Featured Events in Tokyo in May 2025 (March Updated)

Japan, whose otaku culture based on cartoons and games has swept the world, actually has another entertainment that it is proud of: "special photography"! In 2024, "Godzilla-1.0" won the Academy Award for "Best Visual Effects", pushing it to the peak of popularity. Continuing this trend, the "Godzilla 70th Anniversary Art Exhibition" at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo will be held from April 26 (Saturday) to June 29 (Sunday), 2025!

Japan, whose otaku culture based on cartoons and games has swept the world, actually has another entertainment that it is proud of: "special photography"! In 2024, "Godzilla-1.0" won the Academy Award for "Best Visual Effects", pushing it to the peak of popularity. Continuing this trend, the "Godzilla 70th Anniversary Art Exhibition" at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo will be held from April 26 (Saturday) to June 29 (Sunday), 2025!

Welcome to the Ryosuke Kiyasu snare drum solo show in Tokyo, Japan at hako gallery! Get ready to witness an incredible performance by Ryosuke Kiyasu, showcasing his exceptional talent on the snare drum. This in-person event promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience for all music enthusiasts. Join us at hako gallery for an evening filled with mesmerizing rhythms and beats. Don't miss out on this opportunity to witness a master at work! Information Source: Ryosuke Kiyasu | eventbrite

When you think of pottery, you may imagine vessels used as tools, such as everyday pottery and tea ware. However, in contemporary pottery, there is a perspective that sees the form of the vessel as a three-dimensional form rather than a purpose or function, and there are also objets d'art works that capture elements related to pottery, such as materials, techniques, and traditions, from a unique perspective. The founder of this museum, Kikuchi Satoshi (1923-2016), was fascinated by the diverse productions of individual artists, their unknown thoughts, and aesthetic sense, and he actively collected Japanese ceramic works from the late 20th century onwards. In 1983, he held an exhibition of his own collection, "Japanese Ceramics Today," at the Thomas M. Evans Gallery of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (Washington, USA). The exhibition, which mainly featured works by artists in their 40s and 50s at the time and introduced contemporary Japanese culture amid trade friction between Japan and the United States, was well received, and this experience became an opportunity for Kikuchi to focus on cultural projects.

This exhibition combines 88 pieces from the collections of the San Diego Museum of Art and the National Museum of Western Art, and offers tips on how to enjoy the artworks. The 49 pieces on display from the San Diego Museum of Art, including world-renowned masterpieces by Giorgione and Sánchez Cotán, will all be shown in Japan for the first time. Come and discover your own "where to look" as you trace the history of Western art spanning 600 years from the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century.

The official name of Sensoji Temple comes from the Golden Dragon Mountain, and it is called "Golden Dragon Mountain Sensoji Temple", and the name "Golden Dragon Dance" comes from the name of this mountain. "Golden Dragon Dance" is a dance that started in 1958 to commemorate the reconstruction of the main hall of Sensoji Temple, Kannon Hall. This dance is based on the story of Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined in Sensoji Temple. According to legend, she appeared as a golden dragon that descended from the sky, and overnight she created a thousand pine trees that symbolize a good harvest. The 18-meter-long, 88-kilogram shining golden dragon dances gorgeously to the music of the celebration, and this scene is absolutely impressive.

Shigaraki ware (Shiga Prefecture) is known for its tea ware and raccoon dog ornaments from the Momoyama period, but it also has a tradition of constantly evolving to meet the needs of the times as a production center for practical items. We will analyze the characteristics and trends of the wide variety of modern Shigaraki ware products that reflect this history.

The former Merchandise Exhibition Hall, the predecessor of the Merchandise Department, focused on collecting traditional crafts in the latter half of the 1990s, aiming to systematically enrich the collection of traditional crafts by region and type. This article looks back on the special exhibitions held between 1996 and 2000 that reflected the results of these efforts.

Shigaraki ware (Shiga Prefecture) is known for its tea ware and raccoon dog ornaments from the Momoyama period, but it also has a tradition of constantly evolving to meet the needs of the times as a production center for practical items. We will analyze the characteristics and trends of the wide variety of modern Shigaraki ware products that reflect this history.

Shigaraki ware (Shiga Prefecture) is known for its tea ware and raccoon dog ornaments from the Momoyama period, but it also has a tradition of constantly evolving to meet the needs of the times as a production center for practical items. We will analyze the characteristics and trends of the wide variety of modern Shigaraki ware products that reflect this history.

