Off-base events
Events are as accurate as possible at press time. Since times or event schedules can change, please verify events before attending.
Japan
HIBIYA OKTOBERFEST (Tokyo): May 17-26, noon-10 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. weekends; German beer and music performed by AnTon and the funny Guys; Hibiya Park, one-minute walk from Hibiya Station on Hibiya and Chiyoda-Lines; free.
JAPAN TOUR OF JAPAN: May 19-26; 16 teams from around the world compete in a six-stage cycling race across 581.85 km in Japan; May 19, 1:40 p.m., 1st stage 2.65 km time trial in Sakai; May 21, 9:15 a.m., 2nd stage 160.7 km in Mino; May 22, 8:45 a.m., 3rd stage 148 km in Minami Shinshu; May 24, 10 a.m., 4th stage 11.4 km hill climb in Mount Fuji; May 25, 9:30 a.m., 5th stage 146.4 km in Izu; May 26, 11 a.m., 6th stage, 112.7 km, Hibiya–Ohifuto in Tokyo; 03-3586-6230; www.toj.co.jp/toj14.
SANKEIEN GARDEN — AZALEA BONSAI EXHIBITION (Yokohama): Through June 2, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; Sankeien Garden, built by a silk trading businessman, Sankei Hara, was open to the public in 1906. H historic buildings and seasonal flowers are displayed in this Japanese-style garden in Yokohama. D bonsai, or dwarfed azalea trees in the outer garden; 10-minute bus ride from JR Negishi Station; 500 yen adults, 300 yen seniors, 200 yen kids; 045-621-0634/5; www.sankeien.or.jp/pdf/guidemap_english.pdf.
KISHIMOJIN-DORI SECONDHAND BOOK FAIR (Tokyo): May 24, noon-4 p.m., May 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; secondhand books on sale, and talk shows and more; Zoshigaya Station on Fukutoshin-Line; 090-1766-2008.
OMIYA TAKIGI NOH (Saitama prefecture): May 24 & 25, 6:20 p.m.; Takigi Noh (Bonfire Noh) is mystic musical theater lit by bonfires; Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine, 1-407 Takahana-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama, 20-minute walk from JR Omiya Station; 6,000-7,000 yen; 048-647-8339.
EXPERIENCE CRAFT MAKING FEST (Tokyo): May 24-26; more than 350 varieties of classes such as cotton, leather and washi-paper bags, candle, glass-making and more at Hulic Hall (Asakusabach) and 2K540 (Okachimachi); JR Okachimachi and Asakusabash Stations; 090-6070-7299.
JAPAN OPEN SWIMMING (Kanagawa prefecture): May 24-26; top swimmers compete in 50-meter pool at Sagamihara Green Pool, 10-minute walk from Kamimizo Station on JR Sagamihara Line; 2,500-3,500-4,500- yen; 03-6277-6417.
TOKYO WALK RALLY 2013 — HARUMI & TOYOSU: May 25; The event includes 7, 11 & 20 km courses; starting and ending at Tokyo Rinkai Koiki Bosai Koen, two-minute walk from Ariake on Yurikagome (monorail) or four-minute walk from Kokusai Tenjijo Station on Rinkai Line; 1,500 yen adults, 1,000 yen students and those older than 75, ages 11 and younger free; 03-5256-7855.
OEDO ANTIQUE FAIR (Tokyo): May 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; more than 250 licensed antique dealers participate at Yoyogi Park Keyaki Street Area; five-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station & Meiji Jingu-mae Station on Metro Chiyoda Line, 03-5805-1093.
51ST AIKIDO PERFORMANCE (Tokyo): May 25, noon-5:30 p.m.; Aikido (Japanese martial art) performance; Budokan, five-minute walk from Kudanshita Station on Metro Tozai and Hanzomon Lines; free; 03-3203-9236.
TOKYO HOTARU FESTIVAL: May 25, 7-9 p.m.; see a fantasy world of hotaru (lightning bugs) with more than 100,000 LED lights on the Sumida River, Sumida River Terrace (between Sakurabashi and Azumabashi); 1,000 yen standing, 3,000 yen seats; Asakusa Station on Ginza-Line and Tobu-Line; 03-6825-7913; http://tokyo-hotaru.jp.
