The ten best events this autumn

Art festivals, motor shows, farmer’s markets, robots, tennis and more! Get out your calendars and start planning your days out... Time Out Tokyo brings you the ten events to see this autumn.

Tokyo Traditional Performing Arts Festival 2009

Website: www.dento-wa.jp/en/top.html

When: Until Sat Nov 21

Where: Various locations

Japan has a wealth of traditional performing arts, but not all of them are easy to catch on stage. This annual festival is an opportunity to see noh, kyogen, bunraku and musical performances by some of Japan’s best traditional artists. The lineup includes musical moon viewing, traditional storytelling and folk performances.

Asa Ichi Earth Day Market

Website: www.earthdaymarket.com/

When: Every Sun in October

Where: Various locations

FREE

Farmer’s markets haven’t taken off in Tokyo quite yet, but they’re about to. Asa Ichi Earth Day Market aims to give people an alternative way to shop and lead a more environmentally aware lifestyle. Swap your dreary supermarket experience with Tokyo’s parks for a chance to buy farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, earth-conscious products, organic food and more. Vendors include NGOs and fair trade booths, as well as social action organisations. Collect vouchers with purchases to redeem for discounts. See the event website for alternate rain dates.

Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships 2009

Website: rakutenopen.rakuten.co.jp/en/

When: Sat Oct 3 - Sun Oct 11

Where: Ariake Tennis Forest, Ariake

Sixty-four of tennis’s best players descend on Tokyo for one of Asia’s most exciting sports events. Never mind that Roger Federer isn’t showing up this time around; you can still catch the likes of Andy Murray, Juan Martin Del Potro, Lleyton Hewitt and defending champion Tomas Berdych as they take to the court. Qualifying events take place on October 3 and 4, with main draws and players sweating it out for over $1.3 million in prize money starting on October 5.

Tokyo International Film Festival 2009

Website: www.tiff-jp.net/en/

When: Sat Oct 17 - Sun Oct 28

Where: TOHO Cinemas Roppingi and Roppongi Cinemart

The Tokyo International Film Festival is one of the most popular cinema events of the year. This year’s festival features more than 70 entries with special screenings of highly anticipated films such as Charlie Kaufman’s ‘Synedoche, New York’, and James Cameron’s sci-fi extravaganza ‘Avatar’. Don’t miss the special programming section ‘Winds of Asia’, which features films centred on the Middle East, Korea and China, and ‘Japanese Eyes’ which looks at diverse impressions of life from Japanese directors and subtitled in English. Check out the special memorial screening of the last work by Malaysian director Yasmin Ahmad, a TIFF winner who suddenly passed away earlier this year. There are numerous screenings, but seats are limited so arrive early to avoid disappointment. If you miss a show, take a look at one of the co-hosted programmes such as Bunka Cho Film Week, whose schedule is also available via the TIFF website.

GEISAI 13

Website: www.geisai.net/g13/

When: Sun Oct 18

Where: Kaikai Kiki Miyoshi Studio, Saitama

The thirteenth instalment of geek-cum-art star Murakami Takashi’s all access art fair has changed venue from Tokyo Big Sight to the smaller but more up-close (and in your face) choice of the Kaikai Kiki studios in Saitama. That doesn’t change the spirit of the event, and it remains one of the fastest growing and influential art events in Tokyo, with exhibitors coming from all over Japan and the globe. Murakami continues to show his special support for art students looking to break into the scene; creative veterans mix with first-timers showing everything and anything that can be called art. Pieces can be purchased, so take advantage of the shopping opportunities while you’re there.

Kiku Kuyo Chrysanthemum Memorial Ceremony

Website: www.senso-ji.jp/annual_event/kikukyoue.html

When: Sun Oct 18

Where: Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa

Join the traditional prayer for longevity at one of Japan’s most iconic temples in the historic heart of Tokyo. Asakusa may seem like a tourist trap at times, but Kiku Kuyo is a one-of-a-kind experience. Visitors offer a bouquet of chrysanthemums to the temple and receive a blessed bouquet in return. The main attraction is the Kinryu no mai, where members of the temple perform a dance manipulating an 88kg, 18-metre long golden dragon.

Festival/Tokyo Performing Arts Festival 2009

Website: www.festival-tokyo.jp/en/

When: Fri Oct 23 – Mon Dec 21

Where: various locations

Usually held once a year, Festival/Tokyo has chosen 2009 as the year to shift the event from spring to autumn, resulting in the 2009 festival happening twice. This performing arts festival is comprised of 20 performances performed in theatres in and around the Ikebukuro area. Performances include a Japanese debut for Brazilian choreographer Bruno Beltrão, site-specific performance from Ishinha, and situation artist Chris Kondek. Some of the events include post-performance talks.

Design Festa Vol. 30

Website: www.designfesta.com/index_en.html

When: Sat Oct 24 – Sun Oct 25

Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake

Design Festa celebrates its fifteenth year of bringing what’s new and different to the Tokyo art scene. Japanese as well as international artists use this biannual art and design festival to show off their latest works and performances. More than 8,500 artists have filled Tokyo Big Sight with live painting, music, dance and skits. Much of what’s shown is on sale, making this event the perfect place to pick up unique presents for birthdays and holidays. If you can’t get to the Festa, make your way over to the Design Festa Complex in Harajuku for year-long exhibitions and the Design Festa Café and Restaurant.

Tokyo Motor Show 2009

Website: www.tokyo-motorshow.com/en/

When: Sat Oct 24 – Wed Nov 4

Where: Makuhari Messe, Chiba

The Tokyo Motor Show returns with it its usual display of futuristic prototypes, unveiling of new models, and outlandish concept cars. Earlier this year, gossip made the rounds that the show would be taking a break until 2011, but thankfully that’s not the case. New additions this year include test drives for both passenger cars and motorcycles on actual roads near the venue. If you want more than just automobiles, there are other car related features such as a photo exhibition entitled ‘My Memorable Vehicle’, and game stations sponsored by PlayStation featuring ‘Gran Turismo’.

International Robot Expo 2009

Website: www.nikkan.co.jp/eve/irex/

When: Wed Nov 25 – Sat Nov 28

Where: Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake

Find the future at Tokyo Big Sight with robots for manufacturing, home use and even entertainment. Hundreds of companies showcase robotic pets, healthcare robots, cleaning robots and robots operated under extreme conditions. New technologies and global firsts are unveiled at this show, so get ready to find something you’ve never seen before.