Shokoku-ji is an ancient Zen temple founded in 1382 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408), the third Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, and invited Muso Soseki (1275-1351), the founder of the Muso school, the largest school of the Five Mountains of Kyoto, as its founder, and his disciple Shun'ya Myoha (1311-1388) as its actual founder. It is still proud of its large appearance to the north of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, and is the head temple of the Rinzai Shokoku-ji school, which includes Rokuon-ji, commonly known as Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, and Jisho-ji. With a history of over 640 years since its founding, Shokoku-ji has nurtured many artists throughout the ages and led to the creation of masterpieces. Josetsu and Shubun, the painter-monks of Shokoku-ji, were considered to be the official painters of the Muromachi Shogunate. Sesshu, known as a master of Muromachi ink painting. Kano Tan'yu, who was deeply involved in Shokokuji culture in the Edo period. And then there are the fantastical painters Ito Jakuchu, Hara Zaichu, Maruyama Okyo... The pursuit of beauty in the Shokokuji cultural sphere, which gained its model in the Middle Ages, has continued through the early modern, modern and contemporary periods, and artworks owned by Shokokuji, Rokuonji and Jishoji have been exhibited at the Jotenkaku Museum located within the Shokokuji temple grounds. This exhibition is being held to mark the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Shokokuji Jotenkaku Museum. The exhibition will focus on masterpieces from the Shokokuji school, including over 40 national treasures and important cultural properties, and will offer a glimpse into the world of beauty at Shokokuji and entrust it to the future.

Yohen Tenmoku is a treasure of Oriental ceramics. It was made in China during the Southern Song Dynasty in the 12th to 13th centuries, and only three pieces remain in the world, all of which have been passed down to Japan. What continues to fascinate many people is the enigmatic beauty of the iridescent glow that floats on the jet-black glaze. In addition to this mysterious glow, Yohen Tenmoku also hides many mysteries, such as its manufacturing method and transmission. This exhibition focuses on the theme of black colors in crafts, and introduces iron crafts called "kurogane" (black iron), such as swords and iron tsuba, as well as "jet-black" lacquerware. We will also trace the history of black pottery in China and Japan, and approach the various mysteries and secrets that Yohen Tenmoku hides based on the latest research findings.

"Design Ah! Neo" is an exhibition that expands the concept of the program "Design Ah! Neo" currently airing on NHK Educational TV into an experiential space. It has been held as a "Design Ah! Exhibition" at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in 2013, and at six museums across the country, including the Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, and the Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art from 2018 to 2021. The third "Design Ah! Neo" exhibition will exhibit new works with new themes, while retaining the concept of encouraging children to enjoy various thoughts and discoveries about design.

Tsutaya Juzaburo (1750-97), a prominent publisher in the Edo period, is known for publishing Ukiyo-e artists such as Kitagawa Utamaro and Toshusai Sharaku, who are now considered world-class artists. This exhibition takes a close look at Tsutaju's activities, showcasing the diverse culture of Edo, focusing on the Tenmei and Kansei periods (1781-1801). With the red-light district and kabuki of Edo as his backdrop, Tsutaju deepened his friendships with kyoka poets and comic poets during the rise of kyoka poetry. He expanded his network of samurai, wealthy townspeople, popular actors, comic poets, and artists in every direction, linking various fields and introducing various new ideas to the publishing industry through a kind of media mix. Tsutajyu used his business acumen to endlessly innovate the content business. What is rooted in this is a thorough user (consumer) perspective, and the vitality with which he pursued things that people would enjoy and find interesting. This exhibition is in collaboration with NHK's 2025 taiga drama "Berabou: Tsutaju Eika no Yumebanashi," which will feature Tsutaya Jusaburo as the main character. Through a look at Tsutaju's publishing activities along with aspects of the Edo cityscape, visitors will be able to experience not only the part Tsutaju played in the publishing culture of the late Edo period, but also the values ​​and artistry that he created.

The tale of how the Heian-period warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu quelled the demon Shutendōji took shape before the fourteenth century. It then spread widely through paintings, Noh performances, and other genres. The Muromachi period Shutendōji picture scrolls by Kanō Motonobu (the “Suntory Scrolls”) are a famous ancient example copied hundreds of times during the Edo period. This exhibition will display all three of the recently restored Suntory Scrolls and will also introduce the richly varied Shutendōji picture scrolls that developed broadly from them.

Laugh with Europe's comedy nomad Victor Patrascan, as he tells hilarious jokes while asking thought-provoking questions on today’s most controversial topics. You'll hear jokes on subjects like race and religion all the way to gender and politics. This show is not for the easily offended! Don’t miss out on Victor’s newest jokes! Victor’s set includes entirely new jokes not heard during his previous appearance in town. Perfect for locals, expats, and immigrants, this show invites everyone to laugh at modern life’s absurdities. Join us for a show where comedy is at its best - insightful, honest, and uproariously funny. 🎭 STAND-UP COMEDY in ENGLISH 🎭 🔞Age Restriction: 16+ 🎟️ online tickets from ¥2250 / tickets on the door ¥4000 The show will be held entirely in English Victor Patrascan 🇷🇴 • victorpatrascan.com • @VictorPatrascan Victor Pãtrãşcan is an eccentric stand up comedian and outrageous social commentator from Romania who for the last 4 years has been constantly touring the world and telling jokes in (broken) English. Victor honed his joke writing skills on the comedy circuit in London where he lived until 2020. Since moving out of London Victor has been traveling and showcasing his comedic talent on the international stage. In several countries he has had the distinction of being the first comedian to perform in English. In 2023 alone Victor performed and produced over 300 of his own shows across 70 cities 32 countries and 2 continents. Consequently, he has a legitimate claim for having the longest and most extensive self-produced comedy tour in the world. Victor has told his jokes in Germany Japan Italy the Netherlands Greece Austria Singapore Turkey Sweden France Serbia Switzerland Georgia Finland Belgium Iceland Ukraine Spain Estonia Italy Cyprus Ireland South Korea Portugal Kazakhstan the Czech Republic Iceland Norway Slovakia very close to the Vatican Thailand Georgia UK Slovenia Armenia Croatia Poland Latvia Armenia Lithuania Luxembourg UAE Denmark Moldova Vietnam Hungary and even Bulgaria. Victor weaves these unique experiences into his stand up as he has become somewhat of a sponge absorbing the intricacies of the world's cultures and s politics. While he jokes about the stereotypes and misconceptions of every country he also highlights how silly and artifical our differences are in an effort to bring everyone together. Victor's live shows are a delightful blend of sharp wit and hilarious anecdotes. Book your tickets now and witness live one of Europe's brightest comedians! For more information visit his website VictorPatrascan.com Information Source: the Comedy Nomad | eventbrite

