Patrick Balfe
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As seen in:
Tokyo Cheapo,
Time Out,
Stars and Stripes,
Tone Deaf,
The BRAG,
Metropolis Magazine (Japan)
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Articles by Patrick Balfe
Kabukichō Area Guide | Tokyo Cheapo
Kabukichō is Tokyo’s biggest and most famous red-light district, with more bars, pubs, and drinking establishments than you can poke a stick at. It’s a little flashy and a little seedy, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary for this type of neighborhood. What’s new in Kabukichō? Understandably, Kabukichō has undergone a lot of changes in recent years, but things are gearing up again. Kabukichō Tower is a shiny new entertainment complex that opened in 2023 to a lot of fanfare.
Halloween Ball 2026 – Dedicated to Mr. Death
Garage punk’s spookiest get-together returns to Shinjuku Loft in October. An institution on Tokyo’s underground calendar, Halloween Ball packs more than 60 bands into two days, October 17 and 18, kicking off at noon. Ten overseas acts are making the trip, including Australia’s The Fiction, Denmark’s Columbian Neckties, Italy’s Superhorror and Mexico’s Carrion Kids, while Japanese garage-punk icons Guitar Wolf play on Sunday.
Koenji Area Guide | Tokyo Cheapo
Koenji is a lively stop on the Chou line with a reputation for live music, just a short distance away from Shinjuku. According to a resident, “Koenji is a great neighborhood. It’s a lot like Shimokitazawa but the average age might be a few years older and the scale is a little smaller, which makes it fun for walking around on a weekend afternoon.
Japan Arrival Checklist: 7 Things to Do When You First Arrive
You’ve landed. Beehind you is a 12-hour flight and a meal you still can’t quite identify. Ahead of you is a country you’ve been planning to visit for months — and a fairly narrow window in which to make a few decisions that could save you some time and stress down the track. Japanese airports are well organized, and almost everything you need is in the arrivals hall. The trick is knowing what to do while you’re still standing in it.
Japan Travel Checklist: 10 Things to Do Before You Fly
Booking the flight is the fun part. Then comes the bit where you realize you have no idea whether your phone will work when you land, whether your hay fever tablets are legal, or why everyone keeps telling you to bring cash. Here’s the good news: Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel around once you’re actually in it.
5 of the best gigs to catch in Tokyo this October
Some might call it Spooky Season; others might just call it welcome relief from unbearable weather. Whatever you call it, October is bubbling over with opportunities for music fans to layer up and see a gig in Tokyo. This month, Shinjuku Loft throws a multi-venue party, Shibuya’s WWW puts on an experimental music showcase and a beloved Australian indie group makes its long-awaited debut in Japan.
Tokyo Events This Week: Dance and Eat Your Way Around the City
Tokyo events for Monday, September 28, to Sunday, October 4, 2026. Food and music take center stage this week, with plenty of chances to dance and munch your way around the city. In particular, Chōfu Saisaisai Festival and Salsa Street Festival combine the best of both worlds. The Hokkaidō Fair in Yoyogi and Miura Night Market offer plenty of local delicacies, and the Vegan Gourmet Festival delivers meat-free options. Never miss a freebie! Sign up for our events newsletter.
Less Than Jake Japan Tour 2026
Dust off your skanking shoes because Less Than Jake are heading to Japan. The ska-punk five-piece are playing shows in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, and bringing California’s Voodoo Glow Skulls and Osaka’s Dizzy Sunfist along for the ride. The tour follows the June release of the split EP Unity with Osaka ska-punk band Hey-Smith and the new single ‘Another Hostage Situation’, a previously unreleased B-side from their 2024 effort Uncharted.
Ezra Collective: ‘Here Because of Hope’ Tour
British jazz quintet Ezra Collective are bringing their latest album to Tokyo this October. The release, entitled Here Because of Hope, debuted at number 1 on the UK’s album charts. Divided into three parts, the 17-track work traces the lineage of Black music through generations across Africa, the Caribbean and Britain, featuring collaborations with musicians from the worlds of rap, reggae and Afro-soul.
DialHouse Extra | WWW | Music in Tokyo
WWW’s long-running DialHouse event series welcomes influential noise-rock duo Melt Banana amid the band’s busy international touring schedule. The expanded event takes place over three stages at WWW and WWWβ, showcasing experimental and alternative artists as part of the venues’ ongoing anniversary celebrations. Melt Banana will be joined by emerging artists such as Sagosaid, newcomers Wanbed and Hyper Gal, fresh off a new album release and European tour.
