Things to do this week in Tokyo

Friday 24

4th AQFF Asian Queer Film Festival
Tanwarin Sukkhapisit's ladyboy-themed It Gets Better is the opening film at this biennial festival, in which filmmakers from throughout Asia shed light on LGBT experiences in their native countries. With English subtitles. Read more

Hibiya Oktoberfest 2013
Start your weekend amidst hordes of tipsy office workers and fräuleins at Hibiya Park's decidedly unseasonal – and consistently enjoyable – rendition of the infamous Munich beer festival. Why wait until October? Read more

Francis Bacon
The first large-scale exhibition of Francis Bacon's work to be held in Asia since his death is due to end on Sunday. Head down tonight, when the museum stays open till 8pm, and beat the closing-day crowds. Read more

Manpaku 2013
Festival food at its finest is available at this mammoth gourmand event in Showa Kinen Park. Stop by today to dodge the weekend crowds and sample the likes of ramen, karaage and a very special curry. Read more

Great French Paintings from the Clark
Great French Paintings from the Clark offers local audiences their first glimpse of over 70 pieces from the Institute's collection, including 22 by Renoir. The exhibition ends Sunday, though, so catch it while you can. Read more

Eleven Closing Party
Eleven is going out with a bang, with a farewell party that sees Joaquin Joe Claussell top the bill, plus support from Tokyo heavyweight DJ Emma and DJ tag-team Dazzle Drums. Don't miss your chance to say goodbye. Read more

Tresvibes 6th Anniversary
Scene stalwarts Satoshi Otsuki, Pi-Ge and Kikiorix head to Womb for the sixth anniversary of their ever-entertaining techno bash, with a guest set from hotly fancied Romanian wunderkind Praslea. Read more

Off The Rocker & Verbal present RAD
Tokyo parties don't get much more au courant than this, as M-Flo frontman Verbal shares a podium with Off The Rocker, aka electro house kingpin Shinichi Osawa and Bonjour Records boss Masatoshi Uemura. Read more

Saturday 25

Ginza Théâtre Cinema closing event
Another Tokyo arthouse cinema takes its final bow this month, as the Ginza Théâtre closes its doors after 27 years of dedicated service. Bid adieu at tonight's all-night session dedicated to Ken Loach. Read more

Tokyo Hotaru Festival 2013
The Sumida River's fireflies (hotaru) may be long gone, but this high-tech festival, timed to coincide with the Tokyo Skytree anniversary celebrations, offers an LED taste of what it would be like if they were still there. Read more

Yokohama Handmade Marche 2013
Pacifico Yokohama will be pulling in the creatives this weekend with an extravaganza of all things handmade. Browse stalls displaying everything from handicrafts and art to fashion and food, or learn a few tricks of the trade. Read more

Okinawa Matsuri 2013
If you're fancying a taste of Okinawa living without the airfare, get down to Yoyogi Park for this free festival. Hear music from the likes of D51 and Flip, slurp soba and join the slow lane for a couple of days. Read more

Joysound
Though it's put together by current Tokyo indie darlings Triple Fire, this show is worth going to more for the support acts, including hypnotic post-punk act Extruders and Kumamoto-based oddballs Doit Science. Read more

Shimokitazawa Sound Cruising
Music fans with more stamina than sense can get a full 12 hours of gigging action at this multi-venue fest. This year's lineup includes high-profile acts such as techno DJ Takkyu Ishino, and idol group BiS. Read more

Loud & Metal Attack
Finnish metal is on the menu at Studio Coast today, as a host of Scandinavian headbangers – including Nightwish, Turisas, Mokoma and Omnium – unleash their various strains of sonic mayhem. Read more

The Wonderland feat. Lange
Expect 'uplifting music' and plenty of glowsticks-in-the-air moments as UK trance star Lange rubs shoulders with Japanese counterpart Yoji at Ageha – and gives a taster of his third album, due out this autumn. Read more

Saw@Air 23
Saw Recordings bosses Satoshi Tomiie and Hector Romero usually take turns to rep their record label in Tokyo, but they'll be joining forces for tonight's party at Air – the first time they've done so in three years. Read more

Eleven Closing Party
Wipe those tears away and hit the dancefloor. Much-loved Nishi-Azabu club Eleven bows out tonight, and they've got Berghain and Panorama Bar resident André Galluzzi on hand to administer the last rites. Read more

Low End Theory Japan Summer 2013 Edition
The Los Angeles beat juggernaut returns for another night of cutting-edge hip hop and quick-fire rhythm showdowns, with Japanese turntable icon DJ Krush guesting alongside visitors Daddy Kev, Nobody, et al. Read more

The Place Beyond the Pines
Swoon-inducing actor and full-time internet meme Ryan Gosling reunites with Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance for this ambitious, overreaching drama: mythic, portentous and likeably heavy. Opens today. Read more

Sunday 26

Tokyo Port Festival (Minato Matsuri)
You'll find a variety of family-friendly activities at this nautical festival, which commemorates the opening of Tokyo Port in 1941. One of the highlights is the firefighting pageant held from 10.30am today. Read more

Hanazono Shrine Grand Festival
The handsome mikoshi from Shinjuku's Hanazono Shrine is taken on a tour of the surrounding neighbourhood today, in the most popular part of the shrine's annual, three-day traditional festival. Read more

May Grand Sumo Tournament
It's the last day to see Japan's sumo wrestlers fight it out in the May tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan. There are cheap ¥2,100 tickets available on the door, but get there very early if you're hoping to score a seat. Read more

Rovo presents MDT Festival 2013
Space rockers Rovo descend on Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall for their annual 'Man Drive Trance' gig, this year with support from indie rockers Ogre You Asshole and audacious avant-pop ensemble Salyu x Salyu. Read more

Takako Minekawa & Dustin Wong
The electronica-pop queen of the Shibuya-kei scene has returned, in a dreamy collaboration with loop pedal-loving guitarist Dustin Wong. Catch their album release show tonight, with Ninsennenmondai in support. Read more

Japan Art Association Anniversary Show
Swoon over a selection of paintings, ornaments and kimono from the Meiji era onwards, at this 125th anniversary exhibition organised by the Japan Art Association, the Ueno Royal Museum's sugar daddies. Read more