This exhibition will introduce representative items from the Maeba Collection, known as one of the best privately collected roof tile collections in Japan. In addition to a tile from the abandoned Chiyo-ji Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture (Nara period) bearing the inscription "Otomo Isobe," known as a rare example of a roof tile with characters, the exhibition will trace the history of Japan through a variety of roof tile materials, including the gold leaf tiles from Osaka Castle, built by Hideyoshi. Materials other than roof tile materials will also be on display, such as Hattori Hidetatsu's "Saigō Takamori Nanshū Okina Usagi Karizu" (1885).

This exhibition will introduce representative items from the Maeba Collection, known as one of the best privately collected roof tile collections in Japan. In addition to a tile from the abandoned Chiyo-ji Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture (Nara period) bearing the inscription "Otomo Isobe," known as a rare example of a roof tile with characters, the exhibition will trace the history of Japan through a variety of roof tile materials, including the gold leaf tiles from Osaka Castle, built by Hideyoshi. Materials other than roof tile materials will also be on display, such as Hattori Hidetatsu's "Saigō Takamori Nanshū Okina Usagi Karizu" (1885).

This is a touring, international exhibition designed and organised by the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, France, focusing together, for the first time, on two Impressionist/Post-Impressionist painters, Renoir and Cézanne.Featuring masterpieces like Renoir’s “Two Young Girls at the Piano” and Cézanne’s “Portrait of the Artist’s Son”, the exhibition explores the origins of modern art through approximately fifty works, including portraits, still lifes, and landscapes by these two great masters, as well as pieces by Picasso, who was influenced by them.Realised through cooperation between the Musée de l'Orangerie and the Musée d'Orsay, the exhibition travels the world, showing in Milan, then Martigny (Switzerland) and Hong Kong, before appearing at Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo, the only Japanese venue for the show.We hope that audiences will delight in the connections between Renoir and Cézanne, and in the extraordinary artistic expression of these two great masters who produced such unconstrained and diverse work on the eve of the birth of modern art.

A stand up comedy show in English about failures in relationships and love with the most hilarious comedians in Europe! Laugh along as the mischievous Victor Patrascan and his friends take you through their lives, romantic adventures, dating successes, but mostly failures, and much more… 🎭 STAND-UP COMEDY in ENGLISH 🎭 🔞Age Restriction: 16+ 🎟️ online tickets from ¥2250 // tickets on the door ¥4000 The show will be held entirely in English Victor Patrascan 🇷🇴 • victorpatrascan.com • @VictorPatrascan Victor Pãtrãşcan is an eccentric stand up comedian and outrageous social commentator from Romania who for the last 4 years has been constantly touring the world and telling jokes in (broken) English. Victor honed his joke writing skills on the comedy circuit in London where he lived until 2020. Since moving out of London Victor has been traveling and showcasing his comedic talent on the international stage. In several countries he has had the distinction of being the first comedian to perform in English. In 2023 alone Victor performed and produced over 300 of his own shows across 70 cities 32 countries and 2 continents. Consequently, he has a legitimate claim for having the longest and most extensive self-produced comedy tour in the world. Victor has told his jokes in Germany Japan Italy the Netherlands Greece Austria Singapore Turkey Sweden France Serbia Switzerland Georgia Finland Belgium Iceland Ukraine Spain Estonia Italy Cyprus Ireland South Korea Portugal Kazakhstan the Czech Republic Iceland Norway Slovakia very close to the Vatican Thailand Georgia UK Slovenia Armenia Croatia Poland Latvia Armenia Lithuania Luxembourg UAE Denmark Moldova Vietnam Hungary and even Bulgaria. Victor weaves these unique experiences into his stand up as he has become somewhat of a sponge absorbing the intricacies of the world's cultures and s politics. While he jokes about the stereotypes and misconceptions of every country he also highlights how silly and artifical our differences are in an effort to bring everyone together. Victor's live shows are a delightful blend of sharp wit and hilarious anecdotes. Book your tickets now and witness live one of Europe's brightest comedians! For more information visit his website VictorPatrascan.com Information Source: the Comedy Nomad | eventbrite