This week brings many causes for celebration—the start of winter break, Christmas Day, the Emperor’s birthday—but possibly the best reason is that we won’t have to hear “Last Christmas” or “All I Want For Christmas…” for another year. Enjoy that, and these fun activities This Week In Tokyo. If you’re doing something fun or interesting, be sure to leave us a comment or email us to have your event listed.
Sake Tasting for Beginners
Ever wonder how many different types of sake there are and what they taste like?
Why don't you challenge yourself by swapping the whiskey or beers you normally drink with a taste of Japanese sake. You'll get to try 5 different kinds of sake with comments from our very own sake expert.
When & Where
- Saturday, Dec. 26th
- 17:00 - 19:00
- pin Show Map OnJapan CAFÉ 6-8-1 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
- ¥4000
Cinema Curtain Call 2015
Missed seeing some of the best movies of the year in theaters? You’ll get one more chance this week at Shin-Bungeiza. The art-house cinema will be hosting screenings all week of the best films to come to Japan in 2015, from critically acclaimed drama The Imitation Game to political-slasher The Purge: Anarchy.
When & Where
- Until Dec. 28th
- Varies
- Shin Bungeiza Theater, Maruhan Ikebukuro Bldg. 3F, Higashi 1-43-5, Toshima
- ¥1300, student and senior discounts available
Couch Surfing International Party
The Couch Surfing community is full of free-spirited, fun-loving travelers who believe in opening their homes to others. Share some drinks, sing some karaoke, and play some pub games with them Tuesday night and Paddy’s Junction.
When & Where
- Tuesday, Dec. 22nd
- 20:00
- Paddy's Junction, Sensho Bldg. Ground Floor, 2-13-16 Shinjuku
- Free
Imperial Palace Opening
If the return of Princess Leia has you longing for the days of monarchy, stop by the Imperial Palace this Wednesday. The day will be a holiday celebrating the emperor’s birthday, and the palace grounds will be open.
When & Where
- Wednesday, Dec. 23rd
- 09:30 - 11:20
- Nijubashi Bridge, Imperial Palace, Chiyoda-ku
- Free
STARDOM Year End Climax
Christmas/New Year’s are a great time to watch some pro wrestling. Venues like Shinjuku FACE, Shin-Kiba 1st Ring, and Korakuen Hall will be busy nearly every day with a variety of great shows. One highlight will be this Wednesday’s STARDOM show. The main event will see Meiko Satomura defend her title against former champion Io Shirai, and the show will also feature the final match of Act Yasukawa—a wrestler with such an intriguing life story that it was made into a two part documentary.
When & Where
- Wednesday, Dec. 23rd
- 17:00 open, 18:00 start
- Korakuen Hall, 1-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo
- Tickets start at ¥3000
Christmas Dinner at the Pink Cow
If you’d like a home-cooked Christmas Dinner with a few dozen of your friends and family in the Tokyo expat community, look no further than the Pink Cow. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Night they’ll be serving up Turkey, Mac n’ Cheese, sweet potatoes, and much more down home goodness.
When & Where
- Thursday, Dec. 24th and Friday, Dec. 25th
- 19:00
- The Pink Cow, Tokyo Roi Building B1F, 5-5-1 Roppongi, Minato
- ¥5500 w/ one drink
Aikido Class in English
It’s never too early to begin shedding that holiday weight, and you can start with some free Aikido training. Aikido is a modern martial art built around harmony, unity, and preservation of life. You can begin training with a month of free classes at Higashi Itabashi gym.
When & Where
- Saturday, Dec. 26th
- 13:00 - 15:00
- Higashi Itabashi Gymnasium, 1-10-5 Kaga, Itabashi-ku
- Free for 1st month + ¥320 facility fee
napaJ at GAMUSO
napaJ is a semi-regular event that brings some of Tokyo’s best independent bands and underground DJs together at Asagaya’s GAMUSO. Vaiwatt will be rocking while yours truly will be DJing. See us this Saturday for just 1000 yen.
When & Where
- Saturday, Dec. 26th
- 19:00
- GAMUSO, 2-12-5 Asagayakita, Suginami
- ¥1000 advance, ¥1500 door
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination
Tokyo Dome City’s illumination prides itself on being Tokyo’s most romantic light show, hence why it’s running until Valentine’s Day. Besides thousands of lights and the occasional live show, there’s a special Microsoft Kinect display that lets you control the illumination with your body.
When & Where
- Until February 14th
- 16:00 - 25:00
- Tokyo Dome City, 1-33 Hongo, Bunkyo
- Free
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