Nabisco Cup
Get a taste of Japanese professional soccer—J-League first division squad Tokyo Verdy 1969 face cross-town rivals Urawa Red Diamonds. 7/2, 7pm, Ajinomoto Stadium, \6,000 (SS), \3,500 (S), \2,000 (non reserve). Tel: 0570-02-9977.

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival
Known also as the Star Festival, this matsuri featuring psychedelic portable shrines originates from the legend of Altair and Vega, two stars separated by the Milky Way and who are allowed to meet just once a year—on the seventh day of the seventh month. 7/3-7/7, 10am-10pm, Plaza Road, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, free. Tel: 0463-35-8107.

Shamisen Festival
Concerts, workshops, exhibitions and more featuring Japan�fs traditional three-string instrument. 7/4-6, Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo, 1-8-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, \10,000 (three-day pass), \3,500 (concert). Tel: 3565-4197.

New Archaeological Discoveries
An exhibition of artifacts unearthed from all over the Japanese archipelago, dating from 150 to 33,000 years ago. Until 7/9, 9:30am-5:30pm, Edo Tokyo Museum, 1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, \600. Tel: 3626-9974.

Tresors de Mali
The Malian National Dance Troupe performs tribal music and dance spectaculars over two nights that highlight its month-long stay in Japan. Their tour includes numerous workshops open to the public and an appearance at Fuji Rock Festival �f03. 7/11-12, 7pm 7/11, 6pm 7/12, Tiara Koto, 2-28-36 Sumiyoshi, Koto-ku, \4,500 (two nights), \2,000 (7/11), \4,000 (7/12). Tel: 3358-8737.

Japan All-Star Baseball
Japan�fs best baseball players from the Central and Pacific Leagues go head to head in this one-off match. 7/16, 6:30pm, Chiba Marine Stadium, Makuhari, \8,000 (S), \6,500 (A), \4,500 (B), \2,500 (C). Tel: 043-296-8900 (Japanese recorded message). http://www.marinestadium.co.jp/

Tennoz Isle Summer Festival
Yatai (outdoor food booths), game booths and a stage featuring live concerts liven up one of Tokyo�fs prettiest canal-side locations. 7/18-21 & 7/23-25, all day, Tennoz Isle Waterfront, free. Tel: 5715-0211.

Ocean Week Festival
The Museum of Maritime Science celebrates Ocean Week with special exhibitions as well as a tour around Tokyo Bay in four leased specialized vessels including a restaurant ship and a tugboat. 7/19-22, 10am-5pm, Museum of Maritime Science, prices vary. Tel: 5500-1113.

Disney on Ice
Disney characters from the timeless classic Beauty and the Beast skate to music in this delightfully cool midsummer show. 7/19-23, National Stadium Gymnasium 1, \5,800 (S), \4,200 (A). Tel: 3498-9999.

Nureyev Festival
Farukh Ruzimatov and Charles Jude lead an all-star cast in this ballet festival marking the 10th anniversary of Rudolf Nureyev�fs death, with music from Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet and Othello. 7/20 & 21, Bunkyo Civic Hall, \13,000 (S), \11,000 (A), \9,000 (B), \7,000 (C), \5,000 (D). Tel: 3943-9999.

Blast!
The Emmy Award-winning percussion musical makes its first appearance in Japan. 7/23-8/10, call for times, Bunkamura Orchard Hall, \11,000 (S), \9,000 (A), \7,000 (B). Tel: 3477-3244.

Shinbashi Koichi Festival
Held at Steam Engine Square (Shinbashi station) and Sakurada Park, this festival features bon odori (traditional Japanese dance) as well as outdoor concerts and a beauty contest. 7/24 & 25, call for times, Shinbashi station, free. Tel: 5537-6115.

Fuji Rock Festival �f03
Japan�fs leading (foreign) rock fest is back. Featuring Elvis Costello, Bjork, Underworld, Asian Dub Foundation and more. For a full list of artists, see http://www.fujirockfestival.com/. Naeba Ski Resort, 7/25-27, 9am, \14,500 (one day), \29,000 (two days), \38,000 (three days).

Sumida River Fireworks
One of Tokyo�fs largest annual fireworks displays 20,000 rounds, including 200 award-winning explosions to light the night sky. 7/26, 7:10pm, Sakurabashi, Sumida River, free. Tel: 5608-1111.

Tachikawa Yoito Festival
Giant taikos (Japanese drums) and illuminated portable shrines are the
feature attractions at this parade where 10,000 complimentary bamboo fans are passed out to the public. 7/27, 10am-9pm, Tachikawa Station, free. Tel: 042-528-4315.

Katsushika Noryo Fireworks
Katsushika Ward in eastern Tokyo holds its annual midsummer fireworks festival by Edogawa River. A taiko (Japanese drums) performance precedes the event. 7/29, 6:15pm, Shibamata Baseball Ground (Keisei line, Shibamata stn), free. Tel: 3838-5558.

Iceland Blue
A month-long showcase of Icelandic music, fashion, art and cutting edge technologies. Until 7/30, times TBA, Spiral Building & Planet 3rd, free. Info: http://www.cep-tv.net/.

August 2003

Vodaphone Newport Jazz Festival in Madarao 2003
Annual jazz festival in the mountains of Nagano this year features Dee Dee Bridgewater, Candy Dulfer, Ed Cherry, Jon Fadis, David Sanchez, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Fried Pried and Yosuke Onuma. See http://www.madarao.co.jp/. Madarao Kogen Ski Resort, 8/1-3, jazz picnic \6,000 (adv), \7,000 (door), night session \4,000 (adv), \5,000 (door). Tel: 3407-8131.

