Off-base festivities
Events are as accurate as possible at press time. Since times or event schedules can change, please verify events before attending.
Japan
SPRING ROSE FESTIVAL IN IKUTA RYOKUCHI GARDEN (Kawagawa prefecture): May 17-June 3, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 9 a.m. weekends, closed Mon.; 4,700 trees and shrubs and 533 varieties of roses grow in this garden, and flowers bloom year-round; free; 15-minute walk from Shukugawara Station on JR Nambu-Line; 044-978-5270.
ASAKUSA SANJA MATSURI FESTIVAL (Tokyo): May 18-20; Sanja Matsuri was one of three great festivals in Edo -- the former name of Tokyo — and features about 100 mikoshi, portable shrines in which Shinto gods are symbolically placed into and paraded on the streets to bring good fortune to the local businesses and residents and smaller neighborhood mikoshi can be seen on the streets of Asakusa and three large mikoshi belonging to Asakusa Shrine will be delivered Sunday; Subway Asakusa Line, or Ginza Line, Asakusa Station on Asakusa and Ginza lines; 03-3844-1575; www.asakusajinja.jp/english/.
73RD SHIMODA BLACK SHIP FESTIVAL (Shizuoka prefecture): May 18-20; Shimoda Black Ship Festival commemorates the visit of U.S. Navy’s Commodore Matthew C. Perry to Shimoda in 1854 and the signing of the Kanagawa Treaty (U.S.-Japan Friendship Treaty), which opened Japanese ports including Shimoda to the Western world. U.S. Navy (Army) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have participated in the festival every year. May 18, 10:30 a.m., U.S. Army Band concert at Shimoda Higashi Junior High School, 2 p.m., U.S. Army Band concert at Gyokusenji Temple, 6 p.m., Hula dance at Madogahama Sea Park, 6:30 p.m., U.S. Army Band concert at Shimoda Post Office; 8:15-8:45 p.m., fireworks at Shimoda Port; May 19, 10 a.m., memorial ceremony of U.S.-Japan Friendship Treaty at Shimoda Park, 11:30 a.m., parade on main streets, 12:30 p.m., reenactment of signing U.S.-Japan Friendship Treaty at Ryosenji Temple, 1:20 p.m., Kimono-fashion show at Ryosenji Temple, 2 p.m., taiko (Japanese drums) performance at Bunka Kaikan parking, 5:45 p.m., Japan’s self-defense Maritime Band at Bunka Kaikan, 7:15 p.m., U.S. Army Band concert at Bunka Kaikan; May 20, 9:30 a.m., U.S.-Japan Friendship Softball game at Shikine Park, 10 a.m., Nigiwai (fun) concert, 11 a.m., Nigiwai (fun) parade on main streets, 12:30 p.m., reenactment of signing U.S.-Japan Friendship Treaty at Bunka Kaikan, 1:30 p.m., children’s taiko performance at Michi-no Eki Kaiko Shimoda Port, 2 p.m., U.S.-Japan tug-of-war at Michi-no Eki Kaiko Shimoda Port; Izukyu Shimoda Station; 0558-25-3500; www.shimoda-city.info/index_e.html.
AJINOMOTO STADIUM BIG FLEA MARKET (Tokyo): May 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; biggest regular flea market in Japan features about 800 booths; five-minute walk from Tobitakyu Station, Keio Line; 300 yen adults, kids free; 03-3226-6800.
TOKYO HANDCRAFT GUITAR FEST 2009: May 19, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., May 20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; see rare handcrafted guitars, basses and ukuleles from around the world along with mini-concerts and talk show; at Sumida Sangyo Kaikan Sunrise Hall, JR Kinshicho Station on Sobu Line; 1,200 yen (two-day ticket); 03-3505-7224.
MUSIC FESTIVAL ARGERICH’S MEETING POINT IN BEPPU (Oita prefecture): ends May 19; classical concerts; at B-con Plaza, iichiko Sogo Bunka Center and Kita Kyushu Soleil Hall, 15-minute walk from JR Oita Station; 0977-27-2299; http://tinyurl.com/6qhean6.