TOKYO NOSTALGIC CAR SHOW (Chiba prefecture): May 25 & 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; nostalgic car show and a demonstration of legendary racing cars and a circuit run by owners at Sodegawara Forest Raceway, 348-1, Hayashi, Sodegaura; seven-minute ride from Kisarazu Higashi I.C. on Shutoken Chuo Renraku Express; 3,000 yen; 050-3321-5401.
OKINAWA MATSURI — STREET MUSIC FEST (Tokyo): May 25 & 26, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; live music performance by D-51, FliP, Breathe, Manami, Green Coaster, South and more, along with local food and crafts from Okinawa; Yoyogi Park, five-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station; free.
15TH FUJI BLUE SKY HEAVEN (Shizuoka prefecture): May 25 & 26; event commemorating Harley-Davidson Japan’s 100th anniversary includes acrobatic stunt riding, drag machine performance, Blue Sky market and more; at Fuji Speedway, 694, Nakahinata, Oyamacho, Suntou-gun, Shizuoka prefecture, 65-minute drive from Tokyo-Seta to Gotemba IC on Tomei Express, 15-minute drive to Fuji Speedway, 65-minute drive from Chofu to Kawaguchi IC on Chuo Express, 15-minute drive to Subashiri IC on Higashi Fuji Goko Express, 10-minute drive to Fuji Speedway; 4,400 yen, 3,500 yen for advance ticket; 03-3455-5519.
SPRING ROSE FESTIVAL IN JINDAIJI BOTANICAL GARDEN (Tokyo): Through May 26, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., until 8 p.m. weekends, closed Mon.; 100,000 trees and shrubs and 5,100 varieties of roses; concerts at 2 & 5 p.m. May 19 & 26, night illumination until 9 p.m. weekends; 5-31-10 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu, bus from Mitaka Station, JR Chuo Line, or Chofu Station, Keio Line, Jindaiji Shokubutsu Koen Mae bus stop; 500 yen; 0424-83-2300; www.tokyo-park.or.jp.
SHOWA KINEN PARK POPPY FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Through May 26, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; more than 250,000 poppy flowers bloom until mid-May; 400 yen to enter; JR Ome Line, Nishi-Tachikawa Station, a 15-minute walk from Tachikawa Station; 042-528-1751; www.showakinenpark.go.jp/english.
YOYOGI PARK EARTH DAY MARKET (Tokyo): May 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 55 dealers participate in monthly market of organic products and more; 10-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station; Earth Day Money Association 03-6806-9281.
MUSICAL “HAIR” (Tokyo): May 29-June 9; Tokyu Theatre Orb, 11th floor at Shibuya Hikarie; JR, metro and Keio Inogashira Shibuya Station; 9,000-12,000 yen; 03-3477-3244.
KAWAGUCHI FLEA MARKET (Saitama prefecture): May 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; featuring old clothes with about 70 booths at Kawaguchi East Exit Qupola Square, one-minute walk from JR Kawaguchi Station; Citizen Recycle Center 03-3226-6800.
EDWARD S. CURTIS PHOTO EXHIBITION (Tokyo): Through May 31, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; featuring 22 portraits of American Indians in the 1900s taken by Curtis (1868-1952); Fuji Film Square at Tokyo Midtown, Nogizaka Station on Chiyoda-Line or Roppongi Station on Hibiya-Line; free; 03-5733-5131.
ANTIQUE SHOW YOKOHAMA (Kanagawa prefecture): May 31-June 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; featuring 100 Japanese and European antique dealers with accessories, furniture and pottery at Yokohama Sambo Hall, three-minute walk from Nihondai Dori Station on Minato Mirai-Line; free; 045-671-7053.
KOMAZAWA OKTOBERFEST (Tokyo): May 31-June 9, 4-10 p.m. weekdays, 11 -10 p.m. a.m. weekends; varieties of German beer and music and more; Komazawa Olympic Park and Chuo Koen, 12-minute walk from Komazawa Daigaku Station on Tokyu Den-entoshi Line; free.
EU FILM DAYS 2013 (Tokyo): May 31-June 26; European Union Film fair featuring 22 movies including “Breathing” of Austria, “Come As You Are” of Belgium, “Footsteps in the Sand” of Bulgaria and “Thanks for Every New Morning” of Czech Republic and “German Grom Above” of German, “The Maggot Feeder, Villa Antropoff, Others” of Estonia, “Cousinhood” of Spain and others; Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 10-minute walk from Kudanshita Station on Metro Tozai Line; 500 yen; 03-3264-6011.
