherry blossoms, so that punters can enjoy the gorgeous pink blooms indoors while nursing a cold pint.

If you can’t be bothered to head out to the parks early to secure a spot for your hanami cherry blossom picnic, just make a reservation here and then order straight from the menu, where you’ll find hearty pub grub including steak, sausages and draft beer.

On April 8 and the last day of the event (April 14), the beer hall will put on a Hanami Finale Concert with live music.

Step into the masterful world of Japan’s most celebrated woodblock print artist this spring at ‘Hokusai: Another Story’, held at Shibuya’s Tokyu Plaza. Utilising the latest in high-definition imaging, spatial audio and Sony’s state-of-the-art sensory technology, the exhibition promises to bring Hokusai’s iconic works to life.

The main highlight of the exhibition is the vivid scenery of Hokusai's ‘Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji’, with ultra-high-definition visuals and Sony's Crystal LED displays recreating the intricate details of the work. Visualise, hear and feel the sensation of jumping on puddles or walking on dry sand, thanks in part to haptic floor technology developed by Sony PCL. Then, follow a path illuminated by bamboo lights to reach a room where you can browse master replicas of iconic ukiyo-e prints. Each replica is crafted using DTIP (3D Texture Image Processing) technology that scans every fibre of the traditional washi-paper originals to preserve the works digitally. This multisensory experience allows visitors to not only see, but truly feel, the world Hokusai depicted.

Tickets must be purchased in advance through the event website.

If you’re looking for the most OTT illumination in Tokyo, this is it. Yomiuri Land's annual winter light show will bedazzle even the most jaded illumination-fiend. As the name suggests, jewels are the focus here: literally millions of colourful LEDs are set up throughout the vast theme park evoking sparkling gems. The park is split into ten areas where you will be treated to beautifully lit attractions. 

In addition to the 180-metre-long, rainbow-lit Celebration Promenade and Crystal Passage, you’ll spot two gigantic sparkly Ferris wheels to mark the amusement park's 60th anniversary. The highlight, however, is the fountain show, with water illuminated in different colours and sprayed into the air to create stunning shapes. There are three kinds of show happening every 15 minutes from 5pm daily. Also look out for the fountain’s flames and lasers, which are synchronised to music.

Located next to Tokyo amusement park Yomiuri Land, the Hana Biyori garden is lighting up with a spectacular illumination display until April 6 2025. Follow the path lined with 500 takeakari bamboo lanterns and takemari (ball-like ornaments made from bamboo) and you’ll come to a historical gate that was transplanted from the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Once inside, you’ll find a wall of illuminated Japanese umbrellas that look like colourful lanterns, leading you further into the garden. Awaiting here are more takeakari and takemari, in addition to a glowing chozuya (basin with purified water) decked out with flowers.

A new addition this year are the kiri-e (paper cutout) lanterns, which are placed around the garden’s east waterfall, as well as an illuminated bamboo wall featuring cutout images of flowers, wind and water.

To complement your experience, you can rent a Japanese umbrella and lantern to walk around and take photos for just ¥200.

Sagamiko Resort Mori Mori has gone all out for its winter illuminations, featuring over six million dazzling LEDs. This year, there's an entire area dedicated to Japan's beloved laid-back bear, Rilakkuma, along with his sidekick Korilakkuma and other San-X friends like Sumikkogurashi.

You can hop on the park’s Rainbow Chairlift and sail over colourful stripes before reaching the top of a hill, where you'll find a series of illumination art walls showcasing Rilakkuma and his friends. Walk further in to discover a massive Tarepanda inflatable and a bear-shaped igloo with Sumikkogurashi characters glowing in colourful lights.

Be sure to catch the spectacular illumination show at the San-X character stage, where Korilakkuma, Afro-dog and Ebifurai No Shippo perform live with synchronised laser lights for four minutes each. Nearby, a massive Rilakkuma is perched a set of swings, providing the perfect setup for a special photo.

While you’re there, indulge in Rilakkuma and Sumikkogurashi-themed meals and snacks. Enjoy a hearty Sumikkogurashi Bon Pasta or the Meat Doria Plate with San-X characters. Prefer something sweet? Then check out the colorful popcorn sundae or the Rilakkuma pudding in a cup.

Experience traditional Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints in motion at Warehouse Terrada this winter, as digital creative company Hitohata returns to Tokyo with a dazzling exhibition of works by many of Japan’s most prized artists, including Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige.

The exhibition is set to open on December 21 and will go on until March 31. Expect to see vibrant artworks come to life with surging waves, falling sakura petals and moving flowers and trees.

In addition to the digital exhibits, the museum will display a selection of famous ukiyo-e from the Edo period (1603–1867), making for a perfect chance to learn more about the art form’s history and culture.

