What's On in Tokyo & Kyoto

A Select Guide to What's Happening in the Current and Ancient Capitals: Events--Updated January 19, 2010

Tokyo Art Exhibits Tokyo Music Tokyo Gay & Lesbian Tokyo Sports Kyoto Exhibits Kyoto Music Kyoto Film Kyoto Traditional Culture Kyoto Sports List Your Event Kyoto Shop

Tokyo Art What's On

Discounts with the Tokyo Grutt Pass

Bridgestone Museum of Art Modern Japanese Art and Europe, January 26, 2010 - April 11, 2010
Tue - Sat 10am-8pm (till 6pm Sat & public holidays) 800 yen for adults. Discount coupon.
In Kyobashi, 5 mins walk east of Tokyo Station.

The Bunkamura Museum of Art Victorian Jewelry: the English Life of Luxury January 2 - February 21, 2010. 10am-7pm (till 9pm Fri & Sat) 1,400 yen for adults.
In Shibuya. B1 floor of Bunkamura.

Edo-Tokyo Museum The Legacy of Genghis Khan and the Magnificent Mongol Empire February 2 - April 11, 2010 9.30am - 5.30pm (till 7.30pm Sat) Closed Mondays. 1,300 yen for adults. In Taito Ward. 03 3626 9974.

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art Yang Fudong: the General's Smile Video installation by the Chinese film artist December 19, 2009 - March 28, 2010 11am - 5pm (Wed. 11am - 8pm, except when Wednesday is a public holiday: 11am - 5pm). Closed Mondays, except when Monday is a public holiday (in which case closed Tuesday). Near Shinagawa Station. 03 3445 0651. 1,000 yen for adults.

Idemitsu Museum of Arts The Elegance of Vessels: Masterpieces of Japanese Ceramics
January 9 (Sat) - March 22 (Mon), 2010 10am - 5 pm (Fri. 10am - 7pm). Closed Mondays. 1,000 yen for adults. On the 9th floor of the Teigeki Building in Marunouchi. 03 5777 8600 (Hello Dial General Information).

Matsuoka Museum of Art Auspicious Vessels: Auspicious Symbols Found on Chinese Porcelain January 5 - April 18, 2010
Shirokanedai, Tokyo, 10am - 5pm (Closed Tuesdays). 03 3822 1111. 800 yen for adults.

Mori Art Museum Medicine and Art: Imagining a Future for Life and Love - Leonardo Da Vinci, Okyo, Damien Hirst "the most evocative creator in contemporary China" November 28, 2009 - February 28 2010
Roppongi Hills, Mori Tower 53F, 10am - 10pm (10am - 5pm on Tuesdays). 03 5777 8600. 1,500 yen for adults.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo Rebecca Horn: Rebellion in Silence; Dialogue between Raven and Whale, October 31, 2009 - February 14, 2010 10am - 6pm. Closed Mondays except September 21 & 28. 1,200 yen for adults.
03 3443 0201

Nadiff Toshio Shibata: A View for Gray Photography January 22 - February 28, 2010 03 3443 0201, in Omotesando (A2 exit of the Omotesando subway), 03-3403-8814. Free.

National Art Center, Tokyo
DOMANI: The Art of Tomorrow 2009: The Achievements of the Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists provided by the Agency for Cultural Affairs December 12, 2009 - January 24, 2010 1,000 yen for adults
10am - 6pm (Fri till 8pm). Closed Tuesdays. 03 6812 9900. In Roppongi (Exit 6 of the Nogizaka subway station (less than 1 min walk), exit 7 of Roppongi Station (5 min)).

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
William Kentridge What We See & What We Know January 2 - February 14, 2010 Special Exhibition Gallery (1F). 850 yen for adults.
Takebashi Subway Station, Line, exit 1B, open 10am - 5pm, (till 8pm Fridays). Closed Mondays (except September 21). 03 5777 8600.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo: Crafts Gallery
The Power of Decoration ―A Viewpoint on Contemporary Kôgei (Studio Crafts) November 14, 2009 - January 31 2010 500 yen

03 5777 8600. Closed Mondays. (Located 300m west of the National Museum of Modern Art)

National Museum of Western Art: Ueno Park
Exhibition of Frank Brangwyn In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the National Museum of Western Art 23 February – 30 May 2010
420 yen for adults. 9.30am -5.30pm, Fridays 9:30am - 8:30pm, Closed Mondays. 03 5777 8600. 1,500 yen for adults.

