From starry nights to smoky clubs to the Buddha’s birthday, 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: Starry Night
Starlight Fantasia
A limited time 3D projection mapping with stars as the theme is underway at the observatory of Osaka’s tallest building, Harukas. Powered by the tech brains at telecom giant NTT, the concept is to become one with the heavens as you are surrounded by the starry sky both within and without the 60th floor deck.
When & Where
- March 27-31
- 6:30-9:40 p.m.
- Abeno Harukas 300, Osaka - Map
- Free
Tuesday: Do that jazz thang
Esperanza Spaulding
Jazz bassist, vocal diva, rock babe... Esperanza Spaulding is all of these. For the past year, it’s the latter that’s been predominant. Spaulding surprised fans last year by introducing her all-electric alter ego on the album "Emily's D+Evolution." She continues to explore permutations of the music in an extensive worldwide tour.
When & Where
- March 28-29
- 6:30 & 9 p.m.
- Blue Note Tokyo - Map
- ¥9,000
Wednesday: Trip the lights fantastico
Sakura Tango Festival in Fukuoka
Six enchanting days of workshops, "milongas" and after parties inspired by the cherry blossom season are on tap at Sakura Tango Festival 2017. The 20th fest takes place from March 29 to April 3 at Acros Fukuoka Event Hall and the festival’s home, Tiempo Hall. Featured maestros from Argentina for this special edition: the exquisite couple, Analia Carreño & Luis Ramirez, and angelic Cinthia Diaz & Bruno.
When & Where
- March 29-April 2
- Various
- Acros Fukuoka - Map
- Various
Thursday: Western-Japanese art fusion
Photo: Adrien Iwanowski, 2009Pierre Alechinsky
Born in Belgium in 1927, Pierre Alechinsky specializes in a unique synthesis of Eastern and Western painting styles. Visiting Japan in 1955, he befriended calligrapher Morita Shire, and was inspired to gravitate away from Western oil painting toward a less restricted style using sumi ink, watercolor and acrylic paint to depict motifs fueled by experience and imagination. This exhibition is Japan's first large-scale retrospective of Alechinsky and also serves as a commemoration of Japan's 150-year friendship with Belgium.
When & Where
- March 30
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- The National Museum of Art, Osaka - Map
- ¥900
Friday: Feel the love
Contact 1 Year Anniversary Part 2
Joaquin "Joe" Claussell is a DJ/producer who needs almost no introduction. A veteran of the early days of New York house and its legendary venues, Loft and Paradise Garage, Claussell went on to form the Body and Soul DJ triumvirate with Krivit and Francois K in the mid-'90s. The night serves to celebrate the first year of Contact, heir to legendary Tokyo clubs Yellow and Air.
When & Where
- March 31
- 10 p.m. to late
- Contact Tokyo - Map
- ¥4,000
Saturday: Remember the Purple One
The New Power Generation Tribute to Prince
Prince’s band through the ‘90s and 2000s is reuniting after performing together at a tribute concert in Minneapolis last October. Members of The New Power Generation, known for their work on 1991’s "Diamonds and Pearls" and 1992’s "Love Symbol" album, will head to Japan for a show for some of the Purple One’s biggest fans.
When & Where
- April 1
- 6 & 9 p.m.
- Billboard Live, Tokyo - Map
- ¥8,500
Sunday: Celebrate the Buddha’s birthday
Ikegami Honmonji Spring Festival
Experience the birthday of the Buddha and celebrate spring at the Ikegami Honmonji temple in Ota Ward, Tokyo. Each year the temple holds a spring festival on the first weekend of April. The oldest five-story pagoda in the Kanto region opens to the public just once a year during the period, and in keeping with the birthday of the Buddha, hydrangea tea is served as viewers take in a flower festival children's parade.
When & Where
- April 2
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Tokyo - Map
- Free
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