This week brings many causes for celebration — the start of winter break, Christmas Day, the Emperor’s birthday — but possibly the best reason is that we won’t have to hear “Last Christmas” or “All I Want For Christmas Is You” for another year. So enjoy that and these fun activities this week in Tokyo. If you’re doing something fun or interesting, be sure to leave us a comment or email us to have your event listed.
Thursday: Wrestle the year to a close
Stardom Year End Climax
Christmas and New Year’s are a great time to watch some pro wrestling. One highlight will be the Stardom main event with Shirai defending her title against Mayu Iwatani.
When & Where
- Thu, Dec. 22
- 6:30 p.m.
- Korakuen Hall, 1-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo
- Tickets start at ¥3,000
Friday: Celebrate with the Emperor
Imperial Palace Opening
Friday is a holiday celebrating the Emperor’s birthday and the palace grounds will be open to the general public — one of the few times during the year people can see it.
When & Where
- Fri, Dec. 23
- 9:30 a.m.-11:20 a.m.
- Nijubashi Bridge, Imperial Palace, Chiyoda-ku
- Free
Saturday: Enjoy a nostalgic Christmas dinner
Christmas Dinner at the Pink Cow
If you’d like a home-cooked Christmas dinner with a few dozen of your friends and family in the Tokyo expat community, look no further than the Pink Cow. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Night it will be serving up turkey, mac n’ cheese, sweet potatoes and more.
When & Where
- Sat Dec. 24-Sun Dec. 25
- 7 p.m.
- The Pink Cow, Tokyo Roi Building B1F, 5-5-1 Roppongi, Minato
- ¥5,500 w/ one drink
Sunday: Rock out with some local bands
Total Feedback feat. Broken Little Sister
Shoegaze is the gift that keeps on giving. Christmas night check out Total Feedback, Koenji High's celebration of the noisy side of Japanese rock. See half-a-dozen great shoegaze bands for one low price, including Broken Little Sister, Sugardrop and more.
When & Where
- Sun Dec. 25
- 4:30 p.m.
- Koenji High, 4-30-1 Koenji-Minami, Suginami
- ¥2,000 advance / ¥2,500 door
Ongoing: See a night aquarium or the best movies of the year
Night Wonder Aquarium
Night Wonder Aquarium is part illumination, part installation art and all amazing. The display interacts with the input of viewers and the movement of fish to create unique experiences nightly. You have until Christmas Day to see it.
When & Where
- Until Sun, Dec. 25
- 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
- Enoshima Aquarium, 2-19-1 Katase Kaigan, Fujisawa, Kanagawa
- ¥2,100 (student discounts available)
Cinema Curtain Call 2016
The art-house cinema Shin-Bungeiza will be hosting screenings all week of the best films to come to Japan in 2016. From dystopian romantic comedy "The Lobster" to dystopian sci-fi drama "High-Ruse" to dystopian sci-fi thriller "Self/Less," 2016 was quite a year.
When & Where
- Until Thu, Dec. 29
- Various
- Shin Bungeiza Theater, Maruhan Ikebukuro Bldg. 3F, Higashi 1-43-5, Toshima
- ¥1,300 (student and senior discounts available)