National Museum of Nature and Science Ueno Park, 9am-5pm, Fridays 9am-8pm, closed Mondays. 03 5777 8600. 500 yen (300 yen for astronomical night viewing, or for ordinary group entry). Free for pupils up to and including senior high school.
Permanent exhibitions include:
-Animals of the Earth: The Endurance of Mammals and Birds
-"Woodland Wonder" Exploratory Space
-Progress in Science and Technology: Human Design and Creativity
-"Hands-on Experiments" Exploratory Space
-Biodiversity: "We are All Part of the Same Ecosystem"
-Solving the Mysteries of the Dinosaurs
-The Evolution of Life: "From the Earth' s Origin through to the Birth of Humans"
-The Natural World: "The Universe, Matter, and the Laws of Physics"
-"Behind the Scenes at the National Science Museum": Collecting and Studying Samples and Making Them Available to the Public.
9am -5pm, Fridays 9am - 8pm. Closed Mondays.

Ota Memorial Museum of Art The Hues of Old Edo January 3 - February 24, 2010. Closed: November 9, 16, 24
10:30a.m. - 5:30p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.). Closed Mondays.
Jingumae. 03 3403 0880. 1,000 yen for adults.

SCAI The Bathhouse Tomoaki Suzuki Exhibition January 22 - February 20, 2010
Tue - Sat, noon - 7pm. Closed Sun., Mon. & public hols. Nippori. 03 3821 1144. Admission free.

Setagaya Art Museum Uchii Shozo Exhibition: His Thought and Architecture December 12, 2009 - February 28, 2010 10am-6pm. Last admission 5.30pm. Closed Mondays (except when Monday is a national holiday, when it closes the next day). 03 3415 6011. 1,000 yen for adults.

Sompo Japan Museum of Art Seiji Togo Memoriai Sompo Japan Museum of Art Grand Prix "Masayoshi Aigasa" January 9th (Sat.) to February 21st (Sun.), 2010 (closed Mondays)
West Shinjuku. Click here for map (then scroll down). 03 5777 8600. 500 yen for adults. Open 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm Fri. Entry till 30 mins before closing time. Closed Mondays.

Suntory Museum of Art Arts for Japanese Hospitality from the Suntory Museum of Art Collection 27 January - 14 March, 2010 1,000 yen for adults.
Open Sundays, Mondays and National Holidays 10am-6pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am-8pm. Last entrance 30 minutes before closing time. Closed every Tuesday. In Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi.

SuperDeluxe Monthly schedule Near Roppongi Hills. 03 5412 0515.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (click on "English Version"): In Ueno. Galleria Borghese January 16 - April 4, 2010, 1,400 yen for adults
9am - 5pm. Closed Mondays.
Tel. 03 3823 6921.

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
The Macchiaioli, Italian Masters of Realism, January 16 - April 14, 2010
10am - 6pm. Closed 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Last entry 30 mins before closing time. More info. Tel. 03 3443 3228. 1,000 yen for adults.

The Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park, "Hyokeikan" Gallery
Exhibition schedule 9.30-5.00pm (until 8pm Fri, until 6pm Sat/Sun)
Entry until 30 min before closing time. Closed Mondays. 03 5159 5874. In Ueno.

The Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park, "Heiseikan" Gallery
Hasegawa Tohaku: 400th Memorial Retrospective
February 23 - March 22, 2010 9.30 - 5.00pm (until 8pm Fri, until 6pm Sat/Sun)
Entry until 30 min before closing time. Closed Mondays. 1,500 yen for adults. 03 5159 5874. In Ueno.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography Ihee Kimura& Henri Cartier-Bresson: Eastern Eye& Western Eye November 28 - February 7, 2010 700 yen for adults
10am - 6pm (10am-8pm on Thu, Fri.) Closed Mondays (except when Monday is a national holiday, when it closes Tuesday). (Free admission for over-65s on third Wednesday of the month.) In Ebisu. 03 3626 9974

Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery Element: Cecil Balmond January 16 - March 22, 2010,
11am - 7pm (till 8pm on Fri, Sat). Closed Mondays. 1,200 yen for adults. In Hatsudai, 03 5280 9996

University Art Museum - Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music Tokyo University of the Arts The 58th Graduation Works Exhibition, January 29 (Fri) - February 3 (Wed), 2010
10am-4.30pm (Last entry 4pm). Closed on Mondays. Free admission.
In Hatsudai. Inquiries: NTT Hello Dial: 03-5777-8600

Yokohama Museum of Art Tabaimo: "Danmen," or Cross-Section of a New World December 11, 2009 - March 3, 2010 10am - 6pm, but till 8pm on Fridays. (Admission till 30 minutes before closing). 1,100 yen for adults. Closed Thursdays. 10-minute walk from Sakuragicho station (JR Tokyu Toyoko Line, Yokohama subway) or 3 minutes from Minatomirai station (Minatomirai line) from the "Museum" exit or “Keyaki Street” exit. 045 221 0370.

