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
CEATEC JAPAN (Chiba prefecture): Oct. 6; biggest IT and electronics event in Asia for disseminating and exchanging related media and information; at Makuhari Messe, seven-minute walk from JR Kaihin Makuhari on Keiyo Line; free if you register by computer in advance; 03-6430-3193; www.ceatec.com/2012/en/.
F1 GRAND PRIX (Mie prefecture): Oct. 6-7; Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka – Round 15 of 20, renovated in 2008 and a very tough circuit that attracts enormous crowds, will offer a race for the 2012 season championship between Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, Lotus’ Kimi Raikonen, Red bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Vettel’s teammate Mark Webber; Suzuka City, from Tokyo, take the Tomei Expressway and leave at the Suzuka Interchange, the nearest station to the Suzuka Circuit is Shiroko, which is a 20-minute walk or a 15-minute bus ride from the track. An express train from Nagoya to Shiroko takes around 40 minutes; 62,000 yen, 0570-000-777; www.suzukacircuit.jp/f1/.
HOKKAIDO FAIR (Tokyo): Oct. 6-8; at Yoyogi Park, five-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station; 080-6067-2276.
MISS VEEDOL TOBE — TOBE CONTEST 2012 (Aomori prefecture): Oct. 6, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; commemorating the first successful nonstop flight across the Pacific Ocean from Misawa to Wenatchee, Washington State, by U.S. aviators Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon Jr. in 41 hours and 13 minutes; paper airplane contest at Misawa Ozora Hiroba, 10-minute drive from Misawa Airport; NPO Take off Misawa 0176-50-7000.
TSUCHIURA ALL JAPAN FIREWORKS COMPETITION (Ibaraki prefecture): Oct. 6, 6-8:30 p.m.; about 20,000 fireworks at Sakuragawahan, 20-minute walk from Tsuchiuwa Station on JR Jyoban Line; 029-826-1111.
TAMAGAWA RIVER WALKING FESTA (Tokyo): Oct. 6; six courses from 4-50 km along river, starting at Haginaka Koen and finishing at Gas Bashi (bridge) Ryokuchi, 4-26-46, Haginaka, Ohta-ku; 03-5256-7855.
RAILROAD FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Oct. 6-7; items on display and on sale, plus game shows, food booths, mini-locomotive train rides and more at Meiji Park, near National Stadium, and Jingu Stadium, near four-minute walk from JR Sendagaya Station on Sobu-Line or a four-minute walk from Kokuritsu Kyogijo Station on Oedo-Line; 03-3444-6606.
MUSICAL “ROMEO & JULIETTE” (Tokyo): Oct. 6-21; in French and subtitled in Japanese; 11th floor at Shibuya Hikarie at Tokyo Theatre Orb; JR Shibuya Station; 5,000-9,000-13,000 yen; 03-3477-3244.
RAKUTEN JAPAN OPEN TENNIS 2012 (Tokyo): Through Oct. 7; world pros including Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Janko Tipsarevic, Juan Monaco, Cicolas Almagro, Milos Raonic, Gilles Simon, Kei Nishikori and more are to compete at Ariake Colosseum; 4,000-5,000 yen (Sept. 30), 6,000-7,000-9,000-11,000-19,000-24,000 yen (Oct. 1-2); 7,000-8,000-9,000-11,000-13,000-21,000-26,000 yen (Oct. 3-4); 10,000-11,000-12,000-16,000-18,000-26,000-31,000 yen (Oct. 5), 11,000-12,000-13,000-20,000-22,000-30,000-35,000 yen (Oct. 6-7), two-minute walk from Ariake Tennis-no mori Station on Yurikamome Line or six-minute walk from Kokusai Tenjijo-mae Station on Rinkai-Line; 03-3481-2511; http://tinyurl.com/8opaxr7.
HUIS TEN BOSCH GARDENING WORLD CUP SHOW (Nagasaki prefecture): Through Oct. 8; gardens designed by the world’s top-ranked gardeners displayed at Huis Ten Bosch; 0956-27-0001; www.gardeningworldcup.com.
SPORTS DAY: Oct. 8; This Japanese national holiday held the second Monday in October commemorates the opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
HAGI FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Through Oct. 8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; hagi, a Japanese bush clover that is one of the symbolic autumn flowers, is offered before the tablet of the deceased during autumn equinox; Mukoujima Hyakka-en Garden, 3-18-3 Higashi-Mukoujima, Sumida-ku, eight-minute walk from Higashi-Mukoujima Station, Tobu Isezaki Line; 150 yen admission; 03-3611-8705.