GREAT JAPAN BEER FESTIVAL IN TOKYO: June 1, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. & 4-7:30 p.m., June 2, 12:30.-4:30 p.m.; taste more than 150 beers brewed in Japan and Belgium, a beer glass is given to first 800 visitors each day; at Ebisu The Garden Hall; 4,800 yen for advance ticket; Japan Beer Federation; 0798-701-0911; www.beertaster.org/gjbf/date.htm.
SANKEIEN GARDEN — LIGHTNING BUG FESTIVAL (YOKOHAMA): June 1-9, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sankeien Garden, built by a silk trading businessman, Sankei Hara, was open to the public in 1906. Historic buildings and seasonal flowers are displayed in this Japanese-style garden in Yokohama. features fantasy world in the garden where lightning bugs fly; 10-minute bus ride from JR Negishi Station; 500 yen adults, 300 yen seniors, 200 yen kids; 045-621-0634/5; www.sankeien.or.jp/pdf/guidemap_english.pdf.
FUJI MOSS PHLOX PLANT FESTIVAL (Yamanashi prefecture): Through June 2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; more than 800,000 moss phlox plants bloom in early May at Fuji Hon-Motosuko (Lake) Resort, 25-minute ride from Kawaguchiko I.C. on Chuo Express or 50-minute ride from Fuji I.C. on Tomei Express; 500 yen adults, 200 yen kids, plus 500 yen to park; 0555-89-3031; www.shibazakura.jp.
RAFFAELLO EXHIBITION (Tokyo): Through June 2, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., closed Mon.; more than 20 works by Raffaello, including his most famous image of the Madonna and child, “Madonna del Granduca,” along with 60 works by artists active around him are on display; National Museum of Western Art, one-minute walk from JR Ueno Station; 1,500 yen adults, 1,200 yen college students, 800 yen senior high school students; 03-5777-8600; www.nmwa.go.jp/en.
SPRING ROSE FESTIVAL IN IKUTA RYOKUCHI GARDEN (Kawagawa prefecture): Through June 2, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 9 p.m. weekends, closed Mon.; 4,700 trees and shrubs, and 533 varieties of roses; 15-minute walk from Shukugawara Station on JR Nambu-Line; free; 044-978-5270.
KYU-FURUKAWA TEIEN GARDEN (Tokyo): Through June 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., until 9 p.m. May 17-26; Spring Roses Festival features nightly illumination until 9 p.m. May 17-26, and concerts noon & 3 p.m. May 11, June 1 & 8; Formerly owned by Furukawa family financial group, the garden is transferred to Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and opens to the public; seven-minute walk from JR Kaminakazato Station; 150 yen; 03-3910-0394; www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english.
KURIHAMA FLOWER PARK — “POPPY GARDEN” (Yokosuka): Through June 9, daily; about 1 million poppy flowers start blooming in late April and June 2 & 9 visitors can pick poppy flowers 2-4 p.m.; 15-minute walk from Keikyu Line or JR Kurihama Station; free; 046-833-8282.
HARRY POTTER EXHIBITION (Tokyo): June 22-Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; featuring screen properties in the Harry Potter movies and more on display; 2,500 yen adults, 2,000 yen college students, 1,500 yen senior and junior high school students, 1,000 yen kids; 0570-000-777; www.harrypotterexhibition.jp.
EXHIBITION “LEONARDO DA VINCI” (Tokyo): Through June 30, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., until 8 p.m. Fri., closed Mon.; featuring 100 oil paintings and sketches by da Vinci and artists influenced by da Vinci, owned by Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosianna – Milano/De Agostini Picture Library; Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, seven-minute walk from JR Ueno Station; 1,500 yen adults, 1,300 yen college students, 800 yen senior high school students, 11 and younger free; 03-3823-6920; http://tinyurl.com/csodz4s.
WALKING WITH DINOSAURS LIVE ARENA TOUR IN JAPAN (Kanagawa, Saitama, Fukuoka and Hiroshima prefectures): July 12-15, Yokohama Arena; Aug. 1-7, Saitama Super Arena; Aug. 15-18, Marine Messe Fukuoka; Aug. 22-25, Hiroshima Green Arena; 4,200-6,300-8,400-10,500 yen adults, 3,150-5,250-7,350-9,450 yen kids; 00570-008-600.
