Golden Week is just around the corner and there’s already tons of exciting things to do and see. Here’s our picks of the best way to start your holiday off. If you’re doing something fun or interesting this Golden Week, be sure to leave us a comment or email us to have your event listed.
Yokohama Frühlingsfest
- Date: Friday, April 24 to Wednesday, May 6
- Time: 11:00 – 21:30
- Location: Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
- Admission: Free
Celebrate spring, German style! Frühlingsfest gives you the chance to stuff yourself on kraut and fine German sausage to your heart’s content. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse will be filled with German food and special attractions, including live music. Best of all, there’s a 30 meter long beer counter featuring fifty authentic brews.
Meiji Shrine Grand Spring Festival
- Date: Wednesday, April 29 to Sunday, May 3
- Time: Varies
- Location: Meiji Shrine, 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya
- Admission: ¥500
If you’d rather celebrate spring the Japanese way, make your way to the iconic Meiji Shrine. You will be able to witness several important Shinto ceremonies including sacred dances and prayer offerings. There will also be an impressive line-up of traditional Japanese performing arts including Bugaku (ancient imperial court music), Hogaku and Hobu (classical Japanese dance), as well as Noh and Kyogen (classical Japanese theater).
Lucien Clergue Photo Exhibition
- Date: Wednesday, April 29 to Sunday, May 24
- Time: 11:00 – 19:00
- Location: Ricoh Image Gallery Ginza, San-ai Dream Center 8F 5-7-2 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo
- Admission: ¥510
Lucien Clergue passed away last November, but the French photographer’s beautiful and haunting work lives on. Clergue examined life and death with photographs of carrion, bullfights, and, most famously, nude bodies. Come to this gallery and see why Pablo Picasso himself was a fan of Lucien Clergue.
La Folle Journee au Japan
- Date: Saturday, May 2 to Monday, May 4
- Time: 09:30 – 23:00
- Location: Tokyo International Forum, 3 Chome-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
- Admission: ¥700 – ¥3000, all day passes start at ¥8000
Really looking to cut loose during Golden Week? How about some classical music? La Folle Journée (literally “The Crazy Day”) is a festival that started in 1995 in France. Its goal is to make classical music more accessible by offering a chance to see the world’s best classical musicians at affordable prices. This year is the 11th year of the La Folle Journee au Japan. Featured artists include Concerto Budapest, The Keller Quartet, and pianist Akira Wakabayashi.
All Night John Carpenter Marathon
- Date: Saturday, May 2nd
- Time: 22:45 – 05:40
- Location: Shin Bungeiza Theater, Maruhan-Ikebukuro Bldg 3F, 1-43-5 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima
- Admission: ¥2100 Advance, ¥2300 Same day
Tokyo art-house and revival cinema Shin Bungeiza will be hosting an all-night marathon of John Carpenter’s most entertaining, thought-provoking, and terrifying films. Enjoy the pointed political commentary of They Live as well the all-encompassing fear of Prince of Darkness, on the big screen. If you scare easily, bring a friend.
The Gamuso Comedy Show
- Date: Friday, May 1
- Time: 19:00
- Location: Gamuso Asagaya, Takuei Building 2F-3F, Asagaya-kita 2-12-5, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
- Admission: Free
Laughs are free at the Gamuso Comedy Show! This Friday, five of Tokyo’s best English-speaking comedians will put on a show of standup, improv, and music that will surely send you into Golden Week with a smile. Admission is free. You can help keep the lights on by ordering a drink or the special Comedy Quiche.
Japan Jam Beach 2015
- Date: Sunday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 5
- Time: 11:00 – 21:00
- Location: Makuhari Beach Stage, . 2-116 Hibino, Mihama-ku, Chiba
- Admission: 1 day ¥7400, 2 days ¥13,000, 3 days ¥18,000
Get an early start on the summer music festival scene with Japan Jam Beach 2015. While other fests focus on foreign acts, this year’s JJB brings Japan’s best native modern rock bands together. Spend a few days on the beach with college radio mainstays like [Alexandros], Arukara, and Asian Kung Fu Generation.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service