Tokyo Music What's On

Tokyo Music/Performance

Ageha (Studio Coast) . Yume no Shima, Koto ward, Tokyo. Free shuttle bus from in front of Shibuya Police Station, 11pm - 5am. Photo ID required for entry.

Ax
(Go to "Shibuya Ax Information", then "Access").
In Shibuya. Tel. Creativeman 03-3462-6969.

Ben's Cafe in Takadanobaba. 03 3202 2445.

Billboard Live
January 2010 schedule
in Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133.

Blue Note
This month's schedule
in Minami Aoyama, nearest station: Omotesando Subway Station, exit B3, Chiyoda Line. 03 5485 0088.

Blues Alley
Monthly scdheule, in Meguro.
03 5740 6041.

Invoice Theatre The Blue Man Group in Tokyo 03 5770 7857. 7,125 - 7,500.

Nippon Budokan
Kudanshita station on the Tozai and Hanzomon subway lines.

Bunkamura Orchard Hall
Shibuya. 03-5485-0088.

Club Quattro (Click for map)
Monthly online schedule In Shibuya, 03 3477 8750.

The Cotton Club
5 mins walk from Tokyo Station, 03 3215 1555.

Hitomi Memorial Hall. Sangenjaya Station, 03 5465 1233.

Koseinenkin Kaikan Shinjuku, 03-3356-1111.

Liquid Room, Ebisu
Higashi, Shibuya-ku; Info: FLIP SIDE 03(3470)9999

Makuhari Messe
in Chiba City; 2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City; 043-296-0001

Minato Mirai New Port Minato Mirai New Port, Yokohama 045 671 9911.

Nakano Sun Plaza: Get off at Nakano Station, north exit. Next to Nakano Ward Office.

Shinjuku Pit Inn East Exit, Shinjuku Station. 03-3354-2024

Saitama Super Arena
in Saitama.

Shibuya Nest
03-3462-6969
(click on "Access Map") in Shibuya 03 3444 6751.

Shibuya O-East
(click on "Access Map") in Shibuya 03 3444 6751.

Shinjuku Bunka Center in Shinjuku, 03 5467 7880.

Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Ariake, 03-3498-9999.

Tokyo Dome

Tokyo International Forum Hall Tokyo International Forum Schedule Flea markets, fairs, seminars.
In Yurakucho 03 3746 1152.

Womb Womb website
2-16 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Womb map
03 5459 0039.

Yoyogi National Stadium (map in Japanese, Sendagaya Station) 03 3498 9999.

Yellow
B1, B2F Cesaurus, 1-10-11 Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo; 03 3479 0690.

Zepp
in Odaiba, 03 5466 0777.

Tokyo Gay and Lesbian What's On

Rehab Lounge
2F Sensho Bldg., 2-13-16, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022, Japan. Tel & fax: 03-3355-7833. Mon-Thu: 7pm-2am; Fri & Sat: 7pm-3am. Email: info [at mark] rehabloungetokyo.com

57 Fiftyseven
B1F 4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Ageha (Studio Coast) Yume no Shima, Koto ward, Tokyo. Free shuttle bus from Shinjuku Ni-chome and from in front of Shibuya Police Station, 10pm - 4.15am. Photo ID required for entry.

ArcH (B1F, Dai-2 Hayakawaya Building, Shinjuku 2-14-6, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03-3352-6297.

Amate-Raxi (AKA Amrax)
To get there: From JR Shibuya Stn walk 10 mins up Dogenzaka (i.e. veering left at the big 109 store) all the way up to the 7-11 on the right hand side of the road. Turn left, then left again at the first street you come to, and it's on your right a little further down.
Dai-ichi-no Bldg., B1, Dogenzaka 1-17-12, Shibuya, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3462-6644 (English not spoken).

Club Acid, B1, Kohwa Bldg., 2-3-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03-3352-3338.

Club Asia, 4F, No.8 Yazawa Bldg., 2-21-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03-5458-2551.

