Metropolis Recommends: February

Metropolis Recommends: February

Metropolis gives you the rundown of the best events in Tokyo this February

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Editor’s pick

February 4

Teenage Fanclub

Teenage Fanclub, one of Glasgow’s finest musical exports, arrive in Japan for a three-date tour taking in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. Fresh from performances in Europe celebrating their seminal Creation Records recordings, the Japan gigs promise to be a beauteous, power-pop trip through their back catalogue. Part of the celebrated Glasgow scene (which includes other legends such as Primal Scream and The Jesus and Mary Chain), the Fannies, as they’re more affectionately known, play their first gigs following the departure of bassist Gerry Love.

Open: 6:30pm (start 7:30pm)
Standing ¥7,800; Seats ¥8,500
Zepp Divercity Tokyo, 1-1-10 Aomi, Koto-ku
Station: Daiba
www.zepp.co.jp/hall/divercity

Events

February 1-11

Yokohama Strawberry Festival

Metropolis recommends February Yokohama Strawberry festival

Strawberries may not be native to Japan, but just like everything else adopted by this culture, they have been perfected here. That’s why it’s entirely possible to have a strawberry tasting boutique festival, such as this very one occurring in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. Over 20 booths will be offering variations of strawberry including jams, paste and of course, the actual fruit itself. This is bound to be a “berry” good afternoon.

11am – 6pm
Free
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Station: Yokohama
www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/strawberryfes

February 9-March 3

Setagaya Ume Festival

We’re in the midst of deepest winter now, but that certainly doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on outside — especially in this country. Ume (plum trees) will be blooming sometime in the next two months and Hanegi Park is one of the best places to be for viewing. Every weekend in this period, the park will host refreshment booths, artisanal craft stalls and even potted plant booths to complement a variety of traditional events including a koto set, rice-pounding (mochi) session and tea ceremonies.

10am – 4pm
Free
Hanegi Park, 4-38-52 Daita, Setagaya-ku
Station: Umegaoka
setagaya-umematsuri.com

February 5-19

Chinese Spring Festival 

The country’s biggest Chinatown, situated in Yokohama, will be celebrating Chinese New Year this month. During this two week celebration, there will be a countdown party on the night of February 4, traditional lion dance performances and music in Yamashitacho Park on February 9, 10, 11 and 17. Festivities also include a sensational Lantern Festival on February 19 from 5.30pm, around Masobyo Temple, in addition to many other events. This is an exciting opportunity to appreciate Chinese culture as well as an array of delicious Chinese cuisine.

All day
Free
Yamashitacho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Station: Uotomachi-Chukagai
chinatown.or.jp/event/celebration/201811_02

February 22-24

Some no Komichi Fabric Dyeing Festival 

The Nakai and Ochiai districts in Shinjuku were once the center of dye production and fabric-dyeing activity in Tokyo. In honor of this illustrious history, the districts will be displaying dyed noren along the Myoshoji River, strung beautifully across the river. The stretch becomes colorful and especially enchanting in the wind — setting the scene for a perfect stroll. Additionally, some factories will be opening their doors for tours through which you can participate in dyeing some pieces. Catch a glimpse of the age-old Japanese tradition.

All day
Free
Terahitoshi Bridge, 2-17-13 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku
Station: Nakai
www.somenokomichi.com

Music

February 12

Mitski

Metropolis recommends February Mitski

She’s opened for Lorde and the Pixies and may have been unknown to those crowds, but American-Japanese Mitski has definitely made her own mark on the music world. The young artist is coming to Japan as part of her world tour for her very successful fifth album, which is full of “arrangements that are rich without being precious, plus her terrifically mordant worldview,” as reviewed in the Guardian. Are you curious? You ought to be. A musical force with a singular objective, Mitski’s music is something to witness.

Open: 6pm (start 7pm)
¥5,800
WWW X, 2F Rise Bldg., 13-17 Udagawa, Shibuya-ku
Station: Shibuya
www-shibuya.jp/schedule/009650

February 28

Chvrches

Another band to break through from the city of Glasgow is Chvrches. Taking inspiration from 80s synth bands such as Depeche Mode and New Order, the pop triumvirate tour Japan on the back of their latest album — the glorious Love is Dead. Chvrches, since their debut album in 2013, have gone stratospheric and are regular arena players nowadays. Led by feminist leader Lauren Mayberry, the band play two nights at Toyosu PIT in what
promises to be a pair of cracking gigs.

7pm
¥7,500
Toyosu PIT, 6 Toyosu, Edogawa-ku
Station: Shin-Toyosu
toyosu-pit.team-smile.org

February 28

IME2019 (Sponsored)

The Rugby World Cup and Olympics are just around the corner, so it’s crunch-time for those of us trying to organise events, conferences and corporate meetings. Thus IME2019, organised by MICE, is the perfect opportunity to connect with suppliers and logistical support teams. Discover new information, get advice from professionals and solve any problems in your path with the help of these local experts. Reservations are required for meetings between 1:30pm – 6pm. Walk-ins are accepted at 6:10pm onward.

1:30pm – 8pm
Hall E2, Tokyo International Forum, 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Station: Yurakucho or Tokyo
www.ime2019.jp/en

Art

Until March 24

Starting Points: Japanese Art of the ’80s

Metropolis recommends February Starting Points: Japanese Art of the ’80s

Japan in the 1980s bore witness to movements that urged the reinstatement of painting and sculpture. The result was a movement dubbed “New Painting” which was characterized by vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes that reflected the flourishing economic circumstances of the times. Over 30 years later, it’s evident that art forms and concepts fundamental to today’s art blossomed in the 1980s, such as art installation, viewer participation in artwork concepts of alternative space, media art and so on. This exhibition, in Shizuoka, reconsiders Japanese art of the 1980s through contemporary perspectives and introduces works that represent “Starting Points.”

10am – 7pm
Closed: Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday)
Adults ¥1,100; Students ¥700
Shizuoka City Museum of Art, Aoi Tower 3F, 17-1 Koyamachi, Aoi-ku
Station: JR Shizuoka

February 19 – May 19

Le Corbusier and the Age of Purism

For its 60th birthday, The National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo is hosting a comprehensive exhibition dedicated to one of the world’s best known modern architects, Le Corbusier — who designed the actual museum itself. Le Corbusier published a manifesto regarding modern architecture in 1920, labelling his philosophy as a form of ‘purism’ believing that structures should be based on an aesthetic purity with minimal detail whilst embracing technology. It promises to be a detailed look at the man himself, his artistic vision and his stunning array of work.

Tues-Thu & Sun 10am – 5pm; Friday and Saturday 10am – 8pm
Closed: Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday)
Adults ¥1,600; Students ¥1,200; Seniors ¥800
The National Museum of Western Art, 7-7 Ueno Koen, Taito-ku
Station: Ueno

Until April 1

Leiko Ikemura: Our Planet Earth & Stars

Acclaimed Japanese-Swiss artist Leiko Ikemura is the subject of the latest exhibition at The National Art Center, Tokyo. Resident in Europe since the early ’80s, Ikemura works in a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, watercolor, prints and photography. This versatile use of diverse media points to the artistic task Ikemura has set for herself, in terms of expressing infinite possibilities still invisible yet latent in the creative process. Through approximately 210 works, this exhibition traces the arc of Ikemura’s determined approach to this seemingly impossible challenge.

Mon-Thu & Sun 10am – 6pm; Friday and Saturday 10am – 8pm
Closed: Tuesday
Adults ¥1,000; College Students ¥500
The National Art Center, Tokyo, 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Station: Roppongi