MUSICAL, “DREAMGIRLS” (Tokyo): July 31-Aug. 25; Tokyu Theatre Orb, 11th floor at Shibuya Hikarie; JR, metro and Keio Inogashira Shibuya Station; 7,500-9,500-12,500 yen; 03-3477-3244.
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE: FROM CHAGALL TO KUSAMA AND HATSUNE MIKU (Tokyo): Through Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, until 5 p.m. Tue.; Mori Art Museum, Roppongi Station on Hibiya Line or four-minute walk from Roppongi Station on Oedo Line; 1,500 yen adults, 1,000 yen students, 500 yen ages 4-15; 03-5777-8600; www.mori.art.museum/english/contents/love/index.html.
MUSICAL, GREEN DAY’S “AMERICAN IDIOT” (Tokyo): Aug. 7-18; Tokyo International Forum Hall C, 8,500-10,500 yen; Kyodo Tokyo 0570-550-799 or http://kyodotokyo.com/aidiot.
CORMORANT FISHING (UKAI) (Gifu prefecture): Through Oct. 15; cormorant fishing on Nagara River is a type of traditional fishing in Japan. More than 40 sightseeing ships are set on the river at 6:15, 6:45 p.m. & 7:15 p.m. to observe cormorant fishermen — usho — catch sweetfish using trained cormorants. Boat fare is 3,000-3,300 yen/person; Nagara River Cormorant Fishing Boat Reservations 058-262-0104; www.gifucvb.or.jp/en/01_sightseeing/01_01.html. Other places to observe cormorant fishing are Uji River in Kyoto 0774-23-3334; Katsura River in Kyoto 075-861-0302: Kiso River in Inuyama city, Aichi prefecture, 0568-61-0057; Hiji River in Oozu, Ehime prefecture, 0893-24-2664; and Nishiki River in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi prefecture, 0827-41-0470 or www.ukai-iwakuni.com/content/en.html.
30TH ANNIVERSARY “THE HAPPY YEAR” TOKYO DISNEYLAND (Chiba prefecture): Through March 20, 2014; commemorating the 30th anniversary of the opening Tokyo Disneyland on April 15, 1983 in Chiba, featuring events including daytime parade “Happyness Is Here” as well as “Star Tours: The Adventures Continues” at Disneyland and DisneySea; also Disney characters will tour 30 cities around the Japan; two-minute ride from Resort Gate Station/Maihama Station, JR Keiyo Line, DisneySea: three-minute ride from Resort Gate Station/Maihama Station, JR Keiyo Line; Tokyo Disney Resort Information 0570-00-8632; www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp.
WHALE SHARK VIEWING: open-ended run; see 4.9- and 5.4-meter whale sharks at feedings and performances; Hakkeijima Sea Paradise; Seaside Line, Hakkeijima Station; 4,200 yen adults, 3,000 yen kids; 045-788-8888; www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/.
FANTASMIC (Chiba prefecture): open-ended run; night-time show, featuring 27 animated characters such as Mickey Mouse and Cinderella, filled with special effects using water and fire on Mediterranean Harbor; Tokyo DisneySea, three-minute ride from Resort Gate Station/Maihama Station, JR Keiyo Line; one-day passport 6,200 yen adults, discount passport after 3 p.m. 4,900 yen adults; 0570-00-8632; www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp.
MEIJI JINGU ICE SKATING (Tokyo): year-round, noon-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends; adults 1,300 yen/day, children 900 yen/day and after 3 p.m., adults 1,000 yen and children 700 yen and 500 yen for shoe rental; Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku-ku, one-minute walk from Kokuritsu Kyogijyo on subway Oedo Line or five-minute walk from JR Shinanomachi Station on Sobu Line; 03-3403-3458, www.meijijingugaien.jp/english/ice-skating.html.
Okinawa
23RD GINOWAN-KUME ISLANDS YACHT RACE: May 25, 6 a.m.; 55-mile yacht race from Ginowan Port marina to Kume Islands; 40-minute ride from Naha Airport; 098-985-8001.
YOMITAN BULLFIGHTING: June 2, 1 p.m.; Okinawa bullfighting (bull vs. bull) is particularly popular in central Okinawa; also featuring Eisa dance; Ishikawa Multi-purpose Dome, Uruma city, 70-minute drive from Naha Airport; 2,500 yen adults; 098-965-5634.
14TH BEACH VOLLEYBALL MIYAKOJIMA 2013: June 8, 2:30-5 p.m., June 9, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; 24 teams each of men’s and women’s pairs and 96 mixed teams of four compete with awards 5 p.m. Sunday; Yonaha Maehama Beach, 20-minute ride from Miyakojima Airport; 0980-75-3824.