Club Core (Click for map)
Has gay nights. Click here for Club Core's monthly online schedule
B2, TSK CCC Bldg., 7-15-30 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. 03 3470 5944/050 3079 1462

Club Wire (Click for map), B1 Hanazono Bldg., Shinjuku 5-17-6, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 03-3207-6953.
Love Trek First Saturday of every month, 10pm 2,000 w 1 drink.

Colors Studio
Barbizon 27 Bldg., 3F, 2-25-23 Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 03 3797 5544

Heaven's Door
Motion date to be announced UK and US indies/electro-indies dance. No charge. Motion website
Takimoto Bldg 2F, 2-17-10 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 03-3411-6774

Hijoguchi Shinjuku.
Club Wednesday Every Wednesday, 7pm-5am. No charge.

Morph
To get there: Exit 7, Roppongi subway station, Oedo line. Walk 100m down the road, walking away from the Tokyo Midtown complex. Downstairs from the Seven Eleven convenience store.
Roppongi GM Bldg., B1, Roppongi 4-11-11, Minato ward, Tokyo. Tel: 03-5414-2683 (English not spoken).

Sunshine Studio
In Jingu-mae 3-25-12, Shibuya ward, Tokyo. Tel: 03-3401-0071 (English not spoken).

Warehouse
B1F Fukao-bilding, 1-4-5, Azabu-juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo , Japan. Tel. 03 6230 0343 2F Sensho Bldg., 2-13-16, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022, Japan.

Tokyo Sports What's On

Major Events

Soccer

Tokyo Verdy: Home games are played March-late November at Ajinomoto Stadium, 03 3635 8985. Tobakyu Station on the Keio Line.

FC Tokyo: Home games are played March-late November at Ajinomoto Stadium, 03 3635 8985. Tobakyu Station on the Keio Line.

Baseball

Tokyo Giants: Home games are played at Tokyo Dome 03 5800 9999. Suidobashi or Korakuen Stations.

Yakult Swallows: Home games are played at Jingu Stadium, (03) 3404-8999. Kokuritsukyogijo or Gaienmae Stations.

Kyoto Exhibits What's On

Gallery Space Maru Sankaku Shikaku 345-5 Miyoshii Cho, Furumonzen Nawate Iru, Higashiyama Ku, Kyoto, Tel/Fax 075-525-2315
A ten-minute walk from the Keihan Shijo Station. Head North up Nawate-dori (the main Gion drag) almost as far as Sanjo-Keihan Bus Terminal. Turn right (East) by the tobacco vending machines on the corner, and head along Furumonzen-dori for about 60m. The gallery is on the left side.

Kyoto International Manga Musuem
She Draws Comics : 100 Years of American Women Cartoonists December 18, 2009 - March 7, 2010, 1,000 yen. Gallery Four on 2nd floor, free, 10am-8pm. Tozai or Karusama Subway Line, Oike Station, a two minute walk. 075 254 7414

Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art (Kyoto Shi Bijutsu Kan 075 771 4107), Masterpieces from the Permanent Collection IV: From One Flower to Another, The Shapes of the Rapport, January 23 - March 28 2010. 1,300 yen for adults. From Kyoto Station, take bus 5 or 100. From the Tozai Line's Higashiyama Station, a five minute walk.

Kyoto National Museum (Kyoto Kokuritsu Hakubutsu kan 075 541 1151), The Hapsburgs, January 6 - March 14. 1,200 yen for adults. At Kyoto Station go to bus platform D2 in front of the station. Take city Bus #206 or #208 to "Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae" bus stop. A one-minute walk. Keihan Railways: get off at Shichijo Station. Walk east along Shichijo Street (about seven minutes) to the Museum.

Miho Museum of Art Special Exhibition Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Founder of Miho Museum "Grandma Miho" March 13 - June 6, 2010 (Miho Bijutsu Kan 0748-82-3411). Closed until March 13, 2009.
From Kyoto Station, take JR to Ishiyama Station. From there, take the Teisan bus for 50 minutes to the Museum. This masterpiece by American architect IM Pei houses one of the best collections of Asian art in the world. Well worth the trip.

Museum Eki Kyoto (Kyoto Eki Bijutsu Kan, 075-352-1111). To be updated shortly 700 yen for adults; On the 7th floor of the Isetan Department Store in the Kyoto Station Building. 10am - 8pm.

