Featured Events in Japan in August, 2024 (May Updated)

Tokyo Toy Show 2024, taking place at Tokyo Big Sight - International Exhibition Center from August 29 to September 1, is Japan's premier event for the toy trade industry. Showcasing a wide array of toys, hobbies, party goods, stationery, baby and kids' gifts, apparel, and maternity-related items, the International Tokyo Toy Show offers a comprehensive display of products for children of all ages. In addition to games, amusement machinery, and character goods, attendees can explore various contents tailored for kids, including movies, music, publications, websites, sports, and outdoor activities. This annual exhibition provides a platform for industry professionals to network, discover the latest trends, and forge valuable business connections. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the innovation and creativity that define the Tokyo Toy Show, a must-visit event for anyone involved in the toy and children's products sector.

The Japan DIY HomeCenter Show 2024 is a premier event specializing in homeware products and furniture for home decor purposes. This exhibition showcases a wide array of products including interior shop items, outdoor leisure goods, houseware essentials, stationery, office supplies, furniture display equipment, paint, building materials, wood products, and much more. The event caters to a diverse audience including interior designers, builders, DIY enthusiasts, and other professional users looking for innovative solutions and inspiration for their projects. Whether you are a seasoned DIY advisor or a consumer seeking the latest trends in home improvement, the Japan DIY HomeCenter Show 2024 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba is the place to be from August 29 to August 31, 2024. Explore the latest offerings in the industry and connect with like-minded individuals in a vibrant and engaging environment.

This premium event is held exclusively for guests from the Jozankei area, with the walking trails of the hot spring town as the backdrop, and lighting and projection mapping will create a unique glow created in conjunction with nature. Made by up-and-coming creative collective NAKED. The hot spring water of Jozankei is a gift from the earth nurtured by dense forests. The story begins, taking you to the mysterious forest where Kappa lives. Kappa is the guardian of forests and water that has been loved by people since ancient times. In addition to staying at the hotel, you can also enjoy the fragrance of trees, the sound of the river, and the chirping of insects while taking a night walk with the kappa.

This exhibition introduces about 240 graphic works of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the famous artist of French fin-de-siècle, from the Firos Collection, one of the finest private collections of Lautrec in the world. The most unique quality of the Firos Collection is its focus on drawings. This exhibition introduces works that help visitors understand the artist and his art, such as lithographs, posters, and illustrations. It also includes magazines and books where Lautrec was involved in creating designs. The exhibition also comprises letters from Lautrec and photos of the artist taken by his friends and others.

This exhibition will be a unveiling of new items from Okazaki City's collection, and will feature a total of 147 pieces, including 91 of Ando's animal works and 56 of his forest car and motorcycle works. The works of the two artists, created with their experience and skilled handiwork, make the most of the freedom of the clay, and are full of kindness that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Please take your time to enjoy the exhibition.

The night sky at HANAZO becomes even more gorgeous! The collaboration with the spectacular light art installation "Mountain Lights", featuring fireworks set off at a summer ski resort, is very eye-catching. Surrounded by Mt. Niseko Annupuri and the starry sky, enjoy a moment that can only be experienced here. We recommend watching the mountain lights before the fireworks start. It is a special experience to immerse yourself in the art of light that is spread everywhere and watch the fireworks. In addition, the fire dance "Mountain Lights Kaguya Dance" that was very popular last year will be held again this year. Don't miss the wonderful performance that can only be experienced here! !

The Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (ETAT) is an international contemporary art festival held every three years in Japan. Since its inception, ETAT has been designed around the close relationship between humans and nature, and its art installations are selected and curated to effectively contribute to this narrative.