28TH MORI NO TAKIGI NOH (Tokyo): Oct. 8, 6:15 -8:30 p.m.; Takigi Noh (Bonfire Noh), a beautiful and mystic musical theater lit by bonfires at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden; 5,500-6,500 yen; Shinjuku Gyoen, Shinjuku-mon (gate) is only available for Takigi Noh due to regularly closed-hours after 4:30 p.m.; 10-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station; 03-3344-3160; www.shinjukuku-kankou.jp/.
AUTUMN TAKAYAMA FESTIVAL (Gifu prefecture): Oct. 9-10; the festival, which marks the arrival of autumn in Takayama city, originated as a showcase for the wealth of the city’s merchants and the skills of its craftsmen and 1-3:20 p.m. Oct. 9, see a parade of 10 floats and Oct. 10, 8:30-9:30 a.m. & 1:30-3:40 p.m., and in the evening, lanterns on the floats are lit and floats are drawn through the streets; 0577-32-5328.
2012 WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP (Shizuoka prefecture): Oct. 12-14, WEC 6-hour endurance race, round 7 of 8, at Fuji Speedway, 15-minute ride from Gotemba IC or a 30-minute ride from Ohi-Matsuda IC on Tomei Express or a 10-minute ride from Subashiri IC on Higashi Fuji Goko Highway; 8,500 yen; 0550-78-1235; http://tinyurl.com/ckps9ng.
ADACHI FIREWORKS (Tokyo): Oct. 13, 6 p.m.; 15,000 fireworks beside the Arakawa River, 15-minute walk from Kitasenju Station on Tobu-Line/JR/Metro/Tsukuba Express; 03-3880-5853.
2012 AUTUMN/WINTER TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION (Saitama prefecture): Oct. 13, 3 p.m.; Saitama Super Arena, near Saitama Shin Toshin Station on JR Keihin Tohoku Line; 5,000-7,000-9,500-15,000 yen; 0570-064-708 Kyodo Tokyo.
2012 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – 15th ROUND JAPAN (Tochigi prefecture): Oct. 12-14; Twin Link Motegi; 9,000-12,000-14,000-16,000 yen adults, 1,000-1,500 yen ages 15 and younger; 0285-64-0080; http://tinyurl.com/9nrytgs.
AUTUMN ROSE FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Oct. 13-28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; this 30,780-square-meter garden has a Western-style garden on the slope, with blooming roses, and a Japanese garden on the lowland; 30-minute concerts 1 & 3 p.m. Oct. 11, 18 & 25; Kyu-Gurukawa Teien Garden, 1-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo, 12-minute walk from JR Komagome Station, Yamanote Line; 150 yen; 03-3910-0394; www.tokyo-park.or.jp.
KASAMA INARI JINJA CHRYSANTHEMUM FESTIVAL (Ibaraki prefecture): Oct. 13-Nov. 23; this festival began in 1890; Kasama Inari Museum and Kasama Inari special Chrysanthemum decorated dolls exhibition, 800 yen adults, 400 yen kids; 0296-73-0001; www.kasama.or.jp.
MARUNOUCHI NAKADORI AVENUE GARDENING SHOW 2012 (Tokyo): Through Oct. 14; in the Marunouchi business district, includes gardening contest, gardening seminars and special autumn flower sales; JR Tokyo Station; 03-3265-8300; http://tinyurl.com/9m4aewa.
KANAGAWA MARCHING BAND & BATON TWIRLING FESTIVAL: Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m.; Yokohama Arena, five-minute walk from JR Shin Yokohama Station; 3,000 yen adults, 2,000 yen kids; 03-6231-6033.
CORMORANT FISHING (Gifu prefecture): Through Oct. 15; more than 40 sightseeing ships are set on Nagara at 6:15, 6:45 & 7:15 p.m.; fare is 3,000-3,300 yen/person; Nagara River Cormorant Fishing Boat Reservations 058-262-0104; http://tinyurl.com/9s87eqd. 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 http://tinyurl.com/8vuae62.
TOKYO ENGLISH LIFE LINE WINE CONNOISSEURS’ AUCTION: Oct. 19, 5:30 p.m.; dinner, wine tasting and auction to benefit mental health services for foreigners in Japan at Australian Embassy, eight-minute walk from Azabu Juban Station on Oedo-Line or Nanpoku-Line; 18,000 yen; http://tinyurl.com/d2gzzs6.