Tickets are currently on sale online, with early-bird ticket discounts available from kkday, eplus and Lawson Ticket until Dec 20. 

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building in Shinjuku now serves as the backdrop for a jaw-dropping and record-breaking projection mapping show. Covering an area of a whopping 13,905sqm, the after-dark spectacle has been certified by Guinness World Records as the largest permanent display of its kind in the world.

The nightly showcase features a range of visual wonders created by a mix of local and international artists. Some shows are inspired by Tokyo's rich history, while others draw on themes like the lunar cycle. 

Currently, on weeknights, you can catch striking visuals sychronised to ‘Idol’ and 'Butai ni tatte' by hit Japanese pop duo Yoasobi as well as 'Pac-Man eats Tokyo' ‘Lunar Cycle’, 'Synergy', 'Poetic Structures' and 'Golden Fortune'. On weekends, you can look forward to a showcase featuring 'Godzilla: Attack on Tokyo!', the aforementioned ‘Butai ni tatte (Yoasobi)’ as well as ‘Tokyo Concerto'. New from December 2024, is 'TYO337', a display featuring motifs of traditional Japanese perforing arts such as Kabuki paired with electronic beats.

Shows take place every night at half-hour intervals from 6.30pm (Apr from 7pm, May-Aug from 7.30pm) to 9.45pm. For more details and to check the full programme of daily projection mapping shows, visit here.

Cherry blossoms are a fleeting beauty; the delicate pink blooms are at their peak for just a few days. However, you can still get into the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) mood at Tokyo National Museum’s annual cherry blossom exhibition.

From March 11 to April 6, the museum is showcasing a collection of Japanese art from the Edo period that celebrates the sakura season. There will be paintings, scrolls, kimono, tableware and more.

To see the actual flowers, walk over to the northern part of the museum’s garden. Here you’ll find ten kinds of cherry sakura trees in bloom.

Admission is ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for university students.

What Museum, in Tokyo waterfront district Tennozu, presents an ‘inadvertent’ collection of contemporary art belonging to renowned tech and AI entrepreneur, Takafumi Takahashi. The ‘T2 Collection’, which takes its name from owner’s initials, has been amassed over the past six years as Takahashi gradually dived deeper into the world of modern art. Along the way he picked up works which captivated him in some way, by notable Japanese and international artists including Kohei Nawa, Barry McGee and Tatsuo Miyajima. What was never consciously acquired with a ‘collection’ in mind is now on public display for the first – and possibly only – time.

Across the 35 diverse works featured here, a common thread is Takahashi’s recognition of a connection between art and entrepreneurship, in that the leading players in both spheres challenge the world with unique and unprecedented concepts and visions. One exhibition room, dedicated to the medium of photography, explores how contemporary artists have developed their photographic expression amid a rapid rate of change in both technology and the role of images in society.

Get ready to have your senses awakened at What Museum’s latest exhibit, Synesthesia. This captivating showcase explores the work of an artist who uses air, water, and light to craft mesmerizing sculptures that blur the lines between perception and reality. 

Exhibiting artist Akihito Okunaka, with a background in sociology and art education, was influenced by the late philosopher Bruno Latour to explore the connections between nature and society through our five senses. This exhibition invites visitors to touch, enter and lie down in a balloon-like installation piece, and truly feel a connection with our surroundings through a multi-sensory journey.

The centrepiece of the show is sure to be the 12-meter diameter balloon sculpture. Weighed down by a water pillow and bathed in different light frequencies, this mesmerizing creation promises a visual and tactile experience that blurs the lines between sight and touch. Imagine light refracting through multiple layers of translucent plastic film, creating a kaleidoscope of colours that dance across the surface, all while the gentle sway of the balloon invites exploration.

This exhibition is closed on Mondays (except October 14, November 4, January 13, February 3 and 24) and New Year’s holidays

The work of Kei Imazu, a Japanese-born artist now based in Indonesia, explores how technological innovations have the power to influence human perception. Now, with Imazu increasingly gaining global attention, Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery presents her first major solo exhibition.

Tactile, 'traditional' artistic tools and materials meet digital imaging tech in Imazu's experimental approaches. Images sourced from a diversity of media are digitally sampled and processed, before being combined on canvas with oil painting. Elements from history and mythology, including those of her adopted Indonesia, join present-day concerns such as environmental issues and ecofeminism to form large-scale, analogue-digital collages that are truly of their time.

This exhibition is closed on Mondays (except January 13 and February 24) as well as January 14, February 9 and February 25.

Working mainly amidst the modernisation push and ensuing tumult of the Meiji era, Toyohara Kunichika (1835–1900) was a visionary ukiyo-e printmaker who revitalised the traditional art form with his bold use of colour and dynamic compositions. Best known for his yakusha-e (portraits of kabuki actors), Kunichika brought the world of theatre to life with an intensity rarely seen before. 