The Spellbound x Boom Boom Satellites present Michiyuki Kawashima 10th Memorial Live: ‘Front Chapter’ Decade Tour
The Spellbound x Boom Boom Satellites heads to SGC Hall on October 9 to mark a decade since the death of Boom Boom Satellites vocalist and guitarist Michiyuki Kawashima. The show is the sixth and final of the commemorative tour in which The Spellbound members have been performing under the The Spellbound x Boom Boom Satellites moniker.
Shinjuku Loft 50th Circuit
Shinjuku Loft continues its 50th birthday celebrations with yet another heavy-hitting party, this time spanning multiple venues. The event will see over 60 artists and bands hit stages at nine spots across Shinjuku. The diverse line-up traverses genres as well as generations, with up-and-coming artists like Cat Ate Hotdogs and DNA Gainz playing alongside indie circuit veterans like Cinema Staff, Lunkhead and Sparta Locals.
Spacey Jane | Space Odd | Music in Tokyo
Western Australian indie rock outfit Spacey Jane are making their way to Japanese shores for the first time this October. Achieving breakout success during the pandemic, the quartet has since gone on to bash out successful tours of Europe and North America, and make appearances at international festivals like Governors Ball, Lollapalooza and Osheaga.
Tokyo Events This Week: Moon Art Night, Fall Fests, and Peace Day
Dates:Sep 24, 2026 Roppongi Matsuri The gods enshrined at Tenso Shrine — located between Tokyo Midtown and the National Art Center — go for a spin around the neighborhood in their fancy (little) portable shrines on the Sunday starting at 12:30 p.m. Experience the Traditional Art of Kintsugi Dates:Sep 27, 2026 Entry:Free Nezu Shrine Festival The festival has been held since the days when Tokyo was still Edo, when it ranked among the city’s grandest.
Tokyo Events This Week: Burlesque, Sumo, and Elaborate Floats
Dates:Sep 14–Sep 16, 2026 Entry:Free The American Burlesque at Tokyo International Comedy Festival Tokyo International Comedy Festival 2026 is teaming up with The American Burlesque for one night only in Tokyo. Frankie Fictitious and Matt Finish, crowned Queen and King of the world’s most prestigious burlesque competition, will share the stage with some of Tokyo Comedy Bar’s best and brightest comedians.
Tokyo Events This Week: Autumn Festivals, Live Music, and Fireworks
Dates:Sep 12–Sep 13, 2026 Entry:Free Asakusa Kokusai Street Beat Festival The Asakusa Kokusai Street Beat Festival celebrates Eisa, a folk dance from Okinawa. Several volunteer groups will parade the street, dancing and banging on drums. Earn extra income as a clinical study participant! Dates:Sep 13, 2026 Entry:Free Akasaka Hikawa Festival The festival features restored dashi, which are traditional wheeled floats.
5 of the best gigs to catch in Tokyo this September
While summer festival season might be behind us, there’s still plenty to see for music fans around Tokyo this September. Despite wrapping up in July, Fuji Rock is bringing its Rookie a Go Go stage to Shibuya this month, and one of the festival’s buzziest acts is heading to Ebisu for a show. A Kyoto indie favourite is holding a special performance, and a viral Australian choir event will make its return to the city.
Tokyo Events This Week: Asakusa Bon Dance, China Festival, and Tokyo Handmade Marche
Dates:Sep 4–Sep 5, 2026 Entry:Free Ōtori Shrine Annual Festival Ōtori Shrine has a history that goes back more than 300 years — to the first year of the Edo period. A performance of Satokagura, a traditional dance and music performance recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, will be offered as a dedication to the gods.
Homecomings: Many Shapes, Many Echoes
Kyoto’s Homecomings are once again hitting Club Quattro venues across the country. The third iteration of their annual ‘Many Shapes, Many Echoes tour’ will take them to Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo this September with some amazing support artists in tow. Joining them at the Tokyo show on September 23 will be alt-pop duo Ivy and local indie rock stalwarts DYGL, while Regallily and The Novembers will perform in Osaka and Nagoya respectively.
Pub Choir | WWW X | Music in Tokyo
Pub Choir is the brainchild of Australian singer, conductor and composer Astrid Jorgensen. Starting at pubs in Brisbane in 2017, the project has since travelled the world, bringing audiences together to learn a popular song in three-part harmony in about 90 minutes, then sing it together. Jorgensen acts as the teacher and conductor; as she puts it, the goal is to turn a crowd of ‘tipsy strangers’ into a choir.
