Ladies and gentlemen, it's the week you've been waiting for all month: Perfect Liars Club is on February 9th. Make sure you reserve your tickets here. And in the meantime, here are other great things to do in Tokyo this week. Oh, and don't forget to see Your Name which is screening around town with English subtitles and music til 10th February only. I thought it was fabulous.

Friday 3 Feb - The  Gamuso comedy show in Asagaya is on tonight.

Sat 4 Feb - Comedy Sumo Slam is one of my favourite comedy events in Tokyo and it's tonight in Roppongi. This show is a Mock the Week style show where two teams of comedians say funny things about current events - one of your best chances to see new, topical comedy in Tokyo. Even more exciting, your trusty Perfect Liars MC (yes, me) is one of the contestants! This will be fab.

Sun 5 Feb - I am beyond thrilled that someone from Twitter introduced me to Cinemavera in Shibuya which periodically shows old Hollywood films. Hooray! Today you can see an Ingrid Bergman movie double bill: Hitchcock's Suspicion (12:55, 4:50, 8:45) AND Gaslight (2:45 and 6:40pm... find out why this film's name has been used in US politics discussions recently). What a treat! It's repeated on Wednesday if you can't make it.

Mon 6 Feb - A new open-mic stand-up comedy night is starting in Otsuka (on the Yamanote line). It's called Get on the Mic! so if you feel like giving comedy a try, this may be the perfect venue for you. 

Tue 7 Feb - If you're a book lover, you may have heard of the Ginza shop Morioka Shoten that sells only one title per week, and fills that week with themed art and events. And if you're a weak Japanese reader like me, you are also filled with frustration that you can't appreciate that book and experience. Word on the street is that this week it's a ceramics book that is very pictorial, and it opens today.

Wed 8 Feb - Go to the Good Heavens Comedy Club for a night of stand up comedy. Suspicion (11, 2:55, 6:50pm) and Gaslight (12:50, 4:45, 8:40pm) are on again at Cinemavera in Shibuya. Or head to Hardware Massive at the Meguro Impact Hub to hear from people designing wearable tech: 'products that can touch and sense your body'.

Thu 9 Feb - It's Perfect Liars Club! The amazing story interrogation show that fills Good Heavens in Shimokitazawa every month. Four people tell a story but only three are true. Listen, laugh, interrogate... then vote. Can you spot the liar? (Perfect Liars Club are the people who bring you this listings guide. AND it's my birthday. Just saying.)
​
Fri 10 Feb - Tonight it's Nerd Nite - hear talks about earthquakes, astrophysics, and non-profits in Japan while drinking your beer. Also tonight, Balls to the Wall comedy in Roppongi. Alas I can't make any of them... I'm off to my first Sapporo Snow Festival! Exciting.

Welcome to what is shaping up to be a rather light week of fun things to do in Tokyo. It starts with a bang, with the usual riches of the last-Friday-of-the-month leaving us all spoilt for choice. So Friday will be fantastic, no matter your event tastes. But then it's like tumbleweed... But never fear, there are some cool films, plus of course you need to hone your skills for Perfect Liars Club on 9th Feb.

Fri 27 Jan - Tonight enjoy one of our favourite shows of the month: Improvazilla. This is a super and professional-feeling improv show at a cool Shibuya venue. Drinks and food are available while you watch a show that delivers sketches and games in the first half, and a full improvised musical in the second half. Other well-established last-Friday-of-the-month shows are Drunk Poets See God, an open-mic slam poetry night, and Dr Sketchy's burlesque art class. Also tonight is Nerd Nite with talks on citizen science and space gravity, cognitive behavioural therapy, and urban exploration in Japan. Plus, there's a totally charming-sounding gramophone concert. Finally, there's a talk at UN University about the Arab Spring. Decisions will have to be made.

Sat 28 Jan - There's a craft beer festival in Yokohama which could be fun. Then in the evening, if you're in Yokohama anyway, there's a really inexplicable location-based show involving music, dance, flowers and food. You may need Google Translate to figure this one out, but it sounds quirky and intriguing.

Sun 29 Jan - The craft beer festival in Yokohama is still on. Back in Tokyo tonight, there's a bilingual improv comedy show from Pirates of Tokyo Bay in Ebisu.

