Things to do this week in Tokyo

Monday 27

Carlsberg presents Ginza Bar Week
It sure ain't easy to find affordable pubs in Ginza, so booze-loving cheapskates will want to make good use of this opportunity: buy a pack of food and drink tickets, grab one of the free maps and start exploring more than 30 eateries around the area. Read more

Tabunka Art Platform
Under the theme 'A Space for Creative Collaboration: Think, Act and Connect', this project is led by Japan-based Chinese artist Lushan Liu and aims to discover ways of creating multicultural societies through a series of exhibitions, workshops, talk events, film screenings and discussions with people who each have their own story on identity. Read more

Tuesday 28

Johnny Marr
The Smiths co-founder, composer and current alt-rock guitar god Johnny Marr has worked with a who's who of musicians throughout his magnificent career. Tonight's gig is the rescheduled show after he cancelled back in Jan. Read more

'Buena Vista Social Club' Screenings
Shibuya's Bunkamura Le Cinema presents a screening of 1999's Buena Vista Social Club directed by renowned German filmmaker Wim Wenders. The screenings will be followed with live music in the theatre lobby where you can browse the poster exhibition. Read more

Wednesday 29

Swim in style at a hotel pool
Tokyo has plenty of great public pools, but those of you who'd rather avoid the hoi polloi during your swim might want to explore a different option. Take a mid-week dip at one of these hotels, which provide everything from gorgeous views to nighttime light-ups and cocktail service. Read more

Corona Sunsets Bar Harajuku
Harajuku sure is far from Acapulco or even from the California beaches so closely associated with Mexico's best-known malt beverage, but maybe that's exactly why this pop-up summer bar along Cat Street sounds like it might prove a hit. Read more

Thursday 30

Eco Edo Nihonbashi Art Aquarium
Deploying a range of lighting tricks, projection mapping and traditional Japanese motifs, not to mention thousands of live goldfish, self-proclaimed ‘art aquarium producer' Hidetomo Kimura’s annual exhibition is a must-visit. Go after 7pm for top cocktails and DJ tunes. Read more

Yoga classes
Looking for way to combine exercise and meditation? Here are some of our picks for foreigner-friendly yoga studios that not only offer a great way to introduce yourself to yoga, but will also help you make friends in the metropolis. Read more

Friday 31

EDMS featuring Lucky Date
Japan's premier EDM-only party returns to Nishi-Azabu with a tasty double dash headlined by resident and local scene pioneer Tomo Hirata along with Oakland-based producer Lucky Date, who's worked with the likes of Zedd and Hardwell over the past few years. Read more

Oath 10th Anniversary
Marking a full decade in business, the Aoyama club spreads its birthday party to the Tunnel downstairs and Hachi upstairs as well, with an all-star cast spinning through the night. Look forward to tunes from the likes of DJ Emma, Kenji Takimi, Takeshi Kubota and DJ Shibata. Read more

Yona Yona Beer Garden at Ark Hills
In addition to the signature Yona Yona Ale, a total of seven Yo-Ho brews like Tokyo Black, Suiyoubi no Neko and the limited-edition Garden Saison are available on tap (all ¥700), while the food menu includes classics like sausages and roast chicken. Read more

Kakigori for Adults
End a hot summer day on the 26th floor of the Strings by Intercontinental Hotel in Shinagawa, where special 'cocktail kakigori' (shaved ice) will be served after 5pm. Alternatives include familiar fruit mixtures like Mango-Passion Fruit and Strawberry Lemonade. Read more

Saturday 1

Tokyo Idol Festival
After a 2014 edition that saw a total of 138 'idol' groups play for over 40,000 adoring fans, this year's version of the Tokyo Idol Festival will have to pull off something really special. They're of course trying to do just that once again, promising unique 'collaborative' gigs. Read more

Shin-Toyosu Art Plaza – Sport x Art
Check out this new 'art field' in front of the Yurikamome's Shijomae Station. Landowner Tokyo Gas has turned a slab of ground on the Harumi Canal side of Toyosu into a kind of open-air gallery decorated with three gigantic works. Read more

Ome Noryo Fireworks Festival
Recommended for those who want to escape the crowds at Tokyo's big-name alternatives. The 'falling fire' effect caused by some of the explosions is impressive, but the real highlight is when nearby Nagayama Hill is lit up by the massive fountain of bursting colour. Read more

Asagaya Bali Dance Festival
Asagaya's Bali festival returns again this year, supplying two evenings of free gamelan and traditional Indonesian dance. All that dancing is bound to make you hungry, so be sure to check out the many food stalls selling Indonesian grub and beer, among other things. Read more

Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale
Just two hours from Tokyo via bullet train, Echigo-Tsumari is a rural region that since 2000 has been home to a collection of around 200 artworks spread across just as many villages. Dubbed the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field, it's an 'absolutely inefficient' approach, deliberately designed to encourage wandering and 'reviving the soul'. Read more

Sunday 2

The Caribbean and Latin American Street Festival
This colourful celebration of Caribbean and Latin American food, drinks, music and fashion returns to Yoyogi Park. Expect reggae music and lively Latin American beats and dances, spectacular costumes and, of course, copious amounts of rum and tequila. Read more

Gessoji Monzen-Ichi & Bon Odori
The Gessoji summer festival is a small Kichijoji classic, taking place on the temple grounds and along the Sun Road shopping arcade, and featuring everything from bon odori performances to a watermelon-cutting competition, as well as stalls hawking matsuri food and drink. Read more

Honey Festa
All things honey are in the spotlight at this certifiably sweet weekend celebration, which features sales of the golden nectar by producers from all over Japan, a competition to crown the inaugural Honey of the Year, and fun interactive entertainment like soap- and body lotion-making. Read more

Fuurin Matsuri
Find a pretty wind bell made of glass at this annual festival taking place at Adachi's Nishiarai Daishi temple. Craftspeople from all over the country will be peddling their wares, which exhibit a staggering variety of colours, shapes and sounds. Read more

Rob Judges: Postcards from Robo-Africa
Known primarily for his bright, pop-art paintings of totem poles on wood, Toronto-born, Tokyo-based artist Rob Judges is also a prolific drawer. The Blank Gallery will showcase dozens of his works on paper, some of which go back to 1999. Read more