From drift ice viewing to sake tastings, there’s something for everyone this week in Japan. If you’re planning or organizing something cool, send us an email to have your event listed here.
Monday: Winter sightseeing (Hokkaido)
Drift ice tours on the Garinko-go
Drift ice season is underway on the Okhotsk Sea off Monbetsu, Hokkaido Prefecture. View it aboard the sturdy Garinko-go icebreaker ship, which takes visitors out to see some of the world’s most southerly floating ice each year until March 31. The vessel departs from Mombetsu, which can be accessed via Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport and a 12-minute ride on a shuttle bus. If you're lucky, you might even see animals that come from seas of the far north including Steller’s sea eagles and spotted seals.
When & Where
- Feb 26-March 31
- Various
- 1 Kaiyokoen, Monbetsu-shi, Hokkaido - Map
- ¥3,000
Tuesday: Heavy metal (Hiroshima)
Arch Enemy
Time passes, the world changes, but some things remain constant. Heavy metal has endured for more than four decades and few bands embody the intensity of the genre with more dazzling aplomb than Arch Enemy. Formed in Sweden in the mid-90s by former Carcass/Carnage guitarist Michael Amott, this most explosive of modern metal bands is back in always-welcoming Japan to tour its new "Will To Power," which they threaten even has a ballad amongst its searing metal opuses.
When & Where
- Feb 27
- 7 p.m.
- Hiroshima Club Quattro - Map
- ¥7,500
Wednesday: Art endeavors (Tokyo)
Photo: Image: Nara’s studio, 2007 photo: Yoshitomo NaraYoshitomo Nara "Drawings: 1988-2018"
Japan’s world-renowned depicter of mysteriously angry children, contemporary artist Yoshitomo Nara is the subject of a drawing exhibition. Nara’s work is often mistakenly associated with Japan’s “kawaii” culture, but in fact the artist intends not to provoke sighs over the cuteness of his characters, but an instant sense of empathy. In the artist’s own words, “From when I was a student up to the present, contemplating the relationship between drawing and myself, there are pieces that capture my feelings and thoughts at a given time or momentary ideas I’ve had."
When & Where
- Feb 28-March 8
- 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Kaikai Kiki Gallery, Tokyo - Map
- Free
Thursday: Become an animal (Tokyo)
Move into the wild life
A new show at the futuristic Miraikan science museum allows visitors to “become” different animals. This exhibit is a bold new effort to let visitors experience the unique survival secrets of creatures by actually “becoming” one themselves. Visitors will discover how humans can sustain a harmonious relationship with other living creatures by experiencing life from their perspective — even that of a dinosaur.
When & Where
- Feb 22
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Miraikan, Tokyo - Map
- ¥1,900
Friday: Stuff yourself (Yokohama)
Pan no Fes (Bread Fest)
Over three days, Yokohama's Red Brick Warehouse plays host to some 80 bakeries from across the nation. Gone are the days when bread in Japan meant soul-crushing loaves of tasteless white sponge. Japan’s bakers have put in the hard work of mastering their craft, and now produce some of the world’s finest loaves. Pan no Fes (Bread Fest) attracted some 120,000 visitors last year, and as citizens’ taste for bread grows, expect things to be busy.
When & Where
- March 2-4
- 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse - Map
- ¥400
Saturday: Teutonic beats (Tokyo)
Cocoon Tokyo at Womb feat. Sven Vath
At only 53, Sven Vath has an astonishing 35 years as a DJ. Even more astonishing is that the German has managed to remain relevant and at the top of techno for most of that time. Europe’s electronic dance music revolution began in the early 80s, and Vath was at its forefront, spinning for the Omen Club and many other new venues and events that eventually gave birth to the Cocoon parties and a recording career. Now resident at Ibiza for two decades, Vath also tours Cocoon to Tokyo, usually appearing at Womb where he’s guaranteed good treatment and a rapt audience.
When & Where
- March 3
- 11 p.m.-4:30 a.m.
- Womb, Tokyo - Map
- ¥3,000
Sunday: Sake time (Fukuoka)
Suginoya Sakagura Biraki
A wonderfully atmospheric, 14-year-old sake brewery in the middle of a rural district on the western edge of Fukuoka where the water is clear, Suginoya opens barrels to the public this month. Visitors can sample their wonderful sake and award-winning beer. After getting soused, you can shop for freshly brewed sake and beer as well as original liqueurs, grilled oysters and foods extending to their sake lees bagels from their onsite bakery.
When & Where
- March 4
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 1442 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka - Map
- Free
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