Volume 04, Number 10
Things To Do
Saturday, May 19
A fun night is always had at the Australia Society BBQ. Lots of fantastic food including a wide selection of vegetarian options plus fine wines and beverages, lucky door prizes and live music. Details and online booking at www.australiasocietytokyo.com.
Sunday, May 20
Visit Omotesando Hills and enjoy a photography exhibit by Mika Ninagawa. Hosted by Shinsei Bank, the exhibit commemorates the first anniversary of the OH Financial Centre. Through mid. Sept. http://ninamika.com
Monday, May 21
Head to the Blue Note Tokyo in Aoyama to enjoy New York fusion jazz by Mike Mainieri & Steps Ahead. Through May 23, 7pm and 9:30pm, ¥8,400. Tel. 03-5485-0088.
Tuesday, May 22
Learn about The Greatest Treasures of the Russian Tsars at the Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum. Until Jun. 17 at Ryogoku Station. www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp
Wednesday, May 23
Head to Super Deluxe for this month’s installment of Japanese Cinema Eclectics, a series curated by Donald Richie, devoted to unexplored aspects of Japanese Film. www.super-deluxe.com
Thursday, May 24
Head to British pub: What the Dickens in Ebisu for a pint and enjoy the stylings of Groove Indigo, part of the almost-nightly live music lineup this month. www.whatthedickens.jp
Friday, May 25
Take time to smell the roses as Mori’s Ark Garden celebrates its tenth anniversary. Includes artists and a rose market from 11am–6pm. Learn about the weekly gardening club. www.mori.co.jp/ark-garden
Saturday, May 26
Learn more about the island nation of Sri Lanka as you ‘Experience Nature’s Best’ at the Sri Lanka Festival at Yoyogi Koen today and tomorrow from 10am–6pm. www.lankaembassy.jp
Sunday, May 27
Head to English Studio Mita for their charity flea market from 10am–3pm. The market raises money for the Keifuku-Ikujikai Azabu Orphanage. Email: tedros@jiec.org
Monday, May 28
Get your fill of art and design at Tokyo Big Sight as Design Festa takes place from 11am– 7pm. Thousands of exhibitors from around the world will show their work. www.designfesta.com
Tuesday, May 29
Learn about the work of architect L’Corbusier at the Mori Art Museum, featuring his architecture, art, and full-scale reproductions of three spaces. www.mori.art.museum
Wednesday, May 30
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Get your fill, and a side of culture too, at the new 2121_Design Sight’s exhibition Chocolate through Jul. 29. www.2121designsight.jp/index-e.html
Thursday, May 31
Be intrigued at Design Festa Gallery in Harajuku as they present a week-long exhibition featuring pieces such as strange masks, dolls, and tattoos.
Friday, June 1
Play a round of golf (or try a variety of other sports) at the Yokohama Country and Athletic Club this afternoon, and as you head to the 19th hole, be sure to pick up the new issue of Weekender, due out today. www.ycac.or.jp
Featured Event
Fit For Charity Run—May 26
Runs for charity are a great way to see new areas of the city, run with a large, exuberant group of people, and best of all, contribute to a good cause. The third annual FIT for Charity Run takes place around Hibiya Park and the Imperial Palace on Saturday, May 26. This is the third time the Financial Industry in Tokyo (FIT) has come together to hold a run for charity in as many years. In its first year, FIT raised over ¥16million, and in their second year, doubled that figure, so its very exciting to imagine just how successful they could be this year!
Volunteers run the event, and most costs associated with running the event are sponsored, so runners will be happy to know that 90 percent of their entrance fees go towards a good cause. This year, there are five such charities that the run is supporting. Aiming to support lesser-known, under-funded charities, FIT has selected the CCAP (Center for Child Abuse Prevention), Futaba Infant Home, MOYAI Support Center for Independent Living, NPO L’enfant Plaza, nonprofit organization Family House, and social welfare corporation Shineikai Fujimi.
The event includes competitive five and ten km runs and a five km fun walk/run featuring a prize for best costume. For those planning to relax and enjoy the scenery near the back of the pack, you can also win great prizes through participation in the raf- fle. Individual entries are ¥5,000 (¥1,000 for 18 years and under), and teams may also participate. For all the information about both this year’s event and years past, visit www.fitforcharity.org/home-en.htm.