Things to do this week in Tokyo

Monday 29

Masterpieces from the Kunsthaus Zürich
One of Switzerland's top art museums, the Kunsthaus Zürich now brings 74 highlights from its collection to Japan for this special exhibition displaying the work of 19th- and 20th-century masters like Monet and Chagall. Read more

Sara Bareilles
Likened to a well-adjusted Fiona Apple, piano-bashing Californian singer Bareilles hit big with her latest single 'Brave', although being featured in a Windows commercial certainly helped. Catch her tonight in Ebisu. Read more

Tuesday 30

Italy Week
The Italians are taking over at Shinjuku's Isetan from today, with the latest fashion and food trends displayed all over the main department store building and the men's building. Expect everything from gelato to Gucci. Read more

Wednesday 1

Palace Hotel Autumn Sweets
Craving a little something sweet to lighten up your autumn? Make your way to the Palace Hotel's sweets deli now for tasty seasonal specialities like raspberry-fig cakes, grape and lemon jellies and chestnut mousse. Read more

The Peninsula in Pink
October is here, and that means it's time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month again. Hibiya's The Peninsula will be lit up in pink, the hotel restaurants serve pink-themed cocktails and pink sweets are on sale in the cafés. Read more

Thursday 2

Tsukemen Grand Prix
Kabukicho continues its parade of mouth-watering food events with the annual Tsukemen Grand Prix, starting today and featuring a total of 24 noodle eateries, each one trying to convince Tokyoites with special delicacies. Read more

Ben Frost
Noisy electric-guitar minimalist Frost brings the prismatic roar of his latest album, Aurora, to Shibuya for this gig that also features wildman Swans percussionist Thor Harris and emphasises 'decimating magnetic force'. Read more

Friday 3

Tokyo Photo 2014
The largest photo fair in Asia rocks Tokyo again from today, with feature exhibitions including an exploration of the world of renowned Japanese photographers and a collection of editorial pics from a wide variety of publications. Read more

Torafu Garage Sale
Koichi Suzuno and Shinya Kamuro of the renowned Torafu Architects have emptied their storage facilities and are putting on a designer garage sale from today. Real gems can be had at bottom-of-the-barrel prices. Read more

A Chip in the Sugar for TELL
Support TELL in their work for the mental health of all us Tokyoites and catch this version of Alan Bennett's dramatic monologue A Chip in the Sugar, originally a part of the BBC's Talking Heads series, in Roppongi tonight. Read more

Saturday 4

Hokkaido Fair
One of Yoyogi Park's most delicious festivals returns for a full weekend of gourmet goodness. Who could resist all this freshly grilled seafood and lamb meat, superb sashimi, soup curry and classic miso ramen? Read more

Cinema Travel
Got some time before your flight, or perhaps you're picking up a friend? Anyone going to Haneda Airport might want to take the time to catch a free movie at this all-day screening series that's kicking off today. Read more

Seeking for Utopia
Drawn from the collection of Ruki Matsumoto, founder of the Ba-Tsu fashion brand, these historical Russian posters display themes ranging from abstract experimentation to the propaganda of socialist realism. Read more

Ancient Mammals Exhibition
Time is running out on this exhibition featuring a fearsome bunch of extinct mammals, so head over today if you'd still like to check out giants like Asian straight-tusked elephants and the curious 'paleoparadoxia'. Read more

Sunday 5

Shinjuku Art Heaven
Catch the Shinjuku Style Collection street fashion show and enjoy the talents of street performers, dancers, musicians and more at this energetic bash that brings colour and commotion to Tokyo's 'second centre'. Read more

Ningyo Kanshasai
Got a toy you'd like to relinquish to the spirit world? Then make sure to attend this curious ceremony at Meiji Shrine, where Shinto priests give thanks to battered children's toys for their years of faithful service. Read more

Utagawa Kunisada
A bountiful collection of ninja prints and colourful landscapes complement portraits of big-name kabuki actors and beautiful women at this retrospective on the work of ukiyo-e master Utagawa Kunisada. Read more

Rakugo and Geisha Dances
Take this rare opportunity and step back into old Japan with hauntingly beautiful geisha dances and rakugo, the traditional form of comic storytelling that flourished among Edo's merchant classes and is still going strong. Read more