Us Japan Tour | Liquidroom | Music in Tokyo
Finnish garage rockers Us are returning to Japan this September for a short run of shows. One of the most talked-about acts of Fuji Rock 2024, they played an unheard-of six shows over the weekend and have returned to the festival every year since. In 2026, they’re touring with the new album Everybody’s Giving Up The Cabaret, which was released in June.
Tokyo Events This Week: Kōenji Awa Odori, Asakusa Samba Carnival, and Tokyo Toy Show
Tokyo events for Monday, Aug 24 to Sunday, Aug 30, 2026. Some of the city’s biggest annual events bring summer festivities to a close this week. Dance festivals take center stage with Kōenji Awa Odori, Asakusa Samba Carnival, and Harajuku Omotesando Super Yosakoi among the highlights. Meanwhile, Tokyo Toy Show heads to Ariake, and Harajuku hosts a kawaii night market. Never miss a freebie! Sign up for our events newsletter.
Rookie a Go Go Extra
Fuji Rock’s Rookie a Go Go Extra is returning for the second year in a row. A mainstay of Fuji Rock’s programming since 1999, the Rookie a Go Go stage showcases up-and-coming artists and has proved to be a platform to success for alumni like King Gnu, Chai and Creepy Nuts. Since last year, Rookie a Go Go Extra has offered select artists an additional performance opportunity at a popular Tokyo venue.
Tricot ‘X’ | Liquidroom | Music in Tokyo
Kyoto rock outfit Tricot is putting on a special show at Liquidroom in Ebisu this September. The one-night-only performance, entitled ‘X’, will see the band celebrate their 16th anniversary and comes a few months into their new TricotX initiative. The project was created as a way to share new demos and recordings without the restrictions of typical industry release cycles and has already delivered three new tracks.
Loft 50th Anniversary: ‘The Atom Age Is Here.... The Fiendish Return of Balzac’
If you happen to have dabbled in Japanese punk any time in the last 25 years or so, chances are you’ve heard of Balzac. Their collaborations with the Misfits earned them a much broader international following in the early ’00s and, despite some setbacks over the last two decades or so, they’ve hardly slowed down since. Maintaining an incredibly strong cult following in Japan, they typically treat fans to more than a handful of shows each year.
Adrian Sherwood Presents Dub Sessions 2026: Adrian Sherwood vs Nightmares on Wax
Dub Sessions will mark its 21st (!) outing in Tokyo this September. Curated by English producer Adrian Sherwood (On-U Sound), the series has built a reputation for its high-profile guests, high-quality sound and lighting production, and on-stage surprises. This year’s event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Nightmares on Wax classic In A Space Outta Sound and Sherwood’s recent remix release, In A Space Outta Dub.
Tokyo Events This Week: Live Anime Music and Local Dance Festivals
Dates:Aug 18, 2026 Chuo Ward Oedo Bon Dance At the Chuo Ward Bon Dance, local groups come together to put on a rehearsed and masterful performance. You’ll have a chance to see the traditional Bon dance, along with dancers clad in flowing robes and one of the largest yagura festival towers around.
Harajuku's Best Restaurants for Groups
If you’ve spent any time traveling with a group in Tokyo, you’ll know that finding somewhere to eat together can have its challenges. Particularly in popular areas like Harajuku. While Takeshita Street and its surrounds are a mecca for street food, sometimes a weary travel squad needs a sit-down and something more substantial. Fear not, we’ve munched our way from Jingumae to Omotesandō and discovered the best restaurants for groups in Harajuku. Behold. 1.
Tokyo Events This Week: Fukagawa Festival, LuckyFes, and Summer Comiket
Dates:Aug 12–Aug 16, 2026 Entry:Free Summer Comiket Comic Market, better known as Comiket, is one of Japan’s biggest annual pop culture events. It’s held twice per year, in summer and winter, at Tokyo Big Sight. The focus of the event is doujinshi — independently created and published manga.
Tokyo Events This Week: Hachiōji Festival and Jingu Gaien Fireworks
Dates:Aug 7–Aug 9, 2026 Entry:Free Shibuya Bon Odori Dance Festival Bon Odori (Bon Dance) festivals take place all over Tokyo in summer in order to celebrate one’s ancestors. A unique Hachiko-themed motif is scattered around the event, and you can pick up a t-shirt with the design from a nearby stall.
Tokyo Events This Week: Summer Fireworks and Dance Festivals Galore
Tokyo events for Monday, July 27, to Sunday, August 2, 2026. Some of Tokyo’s favorite summer events take place around the city this week, including Nakameguro Summer Festival, Nakano Bon Dance Festival, and Edogawa Fireworks Festival. Idols are taking over Odaiba, and slightly further afield, Hakone is hosting its annual Lake Ashi Summer Festival. Never miss a freebie! Sign up for our events newsletter. Tokyo Idol Festival (TIF) Tokyo Idol Festival is the world’s largest celebration of idol culture.
