Off-base festivities
Japan
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.
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.
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.
AUTUMN ROSE FESTIVAL: 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.
AUTUMN FESTIVAL OF NIKKO TOSHOGU SHRINE (Tochigi prefecture): Oct. 16-17; the festival’s highlight is the Samurai-style procession on Oct. 17, which commemorates the moving of the spirit of Ieyasu Tokugawa from Mount Kuno to Nikko and events include Yabusame horseback archery at Sannai on Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m. and the parade of 1,000 samurai at Toshogu Shrine Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.; two-hour ride from Asakusa on Tobu Asakusa-line; 0288-54-2496.
ANNUAL GRAND AUTUMN FESTIVAL OF YASUKUNI SHRINE (Tokyo): Oct. 17-20; various entertainments and traditional art of Japan 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Noh-gakudo stage and see chrysanthemum flowers Oct. 16-Nov. 5; a five-minute walk from Kudan-shita Station on Tozai Line and Hanzomon Line; 03-3261-8326.
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.
MUSICAL “ROMEO & JULIETTE” (Tokyo): Through Oct. 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.
NISSAN STADIUM 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.
KAWAGOE FESTIVAL (Saitama prefecture): Oct. 20-21, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; commemorating 90th anniversary of reorganizing a city from a town, 29 tall, decorated floats parade along the streets of Kawagoe city, where historic buildings and storehouses are preserved; Kawagoe Station, Tobu-Tojo Line and JR Kawagoe Line; 049-224-8811.
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.
KIBA NO KAKUNORI (Tokyo): Oct. 21; Kakunori — 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — consists of acrobatic stunts performed atop of ladders or rolling logs, and chikaramochi — 2:50 p.m. — refers to men tossing rice bales weighing 64 kg at each other or balancing the bales above their heads with one hand; Kiba Koen Park (4-1 Kiba, Koto Ward); 10-minute walk from Metro Kiba Station on Tozai Line; 03-3647-9819.
CHOFU AIRPORT FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; get the chance to ride on aircraft during the festival at Chofu Airport; 15-minute ride from JR Musashi Sakai Station on Chuo Line/10-minute ride from Chofu Station on Keio Line; 0422031-4191.
YOKOSUKA MIKOSHI PARADE (Kanagawa prefecture): Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.; Japanese citizens and U.S. Navy groups carry 76 mikoshi, or portable shrines, the is 10:30 a.m. at Yokosuka Chuo Station, and goes through Yokosuka Chuo O-Dori Street to Yokosuka Naval Base, and the 7th Fleet Band is performs noon & 1:15 p.m. at Benny Decker Theater, Yokosuka NB; 046-822-8301.
KYOTO JIDAI MATSURI FESTIVAL: Oct. 22; the highlight of History of Kyoto begins on Oct. 22, 794, when the Emperor Kammu chose this place as the site of Heian-Kyo, the new capital. Heian Shrine was established in 1895 to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto and to commemorate the Emperor Kammu. The shrine’s annual festival, Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages) is one of the three biggest festivals in Kyoto and the highlight of the festival is features a procession of 2,000 people dressed in the various historical styles and the procession starts at the Imperial Palace at noon, heading toward the shrine; 075-752-0227.
KURAMA NO HIMATSURI: Oct. 22; Kurama Fire Festival is a celebration held at Yuki Shrine in Kyoto and annually, people parade through the community holding some 500 torches and the origin of this tradition dates back to the Heian Period when village members would build a bonfire to greet the deity of the shrine. This annual festival attracts more than 10,000 spectators; 075-741-1670.
HEAVEN ARTISTS TOKYO: Oct. 26-28, noon-5 p.m.; about 100 street performances (licensed artists named ‘Heaven Artists’ in Tokyo) including juggling, comedy, entertainment, music and more at Ueno Park, five-minute walk from JR Ueno Station; 03-5320-7704.
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 500 yen adults, 200 yen kids and golf course is 500 yen adults, 200 yen kids; 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
ROUGH WATER SWIM JAPAN SERIES IN MIYAKOJIMA: Oct. 13-14; swim in the ocean in the following categories: 5K group, 3K & 1.5K individual & group relays (1 km x 3 persons); Maihama Beach in front of Miyakojima Tokyu Resort Hotel; 5,000 yen individuals, 10,500 yen groups; Miyako Islands; 0467-84-8639.
URUMA BULLFIGHTING & EISA DANCE: Oct. 20, 1 p.m.; Okinawa bullfighting (bull vs. bull) is particularly popular in central Okinawa along as well as Eisa dance; Ishikawa Multi-purpose Dome, Uruma city, 90-minute drive from Naha Airport; free; 098-965-4441.
YOMITAN POTTERY FESTIVAL: Oct. 20-21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Gala Aoiumi; buy Yomitan pottery produced by 20 local workshops at discount prices, plus charity auction; 60-minute ride from Naha or 20-minute walk from Yomitan Ufudo bus stop after taking a route 28 bus at Naha; 098-958-3940.
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.YOMITAN BULLFIGHT: Oct. 28, 2 p.m.; in an Okinawan bullfighting match, two bulls are placed horn-to-horn in the center of the ring and start battle butting heads and matches usually last 10-15 minutes; see 8 matches at Murasaki Mura Bull Ring, 17.5 miles north of Naha; free; 098-857-0185.
South Korea
MUSICAL, “PEER GYNT” (Seoul): Oct. 11-14; LG Arts Center, 40,000 won; http://tinyurl.com/3e6rwhe.
2012 F1 KOREAN GRAND PRIX: Oct. 12-14; Round 16 of 20 F1 Grand Prix at Korea International Circuit in Youngnum, Jeollanam-do; www.koreangp.kr.
“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.
KOREA FOOD FESTIVAL (Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do): Oct. 18-22; taste one of the world’s finest cuisines; www.koreafoodfestival.or.kr.
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.; teamsfrom 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., 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.
JEJU OLLE WALKING FESTIVAL (Jeju Island): Oct. 31-Nov. 3; explore and enjoy the stunning natural features of Jeju Island; www.jejuolle.org/.
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.
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