20 things to do this weekend

Sunday

See some spooky ukiyo-e...

The great forgotten man of ukiyo-e, Kuniyoshi Utagawa was actually an artist perfectly positioned to observe the drastic changes Japan underwent as it was forced open to the world. Indeed, two of his last pieces dealt with some of the strangest things he'd ever seen: foreigners, wandering around on Yokohama soil as if they owned the place. This exhibition at the Ota Memorial Museum deals in part with his interest in western painting styles, but the real draw will be the collection of pieces depicting his other great love: ghouls and spectres. For full event details, click here

Go for a tea-fueled stroll...

With its old-school arcades, dinky art galleries and plethora of oddball shops, Nishi-Ogikubo is always an interesting neighborhood to go a-wandering around. All the more so when many of its local businesses are doling out free cups of tea, as they’ll be doing this weekend. There are a total of 58 places participating in the 'Nishi-Ogi Cha Sampo' (tea stroll): 49 shops and galleries giving a complimentary cuppa to all visitors, plus 9 cafes and eateries offering special deals. For full event details, click here

Hang out with the Tenniscoats...

Fresh from recording Tokinouta, their latest and most poignant album, Saya and Takashi Ueno will be pitching up at Time Out Tokyo's very own corner of Ebisu for an afternoon session of 'avant-pops' (as Saya has been known to term it). In our experience, this could mean anything. A Tenniscoats gig comes in many guises, and you never know whether you're going to get wild experimentalism, incorporating bathtubs and fire extinguishers, or an hour of gorgeous, delicate folk whimsy. For full event details, click here

Catch a K-pop spectacular...

In years to come, J-pop historians might talk of the BGG Era, a cultural dark ages before the country was exposed to the marvel of contemporary Korean pop – and, specifically, Girls' Generation. With their slickly choreographed dance routines, naggingly catchy pop hooks and oh-so-leggy legs, they make local faves AKB48 look like an amateur talent show in comparison (which, to be fair, wasn't so far from the truth). After a trio of successful singles, the group finally release their debut J-pop album on June 1 – imaginatively titled Girls' Generation – and they're doing a national stadium tour to support it. For full event details, click here

Dig some didge...

Like saxophones, jaw harps and accordions, the mere presence of a didgeridoo in a band is going to be a deal-breaker for some. But there's a lot more to the instrument than the flatulent drainpipe belches you might hear from buskers in Yoyogi Park. Wild Marmalade's Si Mullumby conjures percussive riffs and all manner of unorthodox sounds from his didge – so unorthodox, in fact, that the duo are constantly at pains to insist that there isn't any technological trickery going on under the covers. For full event details, click here

Meet Japan's Norah Jones...

Born in Kyoto to an American father and Japanese mother, then whisked away to Seattle at the age of 1, Emi Meyer has grown accustomed to straddling cultures. After releasing her first Japanese-language album last year, co-written with hip-hop artist Shing02, the singer-songwriter is working in English again on her latest, Suitcase of Stones. Meyer's intimate, husky vocals inevitably draw comparisons to Norah Jones (and, when she switches into Japanese, UA), while her songs incorporate elements of blues, jazz and even reggae. For full event details, click here