Culture

This Week in Japan Mar. 20-26, 2017

Every Monday we serve up our top picks for this week’s events happening in Japan. To list your event, contact the editor of GaijinPot.

By 1 min read

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
More Info

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
More Info

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
More Info

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
More Info

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
More Info

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
More Info

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
More Info
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