Philippine Independence Day 107th anniversary and Migrant Workers' Day Festival
Tokyo: Asukayama Park (Oji station JR and Namboku subway, or Asukayamakoen station Toden Arakawa streetcar)
9:00 - 18:00, 12 June 2005
Stage performances, food, craft and clothing sales, Filipino satelite television and phone card sales, raffle, etc.

This week is annual "Science & Technology Week," and in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki, 47 national institutes and some private companies will host various events for all ages:
http://www.mexttci.go.jp/tci/kagiweek/2006/list-e.html

Free shuttle bus services will be available from TX(Tsukuba Express) Tsukuba Station from Wednesday to Sunday. The shuttle bus info is only in Japanese:
http://www.mexttci.go.jp/tci/kagiweek/2006/bus.html

It's not easy to visit several places in one day because you can easily spend a couple of hours at each institute, so plan ahead ;->

Asahi Beer Tour
April 22 to May 17, 10am to 3pm
http://www.asahibeer.co.jp/factory/brewery/ibaraki/sendo.html

This will be at the Ibaraki Brewery in Morita City, Ibaraki. The shuttle bus leaves the Tsukuba Express Moriya Station and Kanto Tetsudo Joso Line Moriya Station Central East(?) Exit every hour 10min and 40min after the hour. If you go there by car, then it’s 10min from Joban Expressway Yawara Exit, but you will need to bring a driver who’s not a drinker becauseE

This is a 90min tour, and the tour includes beer seminar, tour of the brewery, and beer tasting! The website says you can drink as much as you want for 30min!

Advance reservations are required for this special event, so please call or fax them first.

Some international festivals coming up in the next few weeks:

Thai Festival 2006
Saturday May 13th 10.00-20.00, Sunday May 14th 10.00-20.00
Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. Free. Thai music, food, handicrafts etc.
http://www.thaiembassy.jp/

African Festa 2006
Saturday May 20th 12.00-17.00, Sunday May 21 10.00 -17.00, Hibiya Park, Tokyo. Free. African food, music and other activities.
http://www.africanfesta.com/

Design Festa
International art and design event, with artists' booths, and live events on indoor and outdoor stages, plus international food and drink.
Saturday May 20th -Sunday May 21st, 11.00E9.00
Tokyo International Exhibition Center "TOKYO BIG SIGHT" (Odaiba)
Adults Y1,000 (on the door for one day pass; Y1,800 for two days, or Y800/Y1,500 for advance tickets), children under 12 free.
http://www.designfesta.com/02_en/00_df_e/index.html


Earth Festa Kanagawa 2006
Saturday June 3rd 10.30-17,30, Sunday June 4th 10.00-16.00
International food, music etc. Indoors if wet.
Kanagawa "Earth Plaza" (closest station: JR Negishi Line, Hongodai Station). Free.
http://www.k-i-a.or.jp/earthfesta/english/

Two big festivals to be held in Tsukuba and Hitachi Cities this weekend, May 13-14!

[Hitachi International Street Performance Festival]:
http://www.civic.jp/daidogei/index_pc.html

The festival has a evening performances called "Yakai - party in the moonlight" from 6 to 9PM. You can purchase a mask for Y200 and be part of the party:
http://www.civic.jp/daidogei/schedule/image/yakai_Img.gif

Arts and crafts market and the photo contest will be held at the same time, so this festival would be perfect for art lovers, too!

Oh, and don't forget to participate in the "stamp-rally," where you go around the city to collect stamps at various locations for a chance to win one of great prizes like hotel tickets, disney passports, free meals, gift packages and more.

[Tsukuba Festival (formerly known as Tsukuba International Exchange Fair)]:
http://www.kanko-tkb.net/hp/festival/

The festival sites are minutes from Tsukuba Station which is 45min from Akihabara, or about 30min from Kita-Senju.

I personally liked the old name/festival because it placed emphasis on international cultural exchange/mutual cultural understanding. Now it's more about promoting Tsukuba. Period.

Having said that, various countries and cultures will still be represented and you can try out meals from different countries and prefectures as always.