The Ota Memorial Museum of Art commemorates the 190th anniversary of Kunichika’s birth with a retrospective featuring 210 carefully selected works. The exhibition offers a comprehensive view of the artist’s palette, highlighting not only his famous actor portraits, but also his bijin-ga (beautiful women), musha-e (warriors), landscapes, and rare nikuhitsu-ga (hand-painted ukiyo-e). Drawing on the latest academic research, the retrospective sheds new light on Kunichika’s artistic evolution and enduring influence.

Kunichika isn’t quite as well-known or highly appreciated as some of his fellow printmakers from the same era, so this exhibition makes for a rare opportunity to explore the full oeuvre of an artist who, against the tide of modernisation, remained true to his commitment to a centuries-old tradition while redefining it for a new era.

Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away in 2023 aged 71, was one of Japan's most globally influential musicians and composers. He also had a talent for creating multimedia art and became a prominent social activist, concerned with pacifism and environmental issues.

For much of the past two decades, Sakamoto focused upon three-dimensional sound installations, and these comprise the bulk of this show. A series of these immersive large-scale works unfolds around the MOT's vast exhibition spaces to mesmerising effect. The outdoor 'Sunken Terrace', for example, plays host to a literal 'fog sculpture' titled 'Life-Well Tokyo', produced in collaboration with artists Shiro Takatani, of Dumb Type and Fujiko Nakaya. Inside several works draw upon the music that Sakamoto created for his 2017 album 'async', a recording that pursued asynchronicity in a bid to create entirely 'untraditional' music. Indoor and out, together these pieces form a poignant tribute to a much-missed member of the creative community. 

As his nickname ‘God of Manga’ suggests, the Osaka-born Osamu Tezuka (1928–1989) revolutionised Japanese manga and animation, shaping the industry into what it is today. His immense creativity and pioneering storytelling introduced the world to classics such as Astro Boy, Black Jack and Kimba the White Lion. The artist himself, however, considered Phoenix (Hinotori) his magnum opus. A profound and ambitious saga exploring the nature of life, death and reincarnation, the Phoenix narrative follows humanity’s relentless pursuit of immortality through the mythical bird whose blood grants eternal life, alternating between the distant past and far future. 

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of this landmark work, the first large-scale Phoenix exhibition will take place from March 7 to May 25 at Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills. Featuring over 800 pieces spanning the manga’s twelve main arcs, the exhibition will not only showcase original artworks and manuscripts; it’ll also invite visitors to explore Tezuka's conclusion, left unfinished following the artist’s untimely death in 1989.

By merging art, philosophy and science, ‘Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix Exhibition’ offers a fresh perspective on one of manga’s greatest masterpieces, conveying Tezuka’s visionary legacy to new generations.

Cutting-edge technologies such as AI and the merging of virtual and real worlds are reshaping our planet at an ever-faster pace. A wider look back at human history, meanwhile, reveals that art and technology have always progressed in parallel: computer art, where the two spheres become truly enmeshed with each other, is the latest example of this. This boldly future-facing exhibition presents a selection of contemporary art whose creators have utilised AI, VR and game engines, as well as works produced entirely by generative AI. Together, these diverse exhibits explore radical new aesthetics, and revolutionary approaches to image-making.

Among works that alternate between digital and real space, highlights include enchanting video works by Japan's Asako Fujikura, in which she uses 3D graphic rendering to create virtual cities where industrial materials move around as if alive. Beeple, meanwhile, an alias of US artist, designer and animator Mike Winkelmann, presents 'Human one' (2021). This kinetic video sculpture is intended to represent the first 'human' born within the metaverse, as they travel through a changing digital landscape.

This exhibition is open until 10pm on April 29 and May 6.

Swedish-born artist Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) was a pioneer of abstract painting, whose work prefigured that of such revered figures as Piet Mondrian and Wassily Kandinsky. Yet, for decades, her work was known only to a handful of people. The 21st century, however, has seen Klint receive some long overdue global recognition. A 2018 retrospective at New York's Guggenheim Museum attracted the largest visitor numbers in that venue's history, and now the prestigious National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo presents her first career overview to be held in Asia.

The exhibition centres upon selections from "The Paintings for the Temple", a series which Klint, who was involved in the then-booming spiritualist movement, produced between 1906 and 1915 after believing the project to have been 'commissioned' from another dimension during a seance. The artist perceived these works which combine abstract and figurative elements, and organic and geometric forms, to have been created 'through' her by some external spiritual force.

Advance tickets are sold until March 3. This exhibition is closed on Mondays (except March 31 and May 5) as well as May 7.