Florence Road – Summer Sonic Extra
‘The biggest breakout band of 2025’, Ireland’s Florence Road, will back up their Summer Sonic performance with a show at Daikanyama’s Space Odd on August 17. In what’s been a big few years for Irish music (Fontaines D.C., NewDad, The Murder Capital), FloRo has been flying the flag for County Wicklow since the release of their Fallback mixtape last year and don’t show any signs of slowing down.
Ako – Juno Tour
Ako is set to undertake her first nationwide solo tour this August with a show at Line Cube Shibuya. The tour is in support of her sophomore album Lovely Moments, her second full-length release through Pony Canyon/Irori Records. The new album comes two years after her major label debut in 2024, which saw Ako perform numerous shows at Austin’s SXSW as well as tour Taiwan, South Korea and earn a spot on Forbes Japan’s 30 Under 30 list.
Dos Monos Tour D 2026
Tokyo hip-hop outfit Dos Monos are set to play their biggest headline show to date this August. The show, to be held at Zepp Shinjuku, will cap off a seven-city album tour and eight years of continuous output, creativity and critical acclaim. The trio’s latest album, Dos Moons (Full Moon), rearranges their two preceding EPs into a unified narrative, inspired by the album artwork by manga artist Junji Ito.
Loft 50th: ‘Kick The Past’ w/ Zazen Boys & More
Iconic Shinjuku venue Loft continues its 50th birthday celebrations with another exciting collab this month. Billed as ‘Shigeo Kikuchi’s 40th Anniversary as a Photographer: Kick the Past! 2026’, the event features an all-star cast of influential independent artists, headlined by Zazen Boys. Zazen Boys guitarist and vocalist Shutoku Mukai and photographer Shigeo Kikuchi have a long history, with Kikuchi regularly photographing Mukai since his time with the legendary indie band Number Girl.
Loft 50th: Have a Nice Day! x Otoboke Beaver
Kyoto’s Otoboke Beaver are taking time out of their busy international touring schedule to put on a co-headline show with Tokyo dance-punk outfit Have A Nice Day! The show, part of Shinjuku Loft’s 50th birthday celebrations, represents a sonically disparate meeting of two of the country’s most exciting live acts. Have A Nice Day!, affectionately known as Habanai, emerged from Tokyo’s underground alternative scene of the 2010s.
Holly Humberstone – Summer Sonic Extra
Tickets have all but sold out for Summer Sonic in Chiba this year, but thankfully for Holly Humberstone fans, there’s a chance to catch her in Shibuya on Friday August 13. Currently touring in support of her new album Cruel World, she’ll make her way to Duo Music Exchange for a comparatively intimate performance as part of the Summer Sonic Extra series of shows. The British artist has gone from strength to strength since her debut EP, 2020’s Falling Asleep at the Wheel.
Better Way to Stay In Tokyo: Flexible Furnished Apartment Rentals
Japan’s tourism boom isn’t just about bigger crowds, it’s about longer stays. As more visitors trade whirlwind itineraries for extended adventures, furnished apartments are becoming one of the smartest ways to experience Tokyo. To find out more about short-term, fully furnished apartment rentals in Tokyo, we spent a day with Weave Living — a well-known rental housing company that provides flexible-stay properties.
Tokyo Events This Week: Sumidagawa Fireworks and a Ton of Traditional Festivals
Tokyo events for Monday, July 20, to Sunday, July 26, 2026. This week is a biggie. In case Tokyo’s biggest fireworks festival wasn’t enough, there’s also the Shimokitazawa Bon Dance Festival, Shinjuku Eisa Festival, Kagurazaka Festival, and the return of our Downtown Drinks event! All that and much, much more below. Never miss a freebie! Sign up for our events newsletter.
Tokyo Events This Week: Bon Dances, Brazil Festival, and Sky Lanterns
Tokyo events for Monday, July 13, to Sunday, July 19, 2026. Slip on some comfy shoes ’cause this week is all about dancing. From bon odori in Jiyūgaoka to samba at Festival Brazil and Latino, events around the city invite you to feel the rhythm and the arrival of the summer heat. Never miss a freebie! Sign up for our events newsletter. Jiyūgaoka Bon Odori Dance Festival Across three evenings, see talented bon odori dancers move to traditional and contemporary Japanese songs.