KAWAGUCHI FLEA MARKET (Saitama prefecture): Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; about 50 booths at Kawaguchi East Exit Qupola Square, near JR Kawaguchi Station; Citizen Recycle Center 03-3226-6800.
SAITAMA STADIUM BIG FLEA MARKET (Saitama prefecture): Oct. 20; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; more than 450 amateur and licensed antique dealers participate; 15-minute walk from Urawa-misono Station on Saitama Kosoku Tetsudo; free; 0180-99-3355.
FLEA MARKET (Kanagawa prefecture): Oct. 20-21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; more than 300 dealers participate in flea market at Yokohama Stadium; five-minute walk from JR Kozukue Station on Yokohama-Line or 15-minute walk from JR Shin Yokohama Station; 03-3226-6800.
BIG FLEA MARKET (Tokyo): Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; about 800 booths; Ajinomoto Stadium, five-minute walk from Tobitakyu Station, Keio Line; 300 yen; 03-3226-6800.
25TH TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: Oct. 20-28; 17 films compete in the main section and 109 films for other categories and event starts opens with Ridley Scott’s new film “Japan in a Day” and Matthew Moore’s new film, “Julian”; Shibuya and Roppongi movie theaters; 1,000-1,300-1,800-2,500 yen; 03-3524-1085; tiff-jp.net/en/.
OEDO ANTIQUE FAIR (Tokyo): Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; more than 250 licensed antique dealers; in the courtyard of Tokyo International Forum, 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, one-minute walk from Yurakucho Station, JR Yamanote Line; 03-5805-1093.
HIBIYA PARK GARDENING SHOW 2012 (Tokyo): Through Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; gardening contest, seminars on care of flowers and gardening, concerts and special discount sales; two-minute walk from Kasumigaseki Station on Marunouchi and Chiyoda lines; 03-3232-3097.
COSMOS GARDEN (Yokosuka): Through Oct. 28; one million cosmos flowers in bloom and on the last day, visitors can pick the flowers at 2 p.m.; Kurihama Flower World, 1 Shinmei-cho, Yokosuka city, Kanagawa prefecture, 15-minute walk from Kurihama Station, Keikyu and JR Yokosuka Lines; free, herb garden is additional 500 yen adults, 200 yen children and golf course is additional 500 yen adults, 200 yen children; 046-822-8361.
TOKYO BIG SIX BASEBALL LEAGUE: Through Oct. 28; Waseda University, 2012 All Japan College Baseball tournament champion, challenges; Jingu Stadium, six-minute walk from JR Suidobashi Station; 1,100 yen for infield bleachers, 700 yen for outfield bleachers; 03-3409-5610.
DISNEY HALLOWEEN: Through Oct. 31; twice-daily parade including more than 90 Disney-costumed characters at Disneyland and 110 Disney-costumed characters also twice daily at DisneySea; Tokyo Disneyland, two-minute ride from Resort Gate Station/Maihama Station, JR Keiyo Line; 6,200 yen adults, 5,300 yen ages 12-17, 4,100 yen ages 4-11; 0570-00-8632; http://tinyurl.com/cwsmso7.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN – SURPRISE HALLOWEEN: Through Nov. 11; join in Halloween costume parade held daily and go trick or treating, and 6 p.m. Fri.-Mon. is Halloween Horror Night “Bio Hazard”; Universal City Station on JR Yumesaki-Line; 6,400 yen adults, 4,300 yen kids and after 3 p.m. cost is 5,200 yen adults, 3,900 yen kids; 06-6465-3000; www.usj.co.jp/e/.
WHALE SHARK VIEWING: open-ended run; see 4.9-meter-long and 5.4-meter-long whale sharks at feedings and performances; Hakkeijima Sea Paradise; Seaside Line, Hakkeijima Station; 4,200 yen adults, 3,000 yen children; 045-788-8888; www.seaparadise.co.jp/english/.
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.
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
NAHA TUG OF WAR: Oct. 7, 2:30-5 p.m.; about 15,000 people pulling on a 200-meter giant rope is the highlight of the Oct. 8-10 festival; Route 58, Kumoji intersection; 098-866-4858.
25TH IZENA 88 TRIATHLON: Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; swim (2 km), bicycle (66 km) and marathon (20 km) race held at Izena Beach, Izena Island; 0980-50-7220.
