From outdoor movie screenings to exhibitions ending during Silver Week, here are 10 recommended places to visit if you’re spending this long weekend in Tokyo!
Six films will be screened on a rotating basis, including *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again*, the romantic comedy classic *Notting Hill*, and *Call Me by Your Name*, which depicts the beautiful scenery of northern Italy and a pure love story.On Sunday, September 20, and Monday, September 21 (a national holiday), a “Prologue Session” will be held before each screening. Each day will feature a different DJ set or live performance tailored to the theme, historical context, and genre of that day’s film.
At the performances starting at 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on this day , you can enjoy ballet accompanied by live performances of works such as Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” suite. Concerts have been held at venues around the world, featuring not only classical music but also jazz, soul, blues, and the latest pop hits, garnering acclaim as a unique experience that even those unfamiliar with classical music can enjoy.
An event recreating the atmosphere of “Oktoberfest,” one of the world’s largest beer festivals, will be held at two venues. The venue in front of Shiba Park and Onarimon Station will be open from Friday, September 11, through Wednesday, September 23 (a national holiday), while the event at Urban Dock LaLaport Toyosu will run from Friday, September 18, through Monday, October 12 (a national holiday).
Now in its fifth year, this year’s theme is “Play.” In addition to shops from the Daikanyama Merchants’ Association and stores and food trucks engaged in sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives, the event will also feature hands-on workshops brimming with a playful spirit. On Saturday, September 19, a small fireworks display will be held, limited to 20–30 groups per session, for a total of 320 groups.
A new kind of community-participatory art festival themed around the “moon” is being held again this year, with facilities and shops around Shimokitazawa Station joining forces to create a lively atmosphere. In addition to the giant “moon” artwork—the festival’s symbolic centerpiece—and other pieces adorning the streets, the immersive theater “Nekomachi” will also make a comeback.
For four days only, the main building will be illuminated after sunset, and opening hours will be extended until 8:00 PM. In addition, the “Main Entrance Hall”—which is normally off-limits to the public — will be open for a special viewing, and a special exhibition will be held inside the main building. A “Garden Café” and “Music Stage” are also scheduled to be set up in the front garden, where visitors can relax while enjoying music and food and drinks against the backdrop of the illuminated historic building.
The centerpiece is the sound installation *KAZE — body* by artist Ray Kunimoto (on view September 4–6 and 18–22). Boats carrying “sound sculptures” that produce sound when moved by the wind will travel up and down the Meguro River, creating an experience that allows visitors to “listen” to the city and nature, accompanied by riverside sounds, video screenings, and live performances.
Under the supervision of Hiroshi Ishiguro, a leading authority in robotics and android research , “The Future of Life”—which captivated many visitors at the World Expo — is being presented as “The Future of Life+ , ” with content restructured specifically for the MoN Takanawa venue. A new scenario has also been added, inviting visitors to confront “choices for the future of life.”
Since time immemorial, humanity has recognized the potential in the “spirals” found in the natural world and used them to develop society and civilization. The journey of transforming the laws of the Earth into human wisdom is the very “story of evolution” itself.From the origins of the universe as revealed by cutting-edge physics, to the ever-renewing cycle of resources, skills and festivals passed down across generations, and even everyday household chores and money—this exhibition brings together stories of “spirals” from all eras and corners of the world.
Featuring approximately 130 works—including masterpieces by Manet, Van Gogh, Lautrec, and Picasso, as well as *Madeleine* by Casas, one of Barcelona’s most prized treasures—this exhibition showcases the far-reaching influence of art born in cafés. On July 25 and September 19–23 (Wednesday, a national holiday), the museum will be open until 8:00 p.m . On these dates only, special presentations will be held, and you can also enjoy stories about cafés geared toward a slightly more mature audience.
