From rhinos to Indian art, from punk rock to nighttime sakura blossoms, there’s something for everyone across the archipelago. If you’re doing something cool, leave us a comment or send us an email to have your event listed.
Monday: Nighttime menagerie
Easter Night Zoo
What are the nocturnal habits of animals indigenous to the African savannah? Find out at Tennoji Zoo where for the second year running management has put together a festive, Easter-themed nighttime illumination program. Founded in 1915, Tennoji Zoo is one of Japan’s oldest, boasting about 1,000 animals of 230 different types including hippos, rhinos and an African carnivore area.
When & Where
- March 20
- Until 8 p.m.
- Tennoji Zoo, Osaka - Map
- ¥500
Tuesday: Arts of the subcontinent
N.S. Harsha: Charming Journey
Leading Indian artist N.S. Harsha is as much community activist as painter. His work reflects the daily experiences of his Mysuru in southern India, but he also hosts large-scale participatory art projects that engage with broader issues of political, cultural and economic globalization. This show is one in a continuing series at the Mori showcasing mid-career artists from Asia.
When & Where
- March 21
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Mori Art Museum, Tokyo - Map
- ¥1.800
Wednesday: Immerse yourself in visual electronica
Tanuki Project
Montreal-based "alternative electronic visual band" Tanuki Project bring their mesmerizing vocals and hypnotic synth-bass lines to a series of venues across Japan. French-born Legyl and Nady settled down in creative Montreal in 2007, debuting with "Playground for Everyone" in 2010. Their newest, "Race," is a Caribbean-infused culture clash and the fruit of a collaboration with singer Mic Dainjah and the black novels writer André Marois.
When & Where
- March 22
- 7 p.m.
- Moon Romantic, Tokyo - Map
- ￥3,000
Thursday: Get your hanami on
Midtown Blossom 2017
If you find yourself in Roppongi on a Thursday evening, you could do worse than take in the "yosakura" (nighttime cherry blossoms) at Midtown’s park. From 5 p.m., a seasonal pop-up Martini Lounge offers food and beverage options and a seated nighttime illumination display of the cherry trees for just 150 early-arriving guests.
When & Where
- March 23
- 5 p.m.
- Tokyo Midtown - Map
- Free
Friday: Be artsy
Art Fair Tokyo
The 12th edition of this sprawling art expo once again takes over the soaring Tokyo International Forum. 150 galleries jostle to catch the attention of deep-pocketed collectors, but just browsing offers a good overview of Japan’s contemporary art scene. Leading galleries like Mizuma will be on hand.
When & Where
- March 24
- 1 p.m.
- Tokyo International Forum - Map
- ¥1,800
Saturday: Punk yourself
Punkspring 2017 Final
Japan’s premier punk festival calls it quits in proper nostalgic fashion, with a lineup of hoary veterans that spurred the punk boom here in the '80s and '90s. The lineup leans heavily toward SoCal melocore and ska-punk bands like Bad Religion and Offspring, which were always more popular in Japan than aggressive strains of punk.
When & Where
- March 25
- 11:30 a.m.
- Kobe World - Map
- ￥10,800
Sunday: Do cherry blossoms with geisha
Kinryu Sakura no Tsudo
The Kinryu Sakura teahouse is offering a special series of, by geisha standards, reasonably priced banquets to celebrate the cherry blossom viewing season. The teahouse has a wonderful view over a river lined with sakura trees and is a very old and traditional one. Australian-born geisha Sayuki will be on hand to provide English guidance.
When & Where
- March 26
- Noon-2pm
- Kappou Kinryu, Tokyo - Map
- ¥17,000