SPRING ROSE FESTIVAL IN YOKOSUKA VERNY PARK GARDEN (Kanagawa prefecture): May 19-20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; 2,000 trees and shrubs and 130 varieties of roses grow, and the rose garden is open through June 24; five-minute walk from Keikyu Shioiri Station; 046-824-6291.
TOKYO NOSTALGIC CAR SHOW: May 19-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; includes “Bat Mobile” and demonstrations of racing cars; Aomi Nishi Parking Lot, Odaiba; 1,500 yen, 12 & younger free; 050-3321-5401.
HANNO TWO-DAY WALK RALLY 2012 (Saitama prefecture): May 19-20; includes Nakuri Course on Sat.; 5, 10, 18, 20 and 30 km start and goal at Hanno City Hall; Agano Course: 10, 15, 20 and 30 km, start and goal at Hanno City Hall; five-minute walk from Higashi Hanno Station (east exit) on JR Hachiko/Seibu Ikebukuro-Lines or 15-minute walk from Hanno Station (north exit) on Seibu Ikebukuro-Line; 1,500 yen adults, 800 yen elementary and junior high school students; 042-972-6082.
AJINOMOTO STADIUM FLEA MARKET (Tokyo): May 19 & 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; about 800 booths; free; five-minute walk from Tobitakyu Station, Keio Line; 03-3226-6800.
KOGANEI PARK FLEA MARKET: May 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., more than 100 dealers at Koganei Park Ikoi Square, 10-minute bus ride from Musashi Koganei Station on JR Chuo-Line; 03-3384-6666.
OHI HORSE RACING TRACK FLEA MARKET (Tokyo): May 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; more than 600 dealers at No. 1 parking lot, five-minute walk from Ohi Keibajo-mae Station on Tokyo Monorail; 03-3384-6666.
JAPAN TOUR OF JAPAN: May 20-27, 10 teams from Japan and 6 teams from China, Ukraine, Australia, Iran, Malaysia and Singapore compete in this 581.85 km 6-stage cycling race May 20, 1:40 p.m., 1st stage, 2.65 km time trial in Daisen, May 22, 9:15 a.m., 2nd stage, 160.7 km in Mino, May 23, 8:45 a.m., 3rd stage, 148 km in Minami Shinshu, May 26, 9:30 a.m., 5th stage, 11.4 km time trial in Mount Fuji, May 27, 11 a.m., 6th stage, 112.7 km, Hibiya-Ohifuto in Tokyo; 03-3586-6230.
GRAND SUMO MAY TOURNAMENT (Tokyo): Through May 20; Ryogoku Kokugikan, Ryogoku Station, JR Sobu Line; 2,100-3,600-4,900-8,200 -14,300 yen; 0570-02-9311; http://sumo.pia.jp/en/.
SHOWA KINEN PARK CHERRY BLOSSOMS FESTIVAL (Tokyo): ends May 20, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; about 1,500 cherry trees; 3173 Midori-cho, Tachikawa city, Tokyo, one-minute walk from Nishi-Tachikawa Station, JR Ome Line; 400 yen adults; 042-528-1751; http://tinyurl.com/c8m2cke.
AZALEA BONSAI EXHIBITION (Yokohama): May 20-June 3, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; historic buildings and seasonal flowers are displayed in this Japanese-style garden in Yokohama and azalea bonsai are in the Outer Garden; Sankeien Garden, 10-minute bus ride from JR Negishi Station; 500 yen adults, 300 yen seniors, 200 yen kids; www.sankeien.or.jp/pdf/guidemap_english.pdf; 045-621-0634/5.
KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP SOCCER 2012 (Shizuoka prefecture): May 23, 7:15 p.m.; preliminary friendship match before 2014 FIFA World Cup features Japan national team vs. Azerlaijan national team; Shizuoka ECOPA Stadium, 15-minute walk from JR Aino Station on Tokaido-Line; 3,000-4,500-5,500-7,500 yen; 0570-05-2255; www.jfa.or.jp/eng/topics/2012/125.html.