Opened in 1983 in Hachioji, Tokyo, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum houses a collection of approximately 30,000 paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs, ceramics, and other items from various eras, both domestically and internationally. In particular, its collection of Western paintings is one of the most comprehensive in Japan, covering everything from the Italian Renaissance of the 16th century to modern and contemporary art of the 20th century. This exhibition will feature more than 80 Western paintings selected from the museum's collection. In the West, mythological and religious paintings have traditionally been viewed as noble painting genres, but in modern times, painters' interests have turned to the development of innovative painting subjects and the innovation of image expression itself. Appreciate the 400-year history of Western painting through masterpieces by popular painters such as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Chagall, as well as by classical masters such as Tintoretto, Van Dyck, and Claude Lorrain.

The diverse forms and ecology of alpine plants that adorn the mountains in summer, as well as their connections with other living things, are introduced through numerous specimens and other materials, along with scientific knowledge. The museum also explains the current critical situation of alpine plants and conservation efforts. Learn about the diversity of alpine plants and experience their charm through powerful images and a immersive exhibition hall.

Toshio Iwai is the author of the famous picture book "100 Doors House" and one of Japan's top media artists. Iwai developed a passion for animation at a young age and established his own unique media art form through the "Time Layers" series, which uses modern technology to evolve flip comics and surprise discs. This exhibition connects Iwai's media art to the 19th century video equipment that is its origin, highlighting the intriguing visual experiences created by light and motion and the insatiable curiosity of the scientists and artists who created them.

Aiming to promote traditional Japanese culture to the world and target inbound tourists, this non-verbal stage show brings together fascinating icons of traditional Japanese culture, such as ninjas, kabuki, and wadaiko drums, to create a new dimension of expression. The content is a fusion of the high spirituality of the "Ninja" that has been passed down since the Middle Ages, the passionate acting of "Kabuki" that originated in the Edo period, as well as elements of "Japanese culture" such as the bewitching and beautiful performances of "Oiran" and the power of "Wadaiko" drums. Under the overall supervision of the Japan Ninja Council and top Kabuki musician Denjiro Tanaka, traditional culture that embodies Japanese culture and aesthetics will resonate with the cutting-edge technology of the nightclub to create a fascinating world, immersing visitors in a unique worldview and captivating audiences with new experiences and emotions.

Full of tradition and emotion, the Kamifukoka Tanabata Festival is held mainly in the shopping district around Kamifukoka Station. The area will be decorated with about 250 beautiful bamboo decorations made by the shopping district, neighborhood committees, and elementary and junior high school parent-teacher associations, and many stalls will be set up. There will also be colorful activities such as bamboo decoration competitions and various group stages. About 170,000 people visit during these two days every year, making it a popular festival for the local community.

The culture of the Edo period can be described as a culture of collection. Animals, plants, textile patterns, inro patterns, monograms, etc., all became objects of collection, and lists and encyclopedias were compiled. There are also books that quote content from ancient and modern times, both inside and outside the country, and are accompanied by explanatory texts and illustrations. These are collectively called "atlas" in Japan. This special exhibition focuses on the bird atlas "Bird Atlas" of the Edo period, introducing the colorful collection culture to everyone.

The Miurakaigan Noryo Festival Fireworks Display is a summer tradition held every year in early August on the Miura Peninsula. Miura Beach is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Miurakaigan Station on the Keihin Kyuko Line. Visitors can sit on the expansive beach and look up at the fireworks in a relaxed, open setting. Nicknamed the "Underwater Peacock," the underwater fireworks are launched from a barge and are a spectacular sight that is sure to amaze. Colorful lights illuminate the surface of the sea.

Experience the thrill of the U.S. - Japan Basketball Tournament taking place at the Atago Sports Complex in Iwakuni on August 10-11, from 9 AM to 6 PM. The tournament is open to Active Duty, SOFA, JMSDF, and IHA/MLC individuals aged 16 and above from MCAS Iwakuni and nearby areas. Teams are required to have a minimum of four players and can have up to 12 players on the roster. Each team will play three games with a single elimination format. Team captains from MCAS Iwakuni will handle online registration, while local nationals can register through the Atago Lotus Cultural Center Complex. Make sure to check-in at 8:30 AM on the event days to kick off the excitement. Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your basketball skills and compete in this thrilling tournament. For more information, contact Intramural Sports at 253-7332.