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Culture

This Week in Japan Oct. 23-29, 2017

Every week we post our picks for upcoming events in Japan.

By 1 min read

From Beck concerts to sake tastings to political theater, 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 here.

Monday: I’m a loser baby

Beck

The world’s most successful loser is back in Japan for his first headlining tour in eight years. Beck is in the country to promote his new album "Colors." Showing the artist’s upbeat side, "Colors" is packed with classic Beck-isms and a contemporary approach partly credited to prolific pop producer Greg Kurstin (responsible for hits including Sia’s “Chandelier,” Ellie Goulding’s “Burn” and Adele’s “Hello”).

When & Where
Oct 23
6:20 p.m.
Nippon Budokan, Tokyo - Map
¥12,000
More Info

Tuesday: Museum spreads wings

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MOT Satellite 2017 Fall-Connecting Scapes

With the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) currently closed for renovation, this event held in cooperation with local communities, cafés and other venues brings the best of art in the form of installations, performances, talk events, workshops and exhibitions to the shitamachi Kiyosumi-shirakawa neighborhood, the home of the MOT, as well as "satellite" exhibitions and programs in Ueno.

When & Where
Oct 24-Nov 12
Various
Various locations in Kiyosumi-shirakawa, Arts & Science LAB, and Tokyo University of the Arts Ueno Campus - Map
Free
More Info

Wednesday: Experimental jams

Snorlaxxx

Hailing from Beaumont, Texas, this experimental jam band is making its debut Big in Japan tour of live houses across the nation. All synthesizers, guitar pedals and drums, they have been described by "High Street Times" as follows: “Shrouded in a cloak of synthesizers, reverbed samples, guitar and drums, Snorlaxxx has a sound in a very smokey, almost subterranean league of its own."

When & Where
Oct 25
6:30 p.m.
Jammin’, Nagoya - Map
¥2,500
More Info

Thursday: Drinks ’n’ sounds

Music & Sake

Japan’s traditional tipple is accompanied by chill sounds courtesy of two DJs in this new event. Five types of sake from Kyushu are on offer including Sentoku Shuzô (Nobeoka Miyazaki) and Takahashi Shôten (Yame Fukuoka) along with three varieties of shochu. Music is provided by DJs Misachi and Ambiente. Foreign participants get six glasses of sake and 10 tapas-type dishes for ¥2,160.

When & Where
Oct 26
7-9:30 p.m.
Aoyuzu Ebisu, Tokyo - Map
Non-Japanese: ¥2,160; Women: ¥3,240; Men: ¥4,320
More Info

Friday: Get political

Palestine, Year Zero

Fresh from its acclaimed premiere last year, “Palestine, Year Zero” comes to the capital as part of Festival/Tokyo. Israeli actor and human rights activist Einat Weizman’s play is set in the office of a Palestinian real estate appraiser dealing with homes destroyed by the Israeli armed forces. On his desk are boxes that he empties one by one. We watch as he goes from house to house, writing reports on the damage. These at times humorous scenes are all based on actual incidents. Not surprisingly, the play caused considerable controversy when it was first staged at Acco Festival of Alternative Israeli Theatre.

When & Where
Oct 27-29
Various
Owlspot Theater, Ikebukuro, Tokyo - Map
¥4,500
More Info

Saturday: Scary monsters…

Halloween Rampage #10

Osaka’s notorious Halloween Rampage celebrates a decade by taking over the indoor/outdoor caverns of Rooftop OO and the dungeons of Alzar. Organizers promise a creepy collection of cobwebbed corners filled with special Vampire-y VIP booths allowing all sorts of things to go bump in the night. Creative projection mapping group Cosmiclab provides the visuals and a range of sounds from R&B to drum ’n’ bass, dubstep and techno will set the mood. And... ¥50,000 in cash will be given away to some lucky costumed customers.

When & Where
Oct 28
7 p.m.
Rooftop OO & Alzar, Osaka - Map
¥3,000
More Info

Sunday: And super creeps

Hakata Halloween Costume Parade 2017

The Halloween tide now reaches across the archipelago. For the last nine years, revelers in costumes both fanciful and fearful have paraded from Hakata Riverain to Canal City in Fukuoka. Hundreds are expected and all participants are awarded a small souvenir gift.The best dressers get big prizes valued up to ¥150,000. People interested in participating should register on the official website, open to the first 500 applicants.

When & Where
Oct 28
2 p.m.
Hakata Riverain, Fukuoka - Map
Free
More Info

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