Tokyo Weekend 4/2-4/4

‘Mirror Land’ by Yoko Yamamoto

Catch ‘Alice’ fever at an art gallery. This new exhibition featuring etchings is done by the Lucas Museum’s own Yoko Yamamoto. The images are based on chess and inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice-based sequel ‘Through the Looking-Glass’. Also, from Saturday April 10 will be a special exhibition of Yamamoto’s work at the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama entitled ‘Yamamoto Yoko’s Wonderland – Girls from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’. The exhibition is made up of 200 works from 2000 to her most recent, divided into seven categories.

Date: Until Sat Apr 10
Open: Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, closed Sun and nat. holidays
Location: Gallery Galleria Graphica
Address: 2F Ginza S2 Bldg, 6-13-4 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)5550 1335
Website: www.lucasmuseum.net/ (Japanese only)

In Celebration Of Bruce Lee: 70th Anniversary

Bruce Lee’s timeless popularity shows no signs of stopping, especially for his 70th anniversary. This ten-day event commemorates Lee and his legacy, and is something not to be missed by true Lee fans. Collectors items, rare personal effects and other memorabilia will be on display. In addition, there will be a special premium event featuring Lee’s daughter Shannon.

Date: Until Apr 10
Time: daily 11am-9pm (Tue Apr 6 until 5pm)
Location: Roppongi Hills TV Asahi Mokuteki Space umu
Address: TV Asahi 1F, 6-9-1 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)5363 6879
Admission: ¥1,000; kids pre-school and younger Free
Website: www.brucelee-70th.com/ (Japanese only)

Italian Book Fair 2010

Books, CDs , DVDs and screenings – all with one thing in common: Italy. Catch screenings of the films of Luchino Visconti, too, with offerings alternating between ‘Osessione’ and ‘Conversation Piece’. Check website for times and availability.

Date: Until Tue Apr 11
Time: 11am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-6pm
Location: Italian Cultural Institute
Address: 2-1-30 Kudan-Minami, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)3264 6011
Admission: Free
Website: www.iictokyo.esteri.it/IIC_Tokyo

Oedo Antique Fair

The largest antique fair in the country comes back every first and third Sunday of the month. Despite sometimes being a bit on the pricey side, because of the regular and long-standing tradition of the market vendors come up with high quality pieces on a regular basis.

Date: Sun Apr 4
Time: 8am-4.30pm
Location: Tokyo International Forum (Full details & map)
Admission: Free

Ueno Sakura Matsuri

Kick off your hanami (cherry blossom viewing) with the season’s inaugural cherry blossoms at one of Tokyo’s most famous sakura spots. Check out the antiques and pottery on offer while enjoying the bustle of Ueno Park during one the busiest times of year.

Date: Until Sun Apr 4
Time: 10am
Location: Ueno Park
Telephone: (03)3833 0030
Admission: Free

Christo and Jeanne-Claude. Life=Works=Projects’

This exhibit is a gathering of drawings, photos and videos that document the often long and arduous work of the the famous art duo. Following the death of partner Jeanne-Claude on November 18, 2009, Christo continues to work on their shared vision, making this exhibition especially poignant and touching. This is the final weekend to see behind-the-scenes of one of modern art’s most iconic collaborative personalities.

Date: Until Tue Apr 6
Location: 21_21 Design Sight (Full details & map)

Apichatpong Weerasethakul

Thai artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul works in video and installation, creating pieces that about with the themes of memory and light. Scai the Bathhouse is a fitting venue for an artist that seeks an independent vision of the human experience.

Date: Until Apr 17
Location: Scai the Bathhouse (Full details & map)
Admission: Free
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The World of One Hundred Famous Views of Edo by Utagawa Hiroshige’

Utagawa Hiroshige is undoubtedly one of the most loved and widely known classic Japanese artists, having had a prolific career in traditional woodblock printing, or ukiyo-e. His iconic images are instantly recognisable, and now Ota Memorial Museum of Art is showing Hiroshige’s ‘One Hundred Famous Views of Edo’. For anyone interested in traditional Japanese artists or classic imagery of a bygone era in Japan, this is a must-see.

Date: Until Wed May 26
Location: Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art (Full details & map)

‘Discover the Beauty of Japan III: The Joy of Tea Drinking’

If there’s one thing that there is a lot of in Japan, it’s tea. With one of the richest tea cultures in the world, get a taste of its history through this exhibition that includes antique tea sets and other tea related items and porcelains. Accompanying them are selections from the museum’s collection.

Date: Sat Apr 3-Sun Jun 6
Open: Tue-Thur, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-7pm, closed Mon
Location: Idemitsu Museum of Arts
Address: Teigeki Bldg 9F, 3-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)5777 8600
Admission: ¥1,000; ¥700 high school and university students; middle school students and younger
Website: www.idemitsu.co.jp/museum/english/

Kawasaki Frontale vs. FC Tokyo

Kawasaki City’s home team and FC Tokyo face-off in J. League Division 1 play. Todoroki Stadium is inside Todoroki Park, so make a day of it and get some fresh air.

Date: Sun Apr 4
Time: 4pm
Location: Todoroki Stadium Kawasaki
Address: 1-1 Todoroki, Nakahara, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Telephone: (044)739 6070
Admission: ¥1,500-¥6,000

Nostalgic 2 Days

Calling all classic car buffs: get yourselves over to Yokohama for a trade show of nostaligic cars and other items the 60s and 70s. Exhibitions include restored cars and miniature cars, as well as vendors selling parts, accessories and other collector’s items.

Date: Sat Apr 3-Sun Apr 4
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: Pacifico Yokohama
Address: 1-1-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi, Yokohama
Telephone: (045)221 2155
Admission: ¥1,500
Website: nos2days.com/pc/press/english.html