Shows like two one-hour magic shows by a professional magician will be held on Saturday, and various dance performances by international organizations will be held on Sunday:
http://www.kanko-tkb.net/hp/festival/img/fes02.jpg

The following events will take place at the same time.
-Othello tournament:
http://www.kanko-tkb.net/hp/osero/index.html
-One day Walk in Tsukuba:
http://www.kanko-tkb.net/hp/walk/index.html
-Special Tsukuba Science Bus Tour:
http://www.kanko-tkb.net/hp/festival/special.html
(Lots of freebies!)

Tsukuba International Exchange Festival is this weekend both Saturday and Sunday.
I've written a bit about the Festival at this page:
www.tokyowithkids.com/entertainment/festivaltsukuba.html
The best way to get there from Tokyo is by Tsukuba Express train from Akihabara station or from Kita Senju station.
The festival starts at noon on Saturday and at 10:00 on Sunday. It ends at 18:00 on Sat. and at 17:00 on Sunday. JWK will be there in a booth together with Alishan Organic Vegetarian foods.
Come visit!

Please keep in mind that there are already many pre-existing discussions that suit most posts, since these discussions have been around for a while. No need to start a new conversation!
____________________________
By Jellund on Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 07:05 am:
Great that the forums are open again! I cant find the "create new conversation" button so posting some info here instead

Thai Food Festival in Yoyogi this weekend - 12-13May
Info is on the thai embassy webpage here
http://www.thaiembassy.jp/thaifest2007/

Food Carnival at the Alishan Organic Center
Sunday June 3rd 11-5 PM.
Fresh organic veggies & seedlings for sale
ALL DAY free tasting party of favorite organic ingredients and dishes.
Classes
11pm Rice flour bread & cookie making,
12:30 Children’s corn muffin lesson,
2PM Fair Trade what is it really? and more!
Activities
Free music, mountain hiking trails and clean mountain stream wading within minutes.
Shopping
15% off sale at Tengu.

Rain or shine. We have big tents.
Tel: 042-982-4811 Fax: 042-982-4813, info@alishan.jp,
http://www.alishan-organic-center.com

TOKYO: Kishibojin Oeshiki Festival is next week October 16, 17 & 18. I've written a bit about this riveting festival at this page:
www.tokyowithkids.com/entertainment/festivaloeshiki.html
It is a night festival, and thus one of the more unusual festivals in Japan.

YOKOHAMA: CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Annual Christmas Bazaar at Saint Maur International School.
Where : Saint Maur International School
When : Sunday 18th November 2007
Time : 10:00 to 16:00
Free Admission, Rain or Shine !
Come to enjoy home made cakes, games for children, various vendors.
Directions available at:
http://www.stmaur.ac.jp/community/christmas.html

TOKYO: New Zealand Paradise Week in Roppongi Hills starts this weekend, 17th & 18th November.
Lots of wonderful NZ food and music. The main festival is at the Roppongi Hills arena, with various seminars on daily at the NZ Travel Cafe.

This is a link to the English program
http://home.e07.itscom.net/mfat/pdf/NZParadiseWeekPressReleaseE.pdf
and here is the Japanese version
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/ja/about-nz/features/ja-nz-paradise-week/
ja-nz-paradise-week_home.cfm

Paula Hanson is hosting an information desk at the NZ Travel Cafe for the next two Sundays as Referral Agent for Live and Learn New Zealand and Products From New Zealand. http://www.liveandlearnnewzealand.com

I have been trying to find out the times of the performers at the New Zealand Festival this weekend but the English information does not show it.

If anybody can read the Japanese version and post here what the times are, Hayley Westernra on Saturday in particular, I would be very grateful.

Hi Cathy,
Here is the schedule shown in Japanese.
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/ja/about-nz/features/ja-nz-paradise-
week/event-programme/schedule-roppongi/schedule-roppongi_home.cfm

11/17 Sat
10:30 - Open
10:55 - Introduction
11:00 - Live Performance by cat (20min)
11:30 - Live Performance by Hinewehi Mohi & Kapa haka Group (20min)
11:55 - official Opening
12:00 - Speech by New Zealand Ministry of Sightseeing
12:10 - tape cut
12:15 - Kose Gakusen Joshi, High school Performance (10min)
12:25 - Yokohama High, High school Performance 2 (10min)
12:40 - Talk show by Katsunori Takahashi (20min)
13:10 - Fashion Show by Huffer (20min)
13:35 - Performance by Kapa haka Group (20min)
14:25 - Live Performance by Rhombus (40min)
15:25 - Fashion Show by Nom*D (20min)
16:00 - Live Performance by Nesian Mystik (30min)
16:45 - Fashion Show by Sabatini White (20min)
17:20 - Live Performance by Strike (30min)
18:05 - Fashion Show by Cybèle (20min)
18:35 - Live Performance by Hinewehi Mohi & Group (25min)
19:15 - Live Performance by Hayley Westenra (30min)
20:00 ending