Tue 31 Jan - There's an academic-style talk about literary translation at Sophia University tonight which is open to the public: it will explore transnational ideologies: the meanings behind which texts are translated into which languages.

Wed 1 Feb - During the day there's a talk about international security. And in the evening it's the hilarious Good Heavens Comedy Club in Shimokitazawa - enjoy!

​Fri 3 Feb - Gamuso comedy show in Asagaya is on tonight.

FILM THIS WEEK: 
From today til February 10th you can see Your Name with English subtitles and the songs in English. I saw this film at the Tokyo Film Festival and I think I might just have to go again as it was so good... It's on at Toho Shinjuku and Roppongi, plus Cinema Rosa Ikebukuro. The critically acclaimed indie film Tangerine is on at Shibuya Image Forum. Rotten Tomatoes gives it 97% and describes it as "A working girl tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who broke her heart." Another award-winning film is the Japanese family drama/thriller Harmonium (aka Stand on the Edge) and it's screening with English subtitles on Monday and Tuesday only at the Uplink Shibuya.

MORNING FILMS: 

• Hitchcock/Truffaut is at 10:45am every day at the Uplink.
• To Kill a Mockingbird is on at 10am every day at Toho Shinjuku
• The Miracle Worker is on at 10am every day at Toho Nihonbashi.

​We are going to be really sad when the Toho 10am films finish next month.

And remember, get your tickets for the most amazing comedy story interrogation show in the world, Perfect Liars Club on 9th February.

It's another fine week in Tokyo. After a rather quiet week, event-wise, this week has quite a lot of random interesting things to do. Check out the cool article about Perfect Liars Club in the British Chamber of Commerce magazine Acumen. And scroll to the bottom for things you'd better book in advance!

Fri 20 Jan - Ready for a quirky way to spend your Friday night? Why not go to a lecture: The Royal Academy of Science in Paris and the Taboo of ‘Economic Issues’ in the Late Eighteenth Century. It's in English and is at 6:30pm in Seminar Room 3, Level 2, Kojima Hall, Hongo Campus, University of Tokyo. I recognise that this might be quite a niche date night activity... Or if you're American and a Democrat, it's inauguration day in the US and you might like to join this event in Hibiya Park. Haven't seen any Republican-themed events.

Sat 21 Jan - Fancy an art talk at the Museum of Modern Art? It's at 2pm and the title is: During the post-museum era, how does transformation of the media change the art world? It's in English, despite the website being not in English. Also, today's the final day to get over to the Hikarie in Shibuya to see Tokyo Art City - I thought this cool light projection installation was really great. It closes at 8pm I believe. And this is the final weekend to see an art exhibition of British automata which sounds completely intriguing, though it's way out in Hachioji. Here's the museum info for that.

Sun 22 Jan - There's not much specific on today. So this might be the moment to check out the Tokyo-themed photography exhibition at the TOP Museum which I really want to see. Or head out to Hachioji for that art exhibition of British automata. Also, this week I wrote an article this week about Studio Ghibli-themed sightseeing in Tokyo so feel free to take inspiration.

Mon 23 Jan - Tonight attend a free public lecture in English at Sophia University about street food in the 21st century city (with a focus on Shanghai). 

Tue 24 Jan - There's literally nothing cool on tonight. Well, there must be something but I can't find it. But instead of watching Netflix, why not stream a Broadway musical into your home? 

Wed 25 Jan - International comedy headliners Phil Nichol (Canada) and Yuriko Kotani (Japan) come over from the UK for two nights only. They were great last year, so don't miss them at Good Heavens in Shimokitazawa! Also tonight, the first Pechakucha night of 2017 - arty talks in English and Japanese, this show gets one of the buzziest audiences in Tokyo.

Thu 26 Jan - If you missed them last night, go see Phil Nichol (Canada) and Yuriko Kotani (Japan) being funny at Good Heavens. Also tonight is F*ck-up Nights at Hub Tokyo in Meguro (a venue that now sports an intensely hipster coffeeshop) - go and hear from people who tried to do something in their business and, well, failed. Or if you are feeling quite a lot more serious, go to a talk at UN University on Asia's Economic Rise. You need to register, but it's free.

