Things to do this week in Tokyo

Monday 21

Jorge Ben Jor
Remember Mas Que Nada? Brazilian pop veteran Jorge Ben Jor mixes samba, soul and funk in his signature 'samba rock' songs, and now brings his groovy show to Tokyo for three nights of gigs. Don't miss out on this one. Read more

Nature & Enak Boat Party
Throw off your inhibitions and celebrate summer on a boat. The Rose departs from Yokohama's Osanbashi Terminal at 5.30pm with an all-star cast of performers on board, and the party will kick off right away. Read more

Tuesday 22

World Beer Fair
Never been to the Sunshine observatory? Now's the time to go, as this 60th-floor viewing spot puts on a miniature beer festival for the summer. A total of 23 varieties are on offer, including Mexican and Brazilian brews. Read more

Katsushika Noryo Hanabi
Get a taste of what old Edo was like in summer at Katsushika's popular fireworks festival, known for its intimate riverside setting and lack of long distances between the launching points and the audience. Read more

Wednesday 23

Hunter Hayes
He's already an established star over in America, and you just might have heard his Wanted hit. Warming up for Fuji Rock, country wonder boy Hunter Hayes brings his multi-instrumental talents to Odaiba for this one-off gig. Read more

Kamakura Fireworks
If Tokyo's hanabi festivals are a little too crowded and urban for your taste, head on down to the beach in Kamakura for this small-scale but fun and energetic local version. Unimpeded views should not be hard to find. Read more

Thursday 24

Akihiko Okamura: All About Life and Death
Photographer Akihiko Okamura's journalistic career took him to conflict zones from Vietnam to Ethiopia and Northern Ireland. This exhibition looks back at his life through a selection of previously unpublished shots. Read more

Friday 25

Kichijoji Fureai Festival
Kichijoji's Fureai festival entertains with ukulele and taiko drum performances, hula dancing and bon odori. The many stalls selling everything from food and drink to fun variety goods should not be forgotten either. Read more

Summer Sweets
Hide from the heat at the Palace Hotel, which serves an array of cold summer specialities at its sweets shops. We love the decadent parfaits, which are available in three flavours: double chocolate, azuki and green tea. Read more

Shinbashi Koichi Festival
Shinbashi gets into the summer spirit again at this two-day festival of dancing, boozing and taiko drumming. The highlight is tonight's yukata beauty contest, which is one of the most competitive in all of Tokyo. Read more

Saturday 26

Fireworks
Fans of colourful explosions are spoiled for choice tonight, as no fewer than three fireworks festivals are taking place in Tokyo. Sumida River is the most popular one, while Hachioji and Tachikawa are more laid-back. Read more

Shinjuku Eisa Festival
In the mood for some Okinawan dancing? More than 20 eisa troupes are expected to take to the streets around the east exit of Shinjuku Station to beat portable taiko drums and twirl their way through the crowds today. Read more

Fresh Tomato Tea
Need a quick and cool energy boost? Try this concoction from Taiwanese bubble tea specialists Chun Shui Tang – they've created a delectable mix of fresh tomato, jasmine tea and syrup exclusively for the summer. Read more

Kagurazaka Matsuri
Usually one of Tokyo's most refined neighbourhoods, Kagurazaka gets a little unruly tonight, as hordes of yukata wearers and awa-odori dancers flood the streets for loud and colourful traditional festivities. Read more

New 10am Film Festival
There's even more reason to get up early for a movie today: the 10am Film Festival is showing Farewell My Concubine, the 1993 drama selected by Time Out's experts as the best Mainland Chinese film ever made. Read more

Sunday 27

Yohei Taneda's When Marnie Was There
Studio Ghibli's latest creation premiered last week, and this exhibition fleshes out the story of Anna and Marnie through full-scale replicas of movie sets, along with sketches, drawings and other pieces related to the film. Read more

Tairin Asagao Festival
Mukojima Hyakkaen, the only surviving Edo-era flower garden in Tokyo, puts on this tribute to morning glories from today. Get there early to avoid the worst heat and see the huge flowers at their very best. Read more

Nogi Shrine Antique Flea Market
Nogizaka's popular crafts market is finally reborn: renamed the Antique Flea Market, this relatively small-scale but always fun and interesting fair returns with everything from second-hand clothing to furniture. Read more