Things to do this week in Tokyo

Monday 11

Cheese Festa
This was news to us, but apparently November 11 is Cheese Day in Japan. Fromage fiends can get their fix at this two-day event featuring seminars and tasting sessions, and around 250 different types on display. Read more

Bar Town Festival
This year's citywide Bar Town event takes place in eight areas, so head out for a delicious pub crawl, find hidden gems or take aim at the most popular watering holes, and enjoy the company of fellow bar travelers. Read more

Tuesday 12

Marché aux Puces Daikanyama
This French-style flea market takes place at Daikanyama's T-Site and features a wide variety of sellers and exhibitors, including antique dealers such as Antique Worriors, as well as clothing and furniture vendors. Read more

Wednesday 13

Polaris
Dub-poppers Polaris exhibit their relaxing sound at this rare concert. Fresh off their first album in six years, the duo seems to be aging rather well. Enjoy their mellow beats and vocalist Yusuke Oya's charismatic voice. Read more

Thursday 14

Paulownia in Daily Life
Paulownia timber has long been used in Japan for a wide range of purposes. Starting today, this exhibition shows how such a traditional material can be used to create beautiful, modern, and convenient items. Read more

Friday 15

Kazuki Umezawa Exhibition
Contemporary artist Kazuki Umezawa is known for creating elaborate and puzzling collages of graphics salvaged off the internet. The focus at this solo exhibition, which ends today, is augmented reality (AR) art. Read more

Tokyo Ramen Show
Starting today, the greatest ramen makers from all over Japan gather in Komazawa Olympic Park for every noodle-lover's dream event. Slurp up regional specialties and try delicious new soups and combinations. Read more

Otori Shrine Tori no Ichi
For the second time this month, visitors gather to pray for good luck and prosperity in business here – partly because the name of the shrine, Otori, has an alternate reading that means a ‘large gain in wealth’. Read more

Miyamasu Mitake Tori no Ichi
Miyamasu Mitake Shrine also opens its gates for the second Tori no Ichi festival of the month. People have been gathering here since the Taisho era to pray for good luck and success in business for the coming year. Read more

Saturday 16

Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival
The surrounding ichou (ginkgo) leaves are turning yellow, so the time is now for this autumn festival. Adding to the event’s popularity are temporary stalls selling noted products from different regions of Japan. Read more

Hachioji Ginkgo Festival
This is one of the most popular spots in the whole of Tokyo for autumn leaves. The pretty colours provide an excuse for all kinds of activities at the annual Hachioji Ginkgo Festival, which is back for its 34th edition. Read more

Sunday 17

Tequila Festa
The Japan Tequila Association presents Tequila Festa, an event intended to convert more followers to the cause of Mexico's tasty but treacherous signature spirit. Takes place at the classy Billboard Live Tokyo. Read more

Nagano Wine Fes
Nagano, while not having the name-recognition of areas like Hokkaido and Yamanashi, boasts a considerable amount of competent wineries, a fact that this event intends to drive home through ample tasting. Read more

The Cinematic World of Koki Mitani
This prop and art exhibition, ending today, takes you into the world of Koki Mitani's movies, starting from his newest production 'The Kiyosu Conference' and including previous films such as 'The Uchoten Hotel'. Read more

Japanese Artists in New York
Last chance today! This sixth instalment of 'The Mother of Design' exhibition series focuses on the work of eight New York-based emerging Japanese artists, including Yuken Teruya and Hisham Akira Bharoocha. Read more