May 3 – 4

Cambodia Festival

Spring and summer are packed with weekend festivals celebrating the cultures of various Southeast Asian countries. Laos, Thailand and Vietnam all hold their annual events at Yoyogi Park, and the Kingdom of Cambodia recently joined the mix. The festival started in 2015 with the goal of promoting friendship between Japan and Cambodia. During the two-day event, visitors can enjoy traditional Cambodian cuisine, music, arts and dancing, as well as connect with plenty of nonprofit organizations. 

10am – 7pm
Free
Yoyogi Park
2-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku
Harajuku
www.cambodiafestival.com

May 8

PAWS Volunteer Orientation

PAWS is a non-profit, 100 percent volunteer-operated animal shelter that continuously fights the good fight to give each animal that comes through its doors a beautiful and long life. Based in Yokosuka Naval Base, the shelter always has opportunities for volunteering and gives a very informative bi-monthly tour of the facilities (every second and fourth Wednesday) for those interested in volunteering. This is a chance to do good and get an extra boost of endorphins all at once. Check their Facebook page for more details.

6pm – 8pm
Free
PAWS Animal Shelter
Bldg J-1260, Yokosuka Naval Base, Yokosuka, Kanagawa
Yokosuka-Chuo

May 8

TELL pub quiz at Hobgoblin Shibuya

Ever faithful, TELL is hosting its monthly pub quiz at Hobgoblin in Shibuya once more this May. The regular event is a great place to exercise your brain in the company of kind and welcoming people, in addition to being a fantastic break from your first-week blues after Golden Week. E-mail ahead to book a table for your team of six. If you’re flying solo, just show up and you’ll be assigned a table. 

8pm – 10:30pm
¥1,000
Hobgoblin Shibuya
3F Ichiban Building, 1-3-11 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku
Shibuya

May 11

Tokyo Yamathon 2019

With no set course, the goal of this navigational challenge is to visit all 29 JR Yamanote stations in under 12 hours. Fitness, team bonding and adventure are at the core of this popular fundraising event, which has raised millions of yen for various charities and infrastructure projects since 2010. Registration takes place on arrival, with 100 percent of fees going to the Yokohama Children’s Hospice Project. An option of a half-Yamathon from the Tokyo Tokia Building to the JR Mejiro Station is also available. 

7:15 am – 10:00 pm
¥12,000
Tokyo Tokia Building
2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo
tokyo-yamathon.com

May 17

CCCJ Golf Tournament 2019

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan is hosting a team-golf tournament that is bound to be a blast. Each team of four will have the chance to win some amazing prizes — check out the website’s listings, but stay sharp as there will be some surprises. Keeping in mind that your chances of winning are much higher in a team and with the free cooler of beer in every golf cart, you really couldn’t want for anything else. 

*Registration deadline: May 10
6:30am – 10pm (Pick-up and drop-off at Embassy of Canada included)¥24,000 (CCCJ Members: ¥22,000)
Tsutsujigaoka Country Club
Itakuracho, Ashikaga, Tochigi
Aoyama-Itchome (Embassy of Canada)
www.cccj.or.jp

May 18

American Embassy Yard Sale

The American Embassy is holding its annual community yard sale, the vintage items sourced from those who are moving away or simply trying to do some spring cleaning. This is another perfect opportunity to buy reasonably priced, good quality paraphernalia that can spark joy in your life while simultaneously saving that much energy and resources in the environment. 

10am – 2pm
Free
American Embassy Housing Compound
2-1-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Roppongi-Itchome
www.japanistry.com

May 19

Ladies Bonfim Football Park Ladies Cup

Everybody loves a quick game of futsal. This annual tournament hosted by the Bonfim Football Park is the perfect chance to spend some quality time with your friends doing what you do best — kicking b*** (balls). Eight teams will contend for the championship over at least four matches of five on five. Japan Football Association futsal rules will apply, as well as some local rules.  

10am – 1pm
¥14,000 per team
Bonfim Football Park
5F iTerrace, 4-5-20 Minami-Nagasaki, Toshima-ku
Ochiai-Minami Nagasaki
britishembassyfootballclub.jp

May 24

ANZCCJ Gourmet Food and Wine Garden Party 2019

Enjoy a fantastic array of Australian and New Zealand food, wine, beer, coffee and sake — with a rugby twist. Located in the beautiful Australian Embassy garden, Japan’s Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCCJ) holds its Gourmet Food & Wine Garden Party every year. ECN Hospitality, the company that operates Ruby Jack’s steakhouse and Aoyama’s Two Rooms restaurant, will represent Australian cuisine. Treasury Wine Estates, Village Cellars and Jeroboam will provide tasteful sips to accompany the delicious food options.

6pm – 8:30pm (Registration starts at 5:30)
¥12,500 (¥10,000 for ANZCCJ Members)
Australian Embassy Tokyo
2-1-14 Mita, Minato-ku
Azabu-Juban
www.anzccj.jp

May 25 – 26

Laos Festival

The eighth annual Laos Festival comes second after Cambodia in Yoyogi Park’s succession of Southeast Asian jamborees this year. The festival, which started in 2007, has garnered increased popularity in Japan, with past iterations seeing about 180,000 attendees. Surrounded by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and China, the landlocked republic is known for its mountainous landscapes, French colonial architecture and Buddhist monasteries. Experience Laos’ rich cuisine and traditional art forms at this bustling event. 

10am – 7pm
Free
Yoyogi Park
2-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku
Harajuku
laos-festival.jp

May 31

BCCJ Cup 2019 Annual Golf Day

The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan is hosting its annual BCCJ Cup (team golf tournament) in the stunning Gold Tochigi President’s Country Club. Aside from the fact that the weather is finally favoring a day out on the course, this is a perfect opportunity to spend some time with members of the BCCJ, the group being an overall intimate number of around 60 players. All levels of golfers are welcome, but do reserve your spot ahead of time. An incredible selection of prizes awaits.

*Cancellation and payment deadline: May 17

9:15am – 3pm
¥16,500
Gold Tochigi President’s Country Club
561 Chizuka-machi, Tochigi-shi, Tochigi
Tochigi
www.bccjapan.com

May 31

German Charity Fund Garden Party 2019 

This party is the major event in the life of the thriving German community in Tokyo. Bring your friends, customers and employees and enjoy everything Germany has to offer. Tickets are available until May 28 online. Tickets cost ¥9,000 (incl. food and two drinks) for adults and ¥6,000 (incl. food and one drink) for students. Due to increased security requirements all participants will have to be registered with their full names and need to bring an ID card with photo to enter the embassy. Check their Facebook page for more details.

6pm
¥9,000
German Embassy
4-5-10 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku
Hiroo