Things to do in Tokyo this week

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.

The 18th edition of this massive flea market is taking place this March at Kokuyo Shinagawa The Campus. Over 70 companies and brands from fields including interior design, fashion and food will take part in addressing wastefulness by shedding light on unique unsold products and dead stock items. Keep an eye out for fashion by Japanese brands such as United Arrows and Beams, and trinkets by Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, Kokuyo and more.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Taking place every month at the renovated Shibuya Municipal Kitaya Park, this outdoor vintage market is the place to pick up everything from American Levi's and handmade knit sweaters to unique artisanal accessories. Boasting approximately 30 booths, the market offers a curated selection of shops selling on-trend vintage outfits and trinkets from local artists, making it an exciting day out for fashion fiends.

Check the event Instagram for more details.

Diggin Deep is an outdoor market where you can literally dig through heaps of records and second-hand clothes. 30 shops from all over the country will set up booths to sell everything from rare Japanese LPs and ’80 European vintage to NY-style chopped cheese.

Check the event website for more details. (Japanese only)

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.

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. 

Kameido's charming Tenjin Shrine hosts this annual early spring festival in celebration of the 300 plum trees – 50 koubai red blossoms and 150 hakubai white plum trees – on the premises. The goken-no-ume tree is particularly special as it has both red and white plums blooming on one tree.

The flowers usually reach full bloom between the middle of February and early March, while a variety of events will take place throughout the festival period – mainly on the weekends.

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).

Mukojima Hyakkaen Gardens has been revered as a prime flower viewing spot since the Edo period (1603-1868). In fact, the layout and some of the buildings in this heritage park date back to that time. The highlight, however, is the garden’s 360 plum trees of 20 kinds, which come alive in full bloom between February 8 and March 2 during the annual Plum Festival.

If possible, make sure you visit on February 8 or 24 for the special Edo-era entertainment. There will be a variety of street performances and dances scheduled at 11.40am, 1pm and 3pm. Don’t miss the suzume-odori performance, also known as the sparrow dance, on February 9 and 16 at 1pm and 3pm.

Park staff are offering a 60-minute garden tour on February 23 at 1pm and there will also be a special tea ceremony demonstration serving matcha tea at the Onari-zashiki resting area from 10am to 4pm on February 22 and 23. (¥1,000 per seat) Note that the tour is in Japanese only. All events except for the tea ceremony demonstration are free, but there is a fee to enter the garden. 

The garden is open daily from 9am-5pm.

Step into a world where reality is reshaped at ‘A Miniature World x Hyakudan Kaidan’, an exhibition that invites you to explore Japan in its tiniest, most intricate forms. Held within the historic Hyakudan Kaidan, a designated tangible cultural property located at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, the event transforms seven rooms into enchanting realms of meticulously crafted miniatures. 

Running until March 9, the exhibition showcases over 1,000 pieces that span a wide array of styles and periods, from Edo-period (1603–1867) dollhouses to contemporary hyper-realistic dioramas. A particular highlight is the Hinamatsuri collection, where Hina dolls and accessories evoke the refinement of Japan’s traditional Girls’ Day festival. In a dimly lit room, shimmering reflections from a still-water display enhance the exquisite details of these diminutive treasures.

Going beyond traditional miniatures, the exhibition aims for an immersive experience that plays with perspective, inviting visitors to feel as if they have shrunk and entered a whimsical wonderland. By juxtaposing historical craftsmanship with modern mastery, ‘A Miniature World x Hyakudan Kaidan’ offers an extraordinary glimpse into the artistry of small-scale creations.

Strawberry lovers won’t want to miss the Yokohama Strawberry Festival, which is celebrating its 12th anniversary this year at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. You can shop for strawberries from across Japan and enjoy the fruit in a variety of desserts and drinks. Look out for free samples as well, plus lots of other strawberry goods to take home.

It’s also a photogenic festival with plenty of strawberry decorations around the iconic Red Brick Warehouse buildings. Don’t miss the giant strawberry installation, which is sure to be an Instagram hit.

Note: Closed on February 18.

Believe it or not, SpongeBob SquarePants is turning 25. The lovable yellow deep-sea dweller has delighted audiences worldwide with his infectious enthusiasm and underwater adventures since debuting back in 1999. In that time, the Nickelodeon character has become – hell, it’s true – a global cultural icon, inspiring generations with his quirky humor and unforgettable catchphrases. Set in the whimsical world of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob’s misadventures with Patrick, Squidward and company have transcended TV to influence films, Broadway and an ever-expanding universe of merchandise.

To celebrate a quarter-century of SpongeBob, Seibu Shibuya will host ‘SpongeBob Snapshot Square’ from February 19 to March 9. Snapping pics in front of numerous photo spots featuring vibrant pop art, visitors can capture moments that make them feel like they’ve entered a real SpongeBob episode. 

In addition to interactive displays, the event will feature Japan’s largest-ever SpongeBob pop-up store, offering a wide selection of character merch. A special highlight will be a collaboration with renowned marine researcher and artist Sakana-kun, whose exclusive SpongeBob-inspired artwork will be available for purchase. 

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the joy of SpongeBob, the Snapshot Square promises a fun-filled dive into an animated classic that continues to amuse and gross out viewers across generations.

Fans of Hotel New Otani’s sweet buffet can rejoice because it’s back this year with a selection of all-you-can-eat strawberry desserts using the highest quality amaou strawberries. There’s unlimited Super Amaou Shortcake, the hotel’s signature dessert, which is usually sold for ¥1,404 a slice. You’ll get a total of 90 minutes to fill up on puddings, cakes, tarts and more for only ¥7,000 on weekdays and ¥8,200 on weekends (¥4,200 for children). If you need a break from all the sugar, don’t worry, there are plenty of savoury foods like roast beef and tamago sandwiches on offer, too.

Reservations are essential and must be made online in advance.

All prices are subject to VAT and a separate 15% service charge.

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.

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 rainbow-lit, 180-metre-long 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.

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. 

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. 

Spanish-born Joan Miró (1893-1983) has long been considered one of the most important artists of the twentieth century; revered for his poetic transformation of nature-derived shapes such as the moon and stars into abstract symbols. In this major retrospective, the various phases of Miró's career are presented together in Japan for the first time. Overseen by the Fundació Joan Miró, based in the artist's birthplace of Barcelona, this exhibition sees masterpieces held in collections across the world brought to Tokyo, to form a comprehensive overview of an artistic practice that encompassed painting, ceramics, sculpture and more.

Post-impressionistic early works, such as the 1919 self-portrait, give way to a resolutely surrealist approach as Miró becomes involved in the artistic current then sweeping Paris, where he spent much of the 1920s and '30s. The subsequent three decades then see the artist develop and hone the singular style with which he is most associated, exemplified here by exhibition highlight 'The Morning Star' (1940) and other selections from his 'Constellations' series. Finally, the show highlights how, even in his final years, Miró continued his lifelong search for new modes of expression.

The exhibition is closed on Mondays (except April 28, May 5) as well as May 7.

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.

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.

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.