From sumo wrestling to jazz to ritual fire burnings, there’s something for everyone across the archipelago this week. If you’re doing something cool, leave us a comment or send us an email to have your event listed.
Monday: Behemoths clash
Sumo Grand Tournament
The era of four yokozuna grand champions, including Kisenato — the just-promoted and first Japan-born yokozuna in two decades — officially got underway yesterday as the spring tournament opened in Osaka. But there’s still two weeks to see whether the native son can prevail against his three Mongolian rivals.
When & Where
- March 13-26
- 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Edion Arena, Osaka (Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium) - Map
- ¥4,600-¥13,400
Tuesday: Immerse yourself in the Edo era
Nihonbashi-Kayabacho Super Ukiyo-e Exhibition
Japan’s renowned ukiyo-e prints of the Edo era weren’t merely artworks, but the TMZ.com of the age. By animating digitized images from the Spaulding Collection — dubbed the most magnificent ukiyo-e collection in the world — at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this exhibition creates an immersive experience in which viewers step back in time to the age of samurai and geisha.
When & Where
- March 14-May 21
- 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Kayabacho-Itchome Heiwa Bldg, Tokyo - Map
- ¥1.600
Wednesday: Get your folk on
James Vincent McMorrow
The Irish singer-songwriter debuts in Japan riding high on a number one album in his native country. "We Move" saw McMorrow edging in a more electrified, R&B direction. Outside his homeland, he’s best known for his cover of the Chris Isaak song "Wicked Game,” used in the first full-length trailer for the sixth season of HBO’s hit series "Game of Thrones."
When & Where
- Mar. 15
- 7:30 p.m.
- Shibuya WWW - Map
- ￥5,500
Thursday: Slurp a bowl with the gals
Ramen Girls Festival '17
Spring means it’s, umm, ramen time? Anyway, the idea of this festival is to celebrate the noodle’s newest demographic — women. Over four days Yokohama’s pleasingly atmospheric Red Brick Warehouse comes alive with offerings from some of the nation’s most renowned ramen slingers including Fukuoka’s Kurumera and Kyoto’s Seaburanokami
When & Where
- Mar. 16-20
- 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse - Map
- Free
Friday: Jazz out
The Chick Corea Elektric Band
Fusion keyboardist Chick Corea convenes his 1980s Elektric Band to revisit some of their pioneering work, which along with that of his '70s group Return to Forever comprises some of the defining moments of jazz-rock. The tour kicks off in Tokyo with Corea accompanied by the incomparable John Patitucci (bass), Dave Weckl (drums), Eric Marienthal (saxes) and Frank Gambale (guitar).
When & Where
- Mar. 17
- 6:30 & 9 p.m.
- Blue Note Tokyo, 5-32-5 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo - Map
- ¥13,800
Saturday: Unleash your inner pyromaniac
Aso Fire Festival
Kyushu’s Mt. Aso region celebrates the return of spring with a series of fire festivals. Among these are the "daihimonjiyaki," or giant letter burning, which happened last Saturday, and the "hifuri shinji" fire-swinging festival, which takes place at Aso Shrine on the third Saturday in March. Straw is set ablaze and whipped in circles in prayers for a bountiful harvest. Viewers are welcome to participate!
When & Where
- Mar. 18
- After dusk
- Wide area of Aso-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu - Map
- Free
Sunday: Prep for hanami
Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Tokyo National Museum
Cherry Blossom Viewing at the Tokyo National Museum is an annual event that coincides with the spring time opening of the Museum Garden. Numerous artworks featuring cherry blossoms are on display in the Japanese Gallery (Honkan). A host of events take up hanami including gallery talks, haiku poetry gatherings and concerts.
When & Where
- Mar. 19-May 7
- 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tokyo National Museum - Map
- ¥620
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