3RD ECO ISLAND MIYAKOJIMA MARATHON: Oct. 21; full marathon 8:30 a.m., half marathon 9 a.m.; Miyakojima-shi Track and Field, 10-minute ride from Miyako Airport and Taira Port; 5,000 yen adults, 3,000 yen senior high school students; 0980-73-1881.
18TH IHEYA MOONLIGHT MARATHON: Oct. 27, 3 p.m.; the only official marathon in Japan held at night, with a half marathon at 5 p.m.; 0980-46-2867/2177.
2012 KUMEJIMA MARATHON: Oct. 28, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; full marathon at Nakazato Ball Park, followed by half-marathon, 5 & 10 km races; 4,000 yen for marathon and half-marathon 3,500 yen for 5 & 10 km; 098-985-7106.
South Korea
“POLLONIA” THE MUSICAL: Seoul, Oct. 6-7, Arko Art Theater; 30,000-50,000-70,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
“A TALE OF TWO CITIES,” THE MUSICAL (Seoul): Through Oct. 7; Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater, 50,000-70,000-100,000-120,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL “INTO THE MOONLIGHT”: Through Oct. 7; Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, M Theater, Seoul; 10,000-20,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “CHICAGO” (Seoul): Through Oct. 7; D Cube Art Center, 40,000-70,000-90,000-110,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “MAN OF LA MANCHA” (Seoul): Through Oct. 7; Charlotte Theater, 60,000-80,000-110,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “WICKED” (Seoul): Through Oct. 7; Blue Square Musical Hall; http://tinyurl.com/crgg3uy.
MUSICAL, “CLOSING OF LOVE” (Seoul): Oct. 9-10; Daehangno Arts Theater Small Hall, 30,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “PEER GYNT” (Seoul): Oct. 11-14; LG Arts Center, 40,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rw
he.
“JEKYLL AND HYDE,” THE MUSICAL: Busan, Oct. 12-21, Busan Citizen Hall; 50,000-70,000-110,000-130,000 won; Gyeonggi, Nov. 3, 3 & 7:30 p.m., Nov. 4, 2 & 6:30 p.m.; Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House; 55,000-88,000-99,000-110,000-120,000 won; Incheon, Nov. 9-11, Incheon Culture & Arts Center Grand Theater;77,000-88,000-99,000-110,000-130,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
“THE ODYSSEY,” THE MUSICAL: Seoul, Oct. 13-15, Daehangno Arts Theater Grand Hall, 30,000-50,000-70,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “A TALE OF TWO CITIES” (Seoul): Through Oct. 17, Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater, 50,000-70,000-100,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
KOREAN NATIONAL BALLET’S SWAN LAKE (Gyeonggi): Oct. 19, 8 p.m., Oct. 20, 3 p.m.; Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House, 30,000-50,000-70,000-100,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “HEDWIG” (Seoul): Through Oct. 21; KT&G Sangsang Art Hall, 55,000-66,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL: Oct. 22, 6-27, 8-9:30 p.m.; teams from U.S., Poland, Japan and China compete in a 15-minute fireworks show at Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge area; and Oct. 29, 8-9 p.m., flying high-themed fireworks at Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge area; www.bff.or.kr/ENG.
THE MUSICAL, "THE SORROWS OF YOUNG WERTHER" (Seoul): Oct. 25-Dec., 16, Universal Arts Center, 50,000-80,000-100,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
THE MUSCIAL, "GULLIVER’S TRAVELS" (Seoul): Oct. 26-28, CTS Art Hall, 27,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “THE MISSING PRINCE” (Seoul): Through Oct. 28, Daehakro Art One Theater 1; 40,000-60,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “FANTASY PERFORMANCE, KARMA,” (Seoul): Through Oct. 31, Gaya Theater, 44,000-55,000-77,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “SHERLOCK HOLMES” (Seoul): Through Nov. 4, Doosan Art Center, Yongkang Hall, Fanta-Stick Theatre, 40,000-60,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.MUSICAL, “FANTA-STICK” (Seoul): Through Dec. 31, Fanta-Stick Theatre, 40,000-50,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
MUSICAL, “WORLD BEAT VINARI” (Seoul): Through July 31; Cine Core Theater 2; 40,000-50,000-60,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
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/3e6rwhe.
To see your listings here, e-mail: PSSEDTLibrary@mail.pstripes.osd.mil.