NFL Tokyo
Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the New York Jets at Tokyo Dome, Japan�fs first enclosed stadium. 8/2, 6pm, Tokyo Dome, \50,000 (VIP), \25,000 (RS), \15,000 (SS), \10,000 (S), \5,000 (A). Tel: 3817-4800

Les Ballets Trockadero
de Monte Carlo
The celebrated all-male comedy ballet troupe makes its 19th appearance on its Japan tour. Performances are held at various venues across the Kanto area. Until 8/3, call for times and venues, \8,000 (S), \7,000 (A), \6,000 (B). Tel: 3409-8205.

PRIDE.27
The Grand Prix event of middleweight ultimate fighting, featuring Wanderlei Silva and Kazushi Sakuraba. 8/10, 6pm, Saitama Super Arena, \100,000 (VIP), \28,000 (RRS), \16,000 (S), \7,000 (A). Tel: 5464-1531.

Tomioka Hachimangu Festival
The custom of throwing water at shrine carriers has earned this festival the nickname "water dumping festival." 8/15, times TBA, 1-20-13 Tomioka, Koto-ku, free. Tel: 3642-1315.

West Side Story
The Milan Scala version of the famed musical by the late Leonard Bernstein. 8/13-17, 9/2-12, call for times, Bunkamura Orchard Hall, \14,000 (S), \12,000 (A), \9,000 (B). Tel: 3475-5999.

Earth Celebration
Held on the beautiful island of Sado off Niigata, this weekend carnival features famous wadaiko (traditional Japanese drums) group Kodo and other percussionists from around the world as well as flea markets, cultural workshops, children�fs shows and more. See www.kodo.or.jp/ec/. Sado Island also hosts the Sado Island International Triathlon that annually attracts hordes of competitors from Japan and overseas. The entry deadline is 7/31. (The Joetsu Shinkansen links Tokyo and Niigata in less than two hours; ferries and hydrofoils sail between Niigata and Sado Island daily.) 8/22-24, Ogi, Sado Island, free. Tel: 0259-81-4100.

Stomp
Britain�fs famous rhythmic band is back with innovative performances using everything from dust bins to water pipes. Tickets go on sale 5/24. See http://www.stomp-japan.com/ 8/22-9/6, Tokyo International Forum Hall C, \8,000 (S), \6,500 (A), \5,500 (B). Tel: 3498-9999.

Notre-Dame de Paris &
Duke Ellington Ballet
Roland Petit choreographs Victor Hugo�fs classic and Duke Ellington Ballet with a cast featuring Jérémie Bélingard and Benjamin Pech. 8/20-24 (Notre-Dame de Paris), 8/27-31 (Duke Ellington Ballet), Bunkamura Orchard Hall, \13,000 (S), \11,000 (A), \9,000 (B), \7,000 (C), \5,000 (D). Tel: 3477-3244.

Azabu-Juban Noryo Festival
This midsummer matsuri in hip Azabu-Juban boasts an international bazaar with hundreds of booths with food and goods from the world over. 8/22-24, 3:30-8:30pm, Azabu-Juban Station, free. Tel: 3451-5812.

Asakusa Samba Festival
The annual samba parade featuring gorgeous costumes and vibrant rythms draws an official close to summer festivities in Tokyo. 8/30, 2-6pm, Kaminarimon Dori, Asakusa, free. Tel: 5246-1151.

September 2003

Mamma Mia!
The hit musical about a young woman who goes searching for her estranged father features 22 ABBA songs and is performed at one of Tokyo�fs newest theaters. For details, see http://www.shiki.gr.jp/. Through 9/30, call for times, Dentsu Shiki Theater, 1-8-2 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, \11,000(S), \9,000(A), \6,000(B), \3,000(C). Tel: 045-903-1521. (Performances in Japanese.)

The Global City–A New
Vertical Landscape
An exhibition on the past, present and future of this sprawling city, with splendid views from the observatory. Until 9/21, 9am-10pm, Mori Art Gallery, 52F, Roppongi Hills Tower, \1,500 (adults), \1,000 (students), \500 (children). Tel: 3560-3141.

North Korean Spy Ship Exhibition
The North Korean spy ship gunned down and sunk by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force in 2002 is on display. Until 9/30, 10am-5pm (6pm on weekends), Museum of Maritime Science, free. Tel: 5500-1111.

Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival
One of Tokyo�fs most popular fireworks with great views of the harbor, Odaiba and the Rainbow Bridge. Tsukishima is a recommended viewing spot with relatively small crowds. 8/10, 7pm, Tokyo Bay, free. Tel: 3546-5328.

Grease
Broadway�fs first rock�en�froll musical tours Japan. Tickets go on sale 6/14. 10/10-26, Tokyo Kosei-Nenkin Kaikan, \12,000 (S), \10,000 (A), \8,000 (B), \5,000 (students). Tel: 3490-4949.

F1 Japanese Grand Prix
The fastest machines in the world tackle the track at Suzuka for the 16th time. 10/12, Suzuka Circuit, \51,000 (S1), \41,000 (S2), \32,000 (A), \25,000 (B), \9,000 (entrance adults), \2,000 (entrance children). Tel: 0593-78-1111. Tickets are also valid for qualifiers on 10/10 & 11.