Things to do this week in Tokyo

Monday 16

Setagaya Boroichi
Around 700 stalls line the street during the annual Setagaya Boroichi, this venerable two-day flea market that's been going on for more than 400 years now, and always attracts tens of thousands of visitors. Read more

Tuesday 17

Hagoita-ichi
The three-day Hagoita-ichi is all about wooden paddles (hagoita), once used to play the badminton-like game 'hanetsuki'. Attracting 300,000 people every year, this Asakusa classic is still a hotbed of Edo tradition. Read more

Roberta Flack
Renowned jazz and soul singer Roberta Flack is still going strong at the respectable age of 76, and she now brings her swinging show to Tokyo's Aoyama Theatre. This gig is likely to have a nice holiday feeling to it. Read more

Wednesday 18

Tokyo Christmas Night Out 2013
Time Out Tokyo's year-end party is back with a vengeance: kick back with delicious food (cheese sushi!), quality sake, and great music (everything from techno beats to fresh rap) at our very own Time Out Café and Diner. Read more

ASEAN-Japan Drums & Voices Concert
Celebrating 40 years of friendly relations between ASEAN and Japan, this tour unites musicians and performers of traditional culture from seven countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan. Read more

Yonosuke Natori Exhibition
Photojournalist Yonosuke Natori was the first Japanese cameraman hired by Life Magazine. This exhibition, opening today, displays around 100 of Natori's pictures, including rare shots from the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Read more

J.M.W. Turner Exhibition
Last chance today! 110 pieces by landscape master Joseph Mallord William Turner, ranging from early sketches to famous masterpieces, are on display at the 'Turner from the Tate: the Making of a Master' exhibition. Read more

Thursday 19

Futoshi Miyagi: New Message
Ending today, this exhibit of Okinawan-born artist Futoshi Miyagi's work delves into the playful and whimsical side of daily life, as well as into deeper and darker musings on identity and memory. Read more

Friday 20

Future Shorts Winter Season 2013
Held in 60 countries and 160 cities, Future Shorts Festival now brings the best in short film to audiences in Tokyo. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this winter, this year's offerings look more interesting than ever before. Read more

Shinro Ohtake: Documenta 13
Contemporary artist Shinro Ohtake was one of the contributors to last year's renowned 'documenta' fair in Germany. Opening today, this Ebisu gallery exhibition takes a closer look at his 'Scrapped Shed' contribution. Read more

Road to Ultra Tokyo
Miami's Ultra Music Festival is planning its invasion of Tokyo in 2014. Before that, this 'preparation event', headlined by Britain's Above & Beyond and Dutch brothers Showtek, will give Tokyo a taste of what's coming. Read more

Saturday 21

Christmas markets
It's the last weekend before the big day - get your gifts, ornaments, and Christmas sweets at Tokyo's many holiday markets. Bonus: when you get tired of all the shopping, why not stop for a warm cup of mulled wine? Read more

Nishiarai Osame-no Daishi
This festival marks the end of the year at Nishiarai's great temple, and features everything from sellers touting daruma dolls and other luck-bringing paraphernalia to stalls dealing in treats like senbei crackers. Read more

DJ Questlove x DJ Krush
Questlove is a man of many talents. This gig at Daikanyama's Air will see the famed drummer and producer performing an extended set, drawing on his unbelievable command of rhythms and beats. Read more

Sunday 22

Christmas Evening with Till Brönner
German jazz trumpeter and vocalist Till Brönner, one of the most interesting names in contemporary European jazz, brings his band to Blue Note Tokyo for three nights of special Christmas performances. Read more