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Tokyo Events This Week: Sakura Historical Fest, St. Paddy's Day, Tokyo Anime Awards

What's a Cheapo to do this week?

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Tokyo Cheapo
March 09, 2026

Tokyo events for Monday, March 9, to Sunday, March 15, 2026.

This week, on top of a live koto gig in Shimokitazawa, catch traditional performances and reenactments in Chiba and Kanagawa. The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will add a splash of green to Omotesandō, and animated films will take over Ikebukuro.

Mar 12th

The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument that takes years to master. Enjoy fresh matcha tea as you take in this performance at Shimokitazawa’s Tsukimasa café, a tea shop that has been operating since 1978.

Mar 14th

The Sakura Jidai Festival brings history to life with a variety of events, performances, and hands-on activities. Watch traditional martial arts demonstrations, lively taiko drumming, and dance parades.

Mar 14th - 15th

One of the festival’s biggest draws is the Samurai Warrior Procession through Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street, portraying Minamoto no Yoritomo. This reenactment honors the legendary general’s pilgrimage to Enoshima Shrine.

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Mar 14th - 15th

St. Patrick’s Day in Tokyo is celebrated each year with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held along Omotesandō Avenue. 2026 will mark the 30th parade and the 10th anniversary of the Green Ireland Festival.

Mar 14th - 15th

Try your luck at some salsa dancing — don’t worry if you’re not a pro, the event will be so packed that no one is focusing on your moves, so let loose! Once you’re all tuckered out from all that boogieing, refuel at the Latin American food and drink stalls.

Mar 13th - 16th

Along with Anime Japan, the Tokyo Anime Award Festival is another great event to celebrate international and local animated films. Some films, such as those in the Feature Animation Competition program, will include subtitles in Japanese and English.

Mar 13th - 22nd

Tokyo Creative Salon will host a range of fashion and design-related events. They will span nine iconic areas, including Marunouchi, Nihonbashi, Ginza, Akasaka, Shibuya, Harajuku, Haneda, Roppongi, and Shinjuku.

Mar 13th - 15th

Close to 300 vendors from all over Japan come to sell their wares, which range from Japanese antiques to Japanese crafts. You’ll find more professional antique dealers than people trying to offload what they found in the attic, so expect higher prices and quality.

Feb 21st - Mar 22nd

Ōme is the place to be if you want both a view of plum blossoms and a fun-filled event that includes tours, dances, performances, and marches. Replanted in 2014, the trees might not be as big as other places, but the fun of this festival extends beyond the pink blossoms.

Mar 14th - 15th

At the Takao Baigo Plum Village Festival, you can take all the gorgeous plum blossom shots you want, as well as wander by food stalls, stamp rallies, and even spirited dances to set the mood.