Museum of Kyoto
2010 Kyoto Kogei Biennale January 19 - February 3 2010 1,100 yen for adults for on-the-day tickets; (Closed Mondays) (Kyoto Bunka Hakubutsukan, 075 222 0888). From Oike Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, walk to Sanjo Dori (street). Walk towards Kawaramachi Dori. Two blocks on the left in a large red brick building from the Meiji Period.

Prinz Eizan Railways, Chayama Station. 075 712 3900.

The National Museum of Modern Art Selections from the MoMAK Collection March 24 - May 5 2010, 850 yen for special exhibit, 420 yen for Permanent Collection.
Closed Mondays. (Kyoto Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan, 075 761 4111). From Kyoto Station, take bus #5. From the Tozai Line's Higashiyama Station, a five minute walk. 830 at the door.

The Ritsumeikan International Peace Museum (Ritsumeikan Daigaku Kokusai Heiwa Bijutsukan, 075-465-8151) Anti-war hall with an extensive collection of Imperial Army artefacts. Periodic exhibits. From Kyoto Station, take bus #50 or #205. 300 at the door.

Kyoto Music What's On

Kyoto Kaikan Dai-ichi Hall: 0570 000 403.

Lab Tribe. 075-254-1228.

Live Spot Rag: 075 255 7273. On Kiyamachi, north of Sanjo. Kyoto Empire Building, 6F

Metro: 075-752-2787 Japanese information on Metro. From Exit Two of the Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Line. Kyoto's best night club. Features kool to kool, latin, rub-a-dub, techno, house, and more. Major acts and DJs.

Parker House Roll: 075-353-8042. On the east side of Karasuma Dori between Manjuji and Matsubara (north of Gojo) in the basement of the wonderfully named Members Golf Building.

Taku Taku. 075 351 1321. From Exit Five of the Shijo Subway Station.

Toji Temple
Kujo Subway Station (Karasuma Line). Tel: 075 691-3325. 1 Kujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto.

UrBanguild 075 212 1125. On Kiyamachi on the south side between Sanjo and Shijo.

Kyoto Film

Minami-Kaikan (Japanese map, Toji Station), Alternative Cinema; 075 661 3993.

Kyoto Cinema (click on "map"; Karasuma Station): 075 353 4723.

Kyoto Traditional Culture, Other What's On

Nippon to Asobo ("Let's Have Fun with Japan") Kyoto-based cultural event started in 1994 as an annual event showcasing a mix of traditional and new arts, this event is to reveal the true worth of the ancient capital city of Japan, Kyoto. Google Map, Nippon to Asobo Website

Machiya (Kyoto style townhouses) Tours: Contact Iori 075 352 0211, info@iori-community.co.jp or Kyoto Mitate International: http://www.mitate.org/home/index.php

Festivals

Flea Markets

Toji Temple (buses #19/20/208) from Kyoto Station). Known as Kobo-san, this flea market is held on the 21st of the month. At Toji Temple Market. Get there early and bargain hard.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (buses #203/204/205/10 /51/55 from Shijo Kawaramachi. Hakubaicho Station on the Keifuku Line). Known as Tenjin-san, this market is held on the 25th of the month. Get there early and bargain hard.

Hyakuman-ben (buses #17 and 206 from Kyoto Station, buses 201, 31, 17, 17 from Shijo Kawaramachi). This open air market is held at Chion Temple across from Kyoto University on the 15th of the month.

Other Events What's On

Kyoto Sports What's On

Soccer

Kyoto Sanga FC: Home games are played March-late November at Nishikyogoku Stadium. Nishikyogoku Station on the Hankyu Line.

Have Your Exhibit/Event Listed in Japan Visitor What's On

Contact JapanVisitor.com to have your event listed: List Your Event.

JapanVisitor's Kyoto Shop

Books on Japan

A selection of book reviews on the best works on or about Japan.

Happi Coats

Wonderful festival coats by a Kyoto maker. Happi coats just a click away.

Dance Fans

Handpainted dance fans by Kuraya.

Mini-Byobu by Kuraya

These Japanese screens are handmade and painted in Kyoto and are perfect as a home decoration or gift.

Japanese Sandals

The real deal. Japanese sandals.

Electronic Dictionaries

The latest and best electronic dictionaries shipped to your home. Many languages: French, Korean, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, German, and English.

Sushi Replicas

For restaurants and as a gift. Sushi samples online at GoodsFromJapan.com.

Umbrellas

Perfect for your garden. Japanese umbrellas.

Noren Curtains

All types of noren curtains: traditional or modern, cotton or linen.

Eco-chopsticks

Available online on GoodsFromJapan.com: Eco-Chopsticks.