Tokyo Events This Week: Summer Festivals, Geisha Dances, and Fireworks
Tokyo events for Monday, July 6, to Sunday, July 12, 2026. Giant floats, geisha dances and fireworks – despite the cooler weather, summer has well and truly arrived in Tokyo. This week, Chiba is hosting two major summer festivals, while geisha will perform seasonal dances in Asakusa and Kagurazaka. Fireworks will light up the skies in Kamakura and Yokosuka, and one of Tokyo’s newest music festivals is set to take over Takanawa. Never miss a freebie! Sign up for our events newsletter.
5 of the best gigs to catch in Tokyo this July
Summer tours are in full swing in July, which means plenty of gigs to take the edge off the Tokyo heat. This month, locals Mono and Satoko Shibata will play shows in Tokyo, as will international favourites like Mitski and Manic Sheep. On top of that, newcomers Zilqy are playing a special one-off gig, and there are also a couple of good-looking festivals going on in or near the city, most notably the Future Frequencies Festival at MoN Takanawa and Ocean Peoples out in Chiba.
7 Best Tanabata Festivals Around Tokyo
Dates: Entry:Free 2. Shitamachi Tanabata Festival July 3–7, 2026 Kappabashi The Shitamachi Tanabata Festival takes over a 1.2 km portion of Tokyo’s downtown district every year. Centered on Kappabashi’s main street between Ueno and Asakusa, the streets are lined with stalls from local merchants and filled with parades of dancers, marching bands, and motorbikes. Save on 100+ Museums, Gardens, and More Across Tokyo! Dates:Jul 3–Jul 7, 2026 Entry:Free 3.
Tokyo Events This Week: Tanabata Events, Geisha Dances, and Night Markets
Dates:Jul 4, 2026 Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival Hiratsuka’s Tanabata Star Festival is the biggest in the Kantō region and is known for its grand decorations, some over 10 meters tall. The festival includes parades and contests and typically attracts around 1.7 million visitors over its three days.
Summer Sonic just announced additional David Byrne, Holly Humberstone and Steve Lacy shows in Tokyo
Summer Sonic’s 25th anniversary celebrations just got bigger with the announcement of three massive shows in Tokyo on August 13. Billed as ‘Summer Sonic Extra’ performances, David Byrne, Steve Lacy and Holly Humberstone will each play gigs around the city the night before the main event kicks off in Tokyo and Osaka. © Rob Greig/Time OutDavid Byrne David Byrne is currently on a world tour supporting his latest album Who Is the Sky?.
Tokyo Events This Week: Oku Asakusa Bon Dance, Seisho Pride, and 81 Music Festival
Dates:Jun 27, 2026 Entry:Free 81 Music Festival 81 Music Festival is set to make its mark on Japan’s music scene with its debut event this June. Bringing together a diverse lineup, organizers clearly aren’t messing about with some big names on this year’s bill. See the Best of Japan with Trip To Japan Dates:Jun 27, 2026 Seisho Queer Pride The event features performances, community booths, and gatherings centered on LGBTQ+ visibility and pride. This year’s theme is “we are here”.
Satoko Shibata: Summer ’26
Satoko Shibata is wrapping up her ongoing tour at Showa Women’s University on July 12. Making her debut in 2012, she’s perhaps best known internationally for her 2024 album Your Favorite Things, which has become somewhat of a Japanese indie gateway drug. Having embarked on a successful summer tour last year, she’s doing it again in 2026, bringing a full band to nine shows across the country. This final show in Tokyo will mark her biggest headline gig to date.
Zilqy: Zero to One
Zilqy are treating fans to a special show in Shibuya this July. The self-described ‘global all-female metal band from Japan’ released their debut single late last year and have been busy ever since. This year, they’ve embarked on a sold-out domestic tour, appeared on festival stages across the country, and announced a debut album and tour for autumn. This gig will act as a special one-night-only performance between tours.
Manic Sheep: Goodbye Blue Monday w/ Home, Dogo
In celebration of their latest release, Taipei post-rock quartet Manic Sheep are putting on a show at Aoyama’s Moon Romantic. Entitled Rewind 2014, the new drop is a collection of tracks originally written after the band's acclaimed self-titled debut. After a busy 10 years, the band revisited the songs in 2024, reworking them into a 12-track album that runs the gamut from shoegaze and dreampop to darker, more krautrock-influenced and instrumental pieces.
Mono: ‘Snowdrop’ Album Tour
Tokyo instrumental rock outfit Mono are kicking off a world tour for their new album with this July gig. Having lost a longtime creative partner in Steve Albini last year, the new release, Snowdrop, is in part dedicated to the late producer and his contributions to the band over the past two decades.
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