Things to do in Tokyo today

Spend an evening in Yokohama Bay Quarter marvelling at colourful paper lanterns – you’ll feel like you have been transported to the heritage town of Hoi An in Vietnam. Whether it’s during the day or at night, there are plenty of opportunities to get your Instagram shots here. And from June 15 to August 31, there will be food trucks outside serving iced cold beer, sandwiches and meals for you to enjoy on-the-go while taking in the postcard view.

Known as a 'love shrine', Kawagoe Hikawa in Saitama prefecture attracts plenty of hopeful singles seeking help in finding the partner of their dreams. This relatively new summer festival is another chance to do just that, as the hot summer night atmosphere and pretty light-ups (6.30pm-8pm) ensure that love is in the air. About 1,500 colourful fuurin (wind chimes) adorn the shrine grounds. There are also stalls selling food and drinks. Of note is the shrine café, where you’ll find wind chime-inspired ice cream (¥400).

This stellar a cappella performance at Tokyu Theatre Orb in Shibuya’s Hikarie shopping mall presents a series of Disney’s biggest hits. The six-member group don’t only sing but also produce melodies and sounds of different instruments using only their vocal cords. The stage is set up with three large screens to show scenes from popular Disney movies to match each of the 31 songs. With performances in English and Japanese, the show features Coco’s ‘The World Es Mi Familia’, Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’ and ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?’, Lion King’s ‘Circle of Life’, Encanto’s ‘We Don't Talk About Bruno’, and many more. The a capella group even sing medleys of songs from Disneyland theme park’s most beloved rides – think Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s a Small World, and the Haunted Mansion. Tickets start at ¥5,800 and can be purchased here.

Combine upscale izakaya fare with free-flowing Premium Malts beer at Yurakucho's Kotsu Kaikan, whose 13th floor rooftop is now a beer terrace. Opt for one of the all-you-can-drink deals (from ¥6,000) for unlimited beer, wine, umeshu, shochu and highballs, plus a variety of meaty dishes. With live music and gorgeous views facing Marunouchi, this summer beer terrace might just be a winner.

Step into an enchanted digital forest in this collaborative exhibition between teamLab and Galaxy. This interactive experience is based on the concept of catching different digital animals to study them before releasing them back into their habitat. Rather than using butterfly nets or jars to catch, however, visitors of this digital art space can use an app on their smartphone to collect different animals in the mystical forest.  Be gentle when approaching these critters! If you try to touch them they might run and disappear into the forest. Instead, aim your phone camera at them so they’ll appear on your screen. You can also work together with other exhibition visitors and create an observation net at your feet by surrounding the animals projected on the floor and shepherding them to the centre of the space.  While the exhibit is free, reservations are required so as to avoid overcrowding the venue. Each session is an hour long, with the exhibition open from 11am until 7pm daily. You can book a timeslot via the event website. The end date of this event is yet to be announced. 

Taking over the expansive outdoor lawn within the children’s play area at Meiji Shrine’s Outer Gardens, the Forest Beer Garden distinguishes itself from other boozy events in town with its lush green surrounds and bubbling waterfall. The popular two-hour all-you-can-eat (¥4,800) option includes everything from barbecue beef, pork and lamb to veggies, yakisoba, onigiri and even dessert. It includes an all-you-can-drink selection of Kirin and Heineken beers, highballs, sours, wine, soft drinks and more. Despite being one of the largest beer gardens in Tokyo with a capacity for around 900 people, the event can get extremely busy at weekends, so advance bookings are recommended.

From China to Dubai, this travelling showcase has been touring the world and it’s finally landing in Tokyo this summer. The special exhibition, held at Roppongi Midtown's open lawn, is here to celebrate the luxury fashion house’s 160-year-long history.  Expect to browse through Louis Vuitton's historical archives from the La Maison Heritage Collection as well as some of the latest ready-to-wear creations via an immersive digital experience. You’ll also be able to examine a selection of the brand's most iconic bags including the Speedy, Steamer and Twist styles. There's even a dedicated room for you to learn more about Louis Vuitton's iconic monogram.  Advance reservations are required – book your spot via Line.

Hotel Gajoen, known for its halls adorned with marvellous Japanese art, is hosting an art illumination exhibition at its famed Hyakudan Kaidan (100-step staircase), which is a registered tangible cultural property of Tokyo.  The theme ‘Light and Shadow: One Hundred Stories’ is inspired by the tradition of telling ghost stories in the summer to send a chill down your spin. The installations at each room use light and shadow to illustrate the stories, which progress as you walk further into the maze. You’ll see lanterns carved with ornate patterns and figures of ghosts, as well as illustrations of yokai (Japanese demons) in hidden places. Legend says that real ghosts will appear to greet you after you finish all 100 stories. Spooky tales aside, there’s no shortage of photo opportunities here, including the goldfish paper lanterns and bamboo lanterns by Akarinowa that adorn the entrance to the Hyakudan Kaidan Staircase. Entry costs ¥1,500 (students ¥800) per person, which you can purchase at the door, or get an early bird ticket online by July 1 for ¥1,200 (students ¥800).

Step into the mystical world of yokai (Japanese monsters and spirits) created by the late manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. This exhibition seeks to explore the inspirations behind the ‘Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro’ author’s otherworldly imaginations. Besides 100 of Mizuki’s artworks, you’ll also find yokai-related materials from his own collection such as ‘Gazu Hyakki Yagyo’ (‘The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons’) by Edo-era (1603-1868) painter Sekien Toriyama, and ‘Yokai Dangi’ (‘The Monologue of the Monsters’) by early Showa-era (1926-1989) folklorist Kunio Yanagita.  Remember to download the Street Museum app (Android/iOS) for a cool AR experience at the exhibition. With it you’ll spot different monsters popping up on your screen. Once you’re done exploring the spiritual world, drop by The Sun & The Moon café on the same floor to enjoy food and drinks inspired by Mizuki’s yokai. The exhibition takes place daily from 10am to 10pm (last entry 9pm).

Now showing at Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo is this magnificent installation by Chicago-born Rashid Johnson, a photographer and sculptor who is often identified as part of the post-Black movement. From ceramic pots to shea butter and walkie-talkies to African-American history books, the variety of materials Johnson uses in his ‘Plateaus’ (2014) installation is a reflection of Johnson's multifaceted upbringing that made him the artist that he is today.  According to Johnson, the pyramid-like framework he uses as the foundation of this piece is not intended to symbolise a hierarchy, but rather a unique synthesis of things he draws inspiration from.