From sipping a cold one in Hokkaido to house music on a Friday night to Kyoto’s history illuminated, there’s something for everyone this week in Japan! If you’re doing something cool, leave us a comment or send us an email to have your event listed.
Monday: Big brews
Sapporo Odori Beer Garden
Hokkaido is the birthplace of beer in Japan. Sapporo Beer has been brewed in Sapporo since 1877, so it’s fitting the northern metropolis celebrates summer with the biggest beer garden around. Seating 13,000, the Sapporo Odori Beer Garden is a familiar feature of summer in the city. Under the summer sky, enjoy fine food and cold beer in Odori Park sampling the wares of plazas like the World’s Beer Square and Germany Village.
When & Where
- July 31-Aug 15
- 12-9 p.m.
- Odori Park, Sapporo - Map
- Free
Tuesday: Cross-cultural art explorations
Miya Ando Exhibition
Born in the U.S., Miya Ando traces her family back 16 generations to a clan of renowned Japanese swordsmiths. She grew up partly in the redwood forests of California and partly at a Buddhist temple in Okayama where her grandfather was head priest. Fascinated by the possibilities of metal as an artistic medium, Ando transforms sheets of aluminum and steel into works of abstract art with subtle gradations of color.
When & Where
- Aug 1-17
- 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Shibuya Seibu Art Gallery, Tokyo - Map
- Free
Wednesday: Nostalgic nights
The Carole King Musical
“I first came to Tokyo in 1990 and was amazed by the enthusiasm of the Japanese audiences,” writes influential singer-songwriter, Carole King. “I am very proud to share 'Beautiful' with you. The songs I wrote with Gerry Goffin still touch my heart, and so do the songs of our dear friends Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.” "Beautiful" traces the love story between King and Goffin and Mann and Weil, exploring their competition, friendship and heartbreak as performed by a Japanese cast.
When & Where
- Aug 2-26
- Various
- Imperial Theatre, Tokyo - Map
- ¥4,000-¥13,000
Thursday: Mystical landscape
Kodai-ji Illumination
Historic Kodai-ji temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district undergoes a magical transformation when darkness falls and it assumes an illuminated aspect. The temple is located at the foot of Higashiyama Ryozen mountains in Kyoto and was established in 1606. Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616, the first Tokugawa shogun) financed the construction of the temple, resulting in its magnificent appearance. It’s illuminated in spring, summer and fall.
When & Where
- Aug 3-18
- Sunset-9:30 p.m.
- Kodai-ji Temple, Kyoto - Map
- ¥600
Friday: Bumpin’ beats
Denis Horvat feat. Tri
The latest addition to Osaka’s resurgent club scene, Alzar, presents Croatian-born and Danish-bred Denis Horvat. The young house music producer grew up in the burbs listening to his dad’s vinyl. Today he’s based in Copenhagen and a resident at some of the city’s most prestigious clubs. He will no doubt have Alzar bumping into the wee hours.
When & Where
- Aug 4
- 11 p.m.-5 a.m.
- Alzar, Osaka - Map
- 3,000
Saturday: Mosh me beautiful
Meteo Night
Much of the cream of the Tokyo indie rock crop assembles in this sprawling festival inside one building in the Maruyamacho district of Shibuya. Three landmark venues host acts ranging from well-known skronk-rockers Guitar Wolf, psychobilly monsters Jackie & The Cedrics and master dub manipulator Kodama from Dub Station to artists on the more noisy, performative side, such as Oshiripenpenz.
When & Where
- Aug 5-6
- 1 p.m.~
- O-West/O-Nest/7th Floor, Shibuya, Tokyo - Map
- ¥3,500
Sunday: Tunes ’n’ breezes
World Happiness Festival
Curated by Yellow Magic Orchestra’s Yukihiro Takahashi, this in-town groove-fest presents the sophisticated side of J-rock in a daylong event at seaside Kawai Rink Park. In addition to Takahashi himself, featured artists include veteran ele-pop outfit Denki Groove, elfin producer Towa Tei, singer Hana Sekitori, and others like rock groups Quruli and Kotringo.
When & Where
- Aug 6
- 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Kasai Rinkai Koen, Tokyo - Map
- ¥10,800
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service