Fri 27 Jan - The usual riches of the last-Friday-of-the-month await you - and more. First, it's one of our favourite shows of the month: Improvazilla. This is a super and professional-feeling improv show at a cool Shibuya venue. Drinks and food are available while you watch a show that delivers sketches and games in the first half, and a full improvised musical in the second half. Other well-established last-Friday-of-the-month shows are Drunk Poets See God, an open-mic slam poetry night, and Dr Sketchy's burlesque art class. Also tonight is Nerd Nite with talks on citizen science and space gravity, cognitive behavioural therapy, and urban exploration in Japan. We begged: 'Not the last Friday! Don't do it on the same night as all these other shows!' But they did. Sorry. Also, there's a totally charming-sounding gramophone concert. Finally, there's a talk at UN University about the Arab Spring. Decisions will have to be made.

Things you're going to want to book in advance: hurry up!

9 Feb - It's Perfect Liars Club. Four people tell a story but only three are true. Can you spot the liar?

25 Feb - I told you to reserve your tickets for Eddie Izzard so it's not my fault the now show's sold out. But you can add your name to a waiting list here. And if you go to Tokyo Comedy Store shows Improvazilla or Gamuso, you can put your business card (or piece of paper with name and email scribbled on it) into a pot and be entered into the draw for free ticket.

26 Feb - The first thousand people to register can enjoy a full, glorious Sunday of science talks by Nobel prizewinners and other top researchers. And what's more, it's free entry! Just be sure to register in time.

27 Feb - Make sure you get your tickets for another famous British comedian, Jimmy Carr.

Finally: this week we set up a little Facebook group specifically for people interested in attending book events. The plan is that (a) people who like book events will hear about them, and (b) authors, bookshops and publishers will use the group to advertise their events to book event enthusiasts. And feel free to do (c) put on a book event and advertise it. So if you're interested, join here. (and if you're someone who knows how to make a cool Facebook banner for the group and have a few spare moments to do so, please do!).

2017 is now in full swing and we are having much fun. This week we went to a talk about mining the moon, a rakugo storytelling show, and of course it was Perfect Liars Club which was totally hilarious. Read all about it and see pics here. Then dash to our ticket page to reserve your tickets for our next show on February 9th. They go on sale at 1pm and remember: reserve in advance, get in for less money! But in the meantime, what's on this week, you ask... Well it's a bit quieter than last week but there's plenty to entertain you!

Fri 13 Jan - Ready for some English-language immersive theatre? Wide Eyed Theatre Companie presents A Faerie Tale. It's a promenade show in Nakano, it's not for children despite the name, and it looks really intriguing. It's on all weekend in Nakano, so reserve tickets now. Also tonight is This 'n' That Cafe: music and live art at Superdeluxe. Also in Roppongi tonight is Balls to the Wall Comedy at Tokyo Sports Cafe. And Trumbo and The Program are still screening as a double bill at lovely Ginrei Hall til the 20th.

Sat 14 Jan - Go see A Faerie Tale. Then there's stand up comedy at Vega Wine Bar in Ebisu tonight.

Sun 15 Jan - It's the last day of A Faerie Tale. And tonight in Asagaya, enjoy the Gamuso comedy show.

Mon 16 Jan - Here's something different: Harvard Glee Club is performing tonight.

Tue 17 Jan - Not much on today, it seems. I guess it's a cinema day. 

Wed 18 Jan - The usual best place to be on a Wednesday: Good Heavens Comedy Club!

Thu 19 Jan - Tonight's comedy show is at Double Tall in Shibuya. Or if you're feeling scholarly, why not head to a public talk at a university - in English? Go to Sophia University to hear a talk on 'The insentient companion: some thoughts on dolls, robots, and significant otherness' which sounds intriguing, about techno-animism and the Japanese folklore concept of "tsukumogami", or spirits living in tools. Another interesting lecture tonight is at Hitotsubashi University and is called 'Rethinking Japanese Cinema' which is about the golden age of Japanese cinema and sounds really interesting. Both are free to attend. Enjoy!