EU FILM DAYS 2012 (Tokyo): May 25-June 16; European Union film fair featuring 21 movies including “The Guard” of Ireland, “Si Puo Fare” of Italy, “Looking for Eric” of England and “Leiutajatekula Lotte” of Estonia and “Karo Undo Der Liebe Gott” of Germany, “Sonny Boy” of The Netherlands, “Lat Den Ratte Kommain” of Sweden and others; National Film Center, one-minute walk from Kyobashi Station on Metro Ginza Line; 500 yen; 0305777-8600; http://eufilmdays.jp/en/index.php.
AIKIDO PERFORMANCE (Tokyo): May 26, noon-5 p.m.; five-minute walk from Kudanshita Station on Metro Tozai and Hanzomon Lines; free; 03-3203-9236.
SPRING ROSE FESTIVAL IN JINDAI BOTANICAL GARDENS (Tokyo): until May 27, 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 grow here, and flowers bloom year-round and 2 & 5 p.m. May 20 & 27, concerts and the garden is illuminated until 8 p.m. weekends; 500 yen for garden entrance; 5-31-10 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu City, Tokyo; Bus from Mitaka Station, JR Chuo Line, or Chofu Station, Keio Line, Jindaiji Shokubutsu Koen Mae bus stop; 0424-83-2300; www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_03.html#jindaibotanical.
KURIHAMA FLOWER GARDEN (Yokosuka): ends June 3; about 1 million poppy flowers in bloom and 2-4 p.m. June 3, guests can pick flowers; 15-minute walk from Keikyu Line or JR Kurihama Station; free; 046-833-8282.
KYU-FURUKAWA TEIEN GARDEN (Tokyo): ends June 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., until 9 p.m. through May 20; Spring Roses Festival features nightly illumination until 8:30 p.m. through May 20; seven-minute walk from JR Kaminakazato Station; 150 yen; 03-3910-0394; www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/.
CORMORANT FISHING (Gifu prefecture): ends Oct. 15; cormorant fishing (Ukai) on Nagara River is a famous type of traditional fishing in Japan and more than 40 sightseeing ships are set on Nagara at 6:15, 6:45 & 7:15 p.m. to observe usho (cormorant fishermen) catch sweetfish using trained cormorants; 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.
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/en/tds/index.html.
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
13TH BEACH VOLLEYBALL MIYAKOJIMA 2012: May 19, 2:30-5 p.m., May 20, 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.
22ND GINOWAN-KUME ISLANDS YACHT RACE: May 26, 6 a.m.; 55 mile yacht race from Ginowan Port marina to Kume Islands; 40 minute ride from Naha Airport; 098-985-8001.
South Korea
INCHEON CERAMIC FESTIVAL: through May 20; held annually since 1987 features exhibitions, demonstrations and sales; Seolbong Park; 031-644-2061-3; www.ceramic.or.kr.
MUSICAL “WICKED” (Seoul): May 29-July 31, Blue Square Musical Hall, 50,000-70,000-90,000-130,000-160,000 won; http://ticket.interpark.com/Global/index.asp.
MUSICAL “LOVERS IN PARIS” (Seoul): ends May 30; D Cube Art Center; 40,000-70,000-90,000-110,000 won; http://ticket.interpark.com/Global/index.asp.
THE MUSICAL, “GWANGHAMUM LOVE SONG” (Seoul): ends June 3; Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater, 50,000-80,000-110,000-130,000 won; http://ticket.interpark.com/Global/index.asp.
THE MUSICAL “ROLY POLY – OUR YOUTH” (Seoul): ends June 3; Universal Art Center, 55,000-70,000-88,000-99,000 won; http://ticket.interpark.com/Global/index.asp.
"POONGWALLJU” THE MUSICAL (Seoul): ends July 29; Culture Space NU, 40,000-50,000 won; http://ticket.interpark.com/Global/index.asp.
EXPO 2012 YEOSU KOREA: through Aug. 12; with the theme “The Living Ocean and Coast”; Yeosu, South Korea, one-hour flight from Seoul, plus a 30-minute bus ride from the Yeosu airport to the expo or by high-speed KTX train, three hours from Seoul to a train station near the expo site; one-day tickets are about $30, two days, $50, three days, $60. www.worldexpo2012.com/.
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; 1588-5212; http://tinyurl.com/782z6du.
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