Things to do this week in Tokyo

Friday 10

Jon Cleary Trio
Undoubtedly the greatest New Orleans musician to hail from Kent, UK, Jon Cleary commences a short tour in support of last year's Occapella album, in which he tackles the songs of bayou R&B figurehead Allen Toussaint. Read more

Mark McGuire
Heir to the sonic legacy of Manuel Göttsching and Robert Fripp, guitarist Mark McGuire returns to Tokyo for a date alongside two fellow astral travellers, Dustin Wong and former Ponytail bandmate Ken Seeno. Read more

Television
When their two Golden Week dates sold out, these reunited NYC art rockers added another... and another. Tom Verlaine, Billy Cicca and co return to Shimokitazawa Garden to wrap up their nationwide tour tonight. Read more

Jad Fair & Norman Blake
Jad Fair, the paper-cutting pop-savant of Half Japanese fame, teams up with Teenage Fanclub's Norman Blake for a joint tour that finds them indulging their mutual love for the songs of Daniel Johnston. Read more

Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour
Cirque du Soleil's bombastic, officially endorsed tribute to the King of Pop has already raked in close to US$200 million worldwide – and it'll be looking to make even more when it kicks off its Japan tour this week. Read more

Richie Hawtin
Now that Golden Week's out of the way, it's time to party even harder. Techno pin-up Richie Hawtin heads to Womb for the fifth anniversary of his Minus Connected event – and he's going to have some pals in tow. Read more

Daniel Wang
One of the world's prime exponents of dub disco, Daniel Wang will be getting into the groove at Eleven tonight, with some appropriately discofied support from local DJs Calm and Shinco (of Scha Dara Parr fame). Read more

Rhythmholic
Usually a staple at Womb, the Rhythmholic parties make their first foray to Ageha tonight, with a little help from Detone Records boss, former Underworld mainstay and all-round tech house behemoth Darren Emerson. Read more

Saturday 11

Yoyogi Park Zombie Walk
Even the walking dead need to get a little sunshine from time to time, you know. Tokyo's zombie enthusiasts will be having a get-together in Yoyogi Park this afternoon, and all kinds of undead are welcome. Read more

African Festa 2013
Organisers are expecting up to 200,000 people to head to this celebration of African culture, in which visitors can have their hair braided, learn Ethiopian and Senegalese dance or get a quick lesson in the art of polyrhythms. Read more

Thai Festival 2013
If you couldn't afford a trip out of Japan during Golden Week, get the next best thing in Yoyogi Park, as the ever-popular Thai Festival returns for another two days of dancing, music, martial arts and generously spiced grub. Read more

Ozzfest Japan 2013
Metal fans were aghast when it was revealed that idol group Momoiro Clover Z would be appearing at this otherwise (head)bangin' music festival. Find out how they compare with Slipknot, Deftones, et al. today. Read more

1968 Japanese Photography
Few periods in Japan’s post-war history were as tumultuous as the late ’60s, when protests, riots and homegrown terrorism were the norm – as documented in this exhibition of photography from the era. Read more

Kanda Matsuri
Watch hundreds of people carry mikoshi (portable shrines) through Kanda and the surrounding area, accompanied by Shinto priests on horseback, in the highlight of one of Tokyo's greatest traditional festivals. Read more

Kev Gray & The Gravy Train/TEFCO
Sweet-voiced songwriter Kev Gray has had to curtail his live activities recently, but you can catch a (relatively) rare full band performance at Crawfish tonight, where he'll also be singing with new funk outfit TEFCO. Read more

So So Modern
Synth-wielding New Zealand indie outfit So So Modern bring their Japan jaunt to a raucous close tonight, supported by two of the Tokyo underground's more feral guitar bands, Suiseinoboaz and The Mornings. Read more

Mariana 4th Anniversary
Deep techno doyen Peter van Hosen will be unveiling a new live set at the Mariana party's first foray to Eleven, an anniversary bash that also marks the launch of a new in-house record label, Mariana Wax. Read more

BCBGMAXAZRIA & Bob Sinclair
Parties don't get much swankier than this catwalk/DJ shindig. Get there early to see models flaunt the latest collection from BCBGMAXAZRIA, then stay for a party helmed by house lothario Bob Sinclair. Read more

Magnificent feat. Paul van Dyk
Expect plenty of hands-in-the-air moments as German trance overlord Paul van Dyk brings his hybrid DJ/live show to Ageha tonight, on a bill with local mainstays Yoda and S_y_n – and don't forget your glowsticks. Read more

Reel Up: The Taiyo Night
Homegrown techno heroes Ken Ishii and DJ Yama revive their long-running, ridiculously infrequent Reel Up party at Womb, with a lineup including a guest live set by all-conquering Israeli house star Guy Gerber. Read more

Ginza Théâtre Cinema closing event
On May 31, the 150-seater Ginza Théâtre calls time on 27 years of service to arthouse cinema. It's dusting off some old favourites in the run-up to its final day, though, starting with John Cassavetes' Opening Night. Read more

Sunday 12

May Grand Sumo Tournament
The big guys return to Ryogoku Kokugikan for their May tournament today, the highlight of which is likely to be seeing whether hapless ozeki Kotooshu manages to avoid demotion after a disastrous showing in March. Read more

Mario Giacomelli
A little-known figure in Japan during his lifetime, Italian photographer Mario Giacomelli has been getting a serious reassessment since his death. This show at the Metropolitan Museum of Photography finishes today. Read more

DCPRG Yaon 2013
Naruyoshi Kikuchi's prog-jazz ensemble return to the site of their rainswept 2010 comeback gig this afternoon, with support from James Brown aficionados Zainichi Funk and hip hop crew Simi Lab. Read more

Ozzfest Japan 2013
Saturday's installment may have confused the hell out of most metal fans (Momoiro Clover Z? Really?), but today's Ozzfest should deliver the goods, in the form of a headlining set by the reunited Black Sabbath. Read more