GUSHIKAWA BULLFIGHTING: June 9, 1 p.m.; Okinawa bullfighting (bull vs. bull) is particularly popular in central Okinawa; also featuring Eisa dance; Ishikawa Multi-purpose Dome, Uruma city, 70-minute drive from Naha Airport; 2,500 yen adults; 098-965-5634.
FATHER’S DAY BULLFIGHTING: June 16, 1 p.m.; Okinawa bullfighting (bull vs. bull) is particularly popular in central Okinawa along with Eisa dance; Ishikawa Multi-purpose Dome, Uruma city, 70-minute drive from Naha Airport; 3,000 yen for adults; 098-965-4441.
South Korea
MUSICAL “UMOJA” (Seoul): Through May 26; Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater; 50,000-80,000-110,000-130,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL “BOLSHOI ON ICE” (Seoul): Through May 26; Mokdong Ice Rink; 60,000-80,000-100,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL “MAMA, DON’T CRY” (Seoul): Through May 26; Chungmu Art Hall, Middle Theatre Black; 50,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
“LES MISERABLES” (Seoul): Through May 26; Blue Square Musical Hall; 50,000-70,000-90,000-110,000-130,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
“JACK THE RIPPER, THE MUSICAL” (Gyeonggi): , May 29-June 30; Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House, 40,000-60,000-80,000-100,000-120,000 won weekday, 50,000-70,000-90,000-110,000-130,000 won weekend; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “EUROPE BLOG” (Seoul): Through May 31, Seoul, Dae Hak No, Theater Group Eda, Hall One, 40,000-60,000 won; http://ticket.interpark.com.
MUSICAL “TOMORROW MORNING” (Seoul): June 1-Sept. 1; KT&G Sangsang Art Hall, 55,000-65,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL “WHEN A MAN LOVES WOMAN” (Seoul): Through June 2; Universal Art Center; 50,000-70,000-90,000-110,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “THE MOON THAT EMBRACES SUN” (Gyeonggi): June 8-23; Poeun Art Hall, 60,000-80,000-100,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL “MONTE CRISTO” (Seoul): June 8-Aug. 4; Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater; 50,000-80,000-110,000-130,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe. MUSICAL, “THE DAYS” (Seoul): Through June 30; the Blue House; 30,000-55,000-77,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
“A TALE OF TWO CITIES, THE MUSICAL” (Seoul): June 21-Aug. 11; Charlotte Theater, 60,000-80,000-110,000-130,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “CHICAGO” (Seoul): July 6-Aug. 31; The National Theater of Korea, Main Hall Hae; 40,000-60,000-80,000-100,000-120,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
GYEONGGI HWASEONG WORLD DINOSAUR FESTIVAL: Through June 23; features dinosaur-related exhibits such as fossils, mechanical dinosaur displays and more; areas around Eunjang Hill, in Mado-myeon Hwaseong-si Gyeonggi-do; ages 19-64 15,000 won, ages 13-18 12,000 won and ages 6-12, 10,000 won; +82-1661-1107; www.hwaseongdino.co.kr and http://tinyurl.com/cnc64cq.
MUSICAL “42ND STREET”: Seoul, through June 30; D Cube Art Center, 50,000-70,000-100,000-120,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MICHAEL JACKSON THE IMMORTAL BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL (Seoul): July 11-14; Olympic Park Gymnastics Gymnasium, 60,000-90,000-130,000-160,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL “WANDUGI” (Seoul): Through July 21; Art Center Grand Theater, Hongik University, 30,000-50,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “WORLD BEAT VINARI” (Seoul): Through July 31; Cine Core Theater 2; 40,000-50,000-60,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
“JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR” (Seoul): Through June 9; Charlotte Theater; 50,000-80,000-100,000-130,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
INTERNATIONAL GARDEN EXPOSITION SUNCHEON BAY: Through Oct. 20; Garden of the Earth; 7,000-11,000-15,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “THRILL ME” (Seoul): Through Sept. 29; Shinchon The Stage; 44,000-55,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “GREASE” (Seoul): open-ended run, 8 p.m., Mon., Wed.-Fri., 3 & 7 p.m., Sat., 2 & 6 p.m., Sun. & holidays, Dongsoong Art Center; 40,000-60,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
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