11/18(Sun)
11:00 - Opening
11:15 - Opening Speech
11:20 - Live Performance by Luia (20min)
11:50 - Fashion Show by Sabatini White (20min)
12:20 - Performance by Kapa haka Grioup (20min)
12:55 - Live Performance by Nesian Mystik (30min)
13:40 - Fashion Show by Cybèle (20min)
14:15 - Live Performance by strike (30min)
15:00 - Live Performance by cat (20min)
15:30 - Fashion Show by Huffer (20min)
16:20 - Live Performance by Rhombus (30min)
17:10 - Fashion Show by Nom*D (20min)
17:40 - Live Performance by Hinewehi Mohi & Group (20min)
18:00 - Ending Ceremony by Colo & Kylie (20min)
18:30 Ending

Hope it helps!

If you are not in the mood for turkey and don't have any plan for today, how about "unique" curry dishes? Tsuchiura Curry Festival is today from 10:00 to 15:00. The venue is Kawaguchi Undou Koen which is within walking distance of JR Tsuchiura Station. Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki is about 1 hour to 1.5 hours (or 30min or less if you come by car & if you use the expressway)from Tokyo depending on where you live.

http://www.city.tsuchiura.ibaraki.jp/section/sangyou/8001/pdf/kare.pdf

Earth Festa Kanagawa 2008
Saturday May 17, 10.30-17.30, Sunday May 18, 10.00-16.00
Kanagawa "Earth Plaza" (closest station: JR Negishi Line, Hongodai Station, Earth Plaza is located to the left of the station exit). Free.
http://www.k-i-a.or.jp/earthfesta/english/
"Earth Festa celebrates international cultures with music and dance performances, delicious food, interesting discussion topics and exciting intercultural exchange. Come share culture, conversation, and cuisine with people from around the world."

Tsukuba International Exchange Festival 2008 May 10 from noon - 18:00 and May 11 from 10:00 - 17:00
www.tokyowithkids.com/entertainment/festivaltsukuba.html

The best way to get there from Tokyo is by Tsukuba Express train from Akihabara station or from Kita Senju station. Less than an hour!

Tokyo: Thai Festival in Yoyogi Park May 10-11
Restaurants represented will include some from this list: www.thaitrade.com/japan/restaurant/index.html

Train planner: http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperd01.cgi

Earth Festa Kanagawa 2008
Saturday May 17, 10.30-17.30, Sunday May 18, 10.00-16.00
Kanagawa "Earth Plaza" (closest station: JR Negishi Line, Hongodai Station, Earth Plaza is located to the left of the station exit). Free.
http://www.k-i-a.or.jp/earthfesta/english/
"Earth Festa celebrates international cultures with music and dance performances, delicious food, interesting discussion topics and exciting intercultural exchange. Come share culture, conversation, and cuisine with people from around the world."

TOKYO, Oji: Migrant Workers' Day Festival
and Philippine Independence Day 110th anniversary
At Asukayama Park (Oji station JR and Namboku subway, or Asukayamakoen station Toden Arakawa streetcar)
9:00 - 18:00, 15 June 2008
Great stage performances, food, craft and clothing sales, Filipino satelite television and phone card sales, raffle, etc.

Xmas Bazaar in Yokohama in Yokohama at Saint Maur International School
Come to enjoy Kids' Games, Christmas Movies, Crafts, Santa's Grotto, Carol Singing, Raffle, Used Books, Thrift Store, International Food - Korean, Japanese, Indian, French, American, Irish Coffee, Mulled Wine, Baked Goods, Face painting and Hair braiding, Vendors and MORE !!!
Directions available at: http://www.stmaur.ac.jp/content/communities/communityevents.html
Where : Saint Maur International School
When : Sunday 13th November 2011
Time : 10:00 a.m. to 16:00
Free Admission, Rain or Shine !Tel : 045-641-5751.
83 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama.
Motomachi-Chukagai on the Toyoko line or Ishikawacho on the JR line are the closest stations