It's been a lovely sunny first week of the year. We celebrated the new year at two different parties, clung onto our seats in suspense at a screening of Eye in the Sky, wept at the British play The Entertainer being beamed from London to Ikebukuro, laughed at an outstanding first-of-the-year Good Heavens comedy night... and having had an excellent beginning to 2017, now it's time to see what's on next week.

Fri 6 Jan - It's your last chance to see an evening show of The Entertainer by John Osborne, starring Kenneth Branagh, filmed in London's West End and screened in Ikebukuro's Cine Libre. 7:10 today.

Sat 7 Jan - The Entertainer by John Osborne is also on today for the last time at Cine Libre at 4pm. Then tonight for a week, the same venue will start screening the play of Romeo and Juliet in English, filmed from London's West End. Also starting today and running for a while, a film festival of movies previously unreleased in Tokyo.

Sun 8 and Mon 9 Jan - Not much on today. Maybe some cinema? Ginrei Hall's double bill of films are unusually BOTH in English, which means you can buy one ticket and see both: The Program (About Lance Armstrong) and Trumbo (about communist Hollywood writers). The films run daily til the 20th. If this weather stays nice, you could combine with lunch/ice cream at the Canal Cafe in Iidabashi.

Tue 10 Jan - The second edition of Space Cafe Tokyo is at Good Heavens in Shimokitazawa tonight at 8pm. Hear from the only Japanese Team in the Google Lunar XPRPIZE, and about plans to 'mine the moon'. The first edition in December was fantastic, so we are excited about this.

Wed 11 Jan - Tonight there's a fairly rare performance of English language rakugo (Japanese stories) at Uchisaiwai Hall (near Hibiya). Doors at 6:30, starts at 7. Pay on the door. Note, I found this out by reading a poster on a local street. We NEED a central English language rakugo advertising resource! I feel like I'm always in danger of missing these, and I'm a big fan! Or of course, you could alternatively head over to comedy at Good Heavens.

Thu 12 Jan - Hooray! The moment you have all been waiting for is here: it's Perfect Liars Club! The event of the month, nay, the century. Four people perform a story but only three are true. Listen, Laugh, Interrogate, Vote... Can you spot the liar? Remember, we have a new pricing system: 1500 yen if you reserve in advance, 2000 yen on the door (both include a free drink). So what are you waiting for? Reserve now. Or just turn up. Your call! It starts at 8 sharp.

Fri 13 Jan - Ready for some English-language immersive theatre? Wide Eyed Theatre Companie presents A Faerie Tale. It's a promenade show, it's not for children despite the name, and it looks really intriguing. It's on til the 15th in Nakano. Also tonight is This 'n' That Cafe: music and live art at Superdeluxe.

Here's a random treat for you: a while back I wrote a piece for Tokyo Cheapo about social art events in Tokyo and it was published today. Enjoy, and get arting.

Oh, and don't forget: reserve tickets for Perfect Liars Club on Thursday HERE.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a fabulous year in Tokyo. But what has been particularly fabulous? Thanks for asking. Welcome to Perfect Liars Club's Best of Tokyo (in our opinion) Awards 2016.

Best English-language events space: Good Heavens Bar, Shimokitazawa
This bar-and-stage venue has become the epicentre of English-language spoken word events this year. With Perfect Liars Club, Stand Up Tokyo's weekly Wednesday night comedy shows, Nerd Nite, Space Cafe, and more, there seems no stopping Good Heavens as the place to be for English-language aficionados. And from 2017 they'll be screening Golden Age Hollywood movies too. With their drinks, British-style food, and second hand bookshop, this venue seems to have it all.

Best cinema for English language old movies: National Film Centre, Kyobashi
Despite its cool architecture, cheap prices, and intriguing seasons of unusual old films in a range of languages, Japanese people seem to somehow be keeping the National Film Centre a secret: I've rarely seen foreign people here. But in a city where old English-language films are hard to find, I've seen some of my favourite films of the year here. Whoever curates the films has great taste.

Best cinema for ambience: Ginrei Hall, Iidabashi
There is something rather delightful about entering Ginrei Hall - it feels like a cinema experience in days of yore. It's no frills but in a city where most movie theatres are modern and lacking in much personality, Ginrei Hall has it in spades. Plus your ticket buys you a double bill of often arthousey, intriguing films, and you can buy year-long passes. They screen films in a variety of languages, and usually have the same double bill for a fortnight. I'd estimate around a third are in English. They also do quirky things like their all-night Charlie Chaplin marathon. Wish they had popcorn though...

Best Arts Festival in Tokyo: Rainbow Reel Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
The biggest film festival in Tokyo may have been the International Film Festival but it was fraught with booking problems, meaning that it was difficult to get to see many of the films, and the selection was not as inspiring as we might have hoped. Meanwhile, the surprise hit of the year was Rainbow Reel Tokyo International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Really interesting, inspired programming, with some genuinely outstanding films, all subtitled in English and Japanese - not to mention a great buzz and ambience with associated art shows and other fringe events that truly made it feel like an occasion.

Best Art Show in Tokyo: Roppongi Crossing: My Body Your Voice, Mori Art Museum
This was a thrilling exhibition that showcased the diversity of the Japanese contemporary art scene and explored the question of identity in the 21st century. Rarely have we found an exhibition to be so thought provoking. It had interactive elements. It had funny, sad, quirky, charming and participatory elements. And it provided us with conversation fodder for hours.

Most-overlooked English language show in Tokyo: Comedy Sumo Slam
There's a lot of comedy in Tokyo which is great, but fewer attempts to create well-curated, smart comedy shows that go beyond stand-up sets. Stand up Tokyo have quietly developed Comedy Sumo Slam to fill this gap. In the style of TV comedy gameshows like Mock the Week, Comedy Sumo Slam aims for topical, intelligent comedy where the performers are witty on the spur of the moment and you never have to hear recycled jokes. And yet this is an underground, irregular event, in a little venue, with inexplicably few attendees. Get over there, Tokyo: this is surreptitiously becoming one of the best events in the city.

Runners up:
Improvazilla is clearly not overlooked: this venerable and extremely high quality improv show enjoys a full house every month. And yet we've found that most people we mention it to have never heard of Improvazilla. People should be lining up for tickets for a show this well produced and executed, and in such a great venue. Happens on the last Friday of the month.
English-language rakugo can be tricky to track down (luckily at Perfect Liars Club we do what we can to find it for you). This is Japanese-style storytelling and it is funny and sad and interesting and a fantastic night out. We think Shinoharu Tatekawa does it best.

Best Casual Restaurant in Tokyo: Soranoiro, Hanzomon
Soranoiro is an unassuming but perfect little ramen joint. You order from a machine, the tables are cheery and comfortable, everyone wears bibs, and the food is outstanding. The restaurant was endorsed by the highly prestigious Michelin guide. It's not a vegetarian restaurant by any means, but I'd say it does the best veggie and vegan ramen in town. There's also a branch in 'Ramen Street' in Tokyo station.

Best Occasion Restaurant in Tokyo: Dhaba India, Kyobashi
Many Indian restaurants get great reviews and disappoint in Tokyo, but Dhaba India is the real deal. Delicate, delicious, beautifully balanced dishes, including some great dosas, in a charming, convivial and attractive dining room make this our treat restaurant. We went before it got its first Michelin star, so feel extra smug. 

Best Cheeseplate in Tokyo: Marugo Grande, Shinjuku
Marugo Grande in Shinjuku has a great selection of outstanding cheese, and we've been consistently impressed with its achievements in this city where the hunt for a good cheeseplate is a danger-sown quest for a rare and exciting prize. This Italian bar/restaurant just across the road from Wald 9 (thus a good post-cinema stop-in) manages to delight. Just remember you need to order the bread separately (potentially two portions).

Best Pain au Chocolat in Tokyo: Factory, Kudanshita
There are many French bakeries in this highly competitive category but for the perfect balance of flaky and sumptuous, with just the right balance of chocolatey goodness, Factory in Kudanshita takes the gold medal. This charming neighbourhood breakfast place/lunch cafe/casual bar has many outstanding options but the pain au chocolat is what keeps us coming back for more.

Best Salad Bar in Tokyo: Salad Stop, Omotesando
What can I say: we got addicted to Sweetgreen and Chop't in the US. It took a little hunting but we found several good contenders in this category... and it was clear that Salad Stop in Omotesando has it all. In their bright, attractive casual restaurant they offer a gloriously wide array of fresh and delicious salad ingredients - design your own salad, or choose one of their recommendations - and have it in a bowl or as a wrap. (runner up: Crisp Salad Works)

Best Cocktails in Tokyo: Apollo, Ginza
I'm going to be controversial here and suggest that the best cocktails we have had this year did not come from any of Tokyo's venerable cocktail establishments (of which we sampled many), but rather from the newly opened Greek restaurant Apollo. We sampled several and found them inventive, beautifully balanced, charmingly presented and overall impressive. (Note: while you're there it would be folly not to try their Saganaki Cheese dish too).

Best Flat White in Tokyo: Mojo, Kagurazaka
It is surprisingly difficult to find an excellent flat white coffee in Tokyo - which means that New Zealand coffeehouse Mojo Coffee is a particular treat. Creamy, with just the right kick, this is the real deal. Lovely coffeeshop too. 

Best Morning Smoothie in Tokyo: Good Morning Cafe, Jimbocho/Nishikicho
Good Morning Cafe is a lovely cafe with a large outdoor deck (perfect for taking a dog walking break). It offers breakfasts and lunches, but their stand out item is their little breakfast fruit smoothies. Wish they were double the size, but they are divine.

Best Avocado Toast in Tokyo: Dominique Ansel bakery, Jingumae
Again, some solid competition in this category but Dominique Ansel bakery wins out as the stellar example of the genre with their 'Soho sandwich'. Fight your way past the massive lines for cronuts and head upstairs to a lovely restaurant and prepare to have your avocado toast dreams come true. Crispy, delicious sourdough bread. Generous avocado. Tangy pickled radishes. And a glorious helping of creme fraiche. Only annoying thing is they require you to buy a drink to accompany it and they're all just a bit more expensive than you want them to be.

Best Quiche in Tokyo: Rose Bakery, Marunouchi, Ginza, Shinjuku, Kichijoji, Haneda Terminal 1
Call them tarts, call them quiches... regardless, Rose Bakery has the pastry down to an art. These little squares of delicious perfection are so tempting I have been known to go massively out of my way to procure one for my lunch. They're all vegetarian. Luckily there's quite a few outlets, usually attached to a Comme des Garcons boutique. My favourite is in Marunouchi. (Note: also great cakes and bread.)

Best Okonomiyaki in Tokyo: Bochi Bochi, Koenji
The best okonomiyaki is something of a personal choice, but Bochi Bochi, a slightly obscure-to-find okonomiyaki restaurant combines old-time charm with some outstanding okonomiyaki: fresh, soft yet crisp, flavoursome and painstakingly made (don't go here when you're in a hurry!). They have an English menu too.

Best Summery treat in Tokyo: Paletas, Kichijoji, Roppongi and Daikanyama
Have you tried Paletas delicious frozen fruit bars on a stick? They are not only refreshing, with a range of exciting flavours, buying one feels ridiculously indulgent - the champagne of the frozen dessert world.

We had an excellent experience adopting our lovely dog Kaseki from Animal Rescue Kansai (Ark) - one of the few adoption agencies serving Tokyo (despite the name), and perhaps the most English-language-friendly. The pets are spayed, microchipped, vaccinated, and generally well looked after, and they make a good effort to ensure you're going to be a compatible pet parent. Considering the cost (financial and ethical) of buying a pet from a shop, this is a fantastic deal.

It's easy to forget that Tokyo is a city of canals, but when we arrived at the Tokyo Great Kayak Tour office, there they were: a winding network through a range of neighbourhoods you might not otherwise visit. We did it during cherry blossom time, and the canals had a carpet of pink petals which made it all the more charming. The tour involved pottering up and down some of the canals in a manner that was serene punctuated by high adrenaline when we crossed the Sumida River! This is delightful and a chance to see and experience Tokyo from a different angle.

Kita no Maru park is a hidden gem of Tokyo. Located between the Imperial Palace and Kudanshita station, it is a foresty haven of neighbourhood charm. It has a big lawn and a pond, woodland paths, a babbling brook, and even a waterfall - not to mention the Budokan, the Science Museum, the Modern Art Museum and Craft Gallery - and a couple of Edo Castle-era gates. Yet it manages to be pretty serene, have amazing fall foliage, and the go-to spot for every dog owner in the neighbourhood.

How the awards were chosen: over the year we have been to lots of bars, restaurants, events and places in Tokyo. Categories: things we particularly like. Inclusion criteria: did we happen to experience this place? Winning criteria: did we, subjectively, consider it to be the most delightful in its category?

Why no best bar? We didn't fall in love with any specific bar this year, despite dedicated hunting. Looking forward to further research and to adding the category for 2017.

Welcome to 2017! Did you read about all our top picks of 2016 in Tokyo? Great! And now it's time for a fabulous First Week. So what are you going to do? It's a pretty low key kick off to the year, so it's a short one this week, but we have you covered anyway.

Sun Jan 1 Sing Street is screening in lovely Ginrei Hall cinema all this week. We got an annual pass for Christmas so will be going there a lot!

Mon Jan 2 Today and for the rest of this week you can enjoy a screening of hit London play The Entertainer at Cine Libre in Ikebukuro at 12:50 or 7pm.

Tue Jan 3 The Entertainer is screening at Cine Libre in Ikebukuro at 12:50 or 7pm.

Wed Jan 4 - It's Good Heavens Comedy Club's first stand up comedy show of the year! The Entertainer is also on at 12:50 or 7pm.

Thu Jan 5 - The Entertainer is at 12:50 or 7pm.

Fri Jan 6 - Finish off the first week of 2017 with Gamuso Comedy in Asagaya. Or catch the last evening screening of The Entertainer at Cine Libre in Ikebukuro at 7:10pm only. (tomorrow is the final show at 4pm).

Oh, and have you got your tickets for Perfect Liars Club on January 12th? Reserve now to save 500 yen per ticket!

December's Perfect Liars Club was fantastic - and again, the liar was not caught... See photos and reserve your tickets for January 12th. But until then, what do to? We at Perfect Liars Club love to feel as festive as possible over the Christmas season. Christmas carols! Tinsel! Reindeer! Alarmingly large tree in our house! Lovely days off and the whole city in which to have a delightful time! So... what should we get up to?

FESTIVE FUN AVAILABLE ALL THROUGH THE FESTIVE SEASON

I've already splashed out on tickets for the big Christmas Wonderland show at Tokyu Theatre Orb - it sounds like a festive extravaganza and it's on 16th - 25th December. Or if your festive traditions include a bit of Broadway, Rent the Musical, in English, is running at Tokyo International Forum 16-31st December. There are lots of illuminations to visit around town, which sound amazing. I especially like the sound of the Caretta Shiodome lights (5-11pm) which I'm planning to combine with a visit to this cool Ghibli clock at nearby Nittele Tower (be there 5 mins before 6 or 8pm for the clock action) - and maybe finish off the evening with a little G&T in nearby lovely Land Bar Artisan. There are also Christmas markets aplenty - I am most looking forward to Hibiya's German Christmas market backed by the German Embassy (so much so that I mistakenly went there this week - I now know it's open 16-25th Dec). Also, we are a rather excited about ice rinks (or if you want to be quirkier on the ice, there's a rooftop curling rink in Shibuya!). So that's all fun. But what about events that are only on specific days, I hear you ask? Your wish is my command. I'll even include some extra-Christmassy options for you. Have fun, Tokyoites - and happy holidays!

INDIVIDUAL DAY PLANNER 

Fri 16th Dec - Kick off the festivities with talks about food, elections and nanomaterials at Nerdnite tonight, or else head over to a Nakamekurositsu circus show (juggling/acrobatics/aerial things) at Setagaya Public Theatre's Theatre Tram at 7:30pm. Or go to Balls to the Wall Comedy in Roppongi. If you're feeling festive, the Tokyo Ballet is doing The Nutcracker. Finally, if you're a night owl and like Charlie Chaplin, head to Ginrei Hall in Iidabashi for a one-night-only, night-long Charlie Chaplin marathon. Starts at 11pm, finishes at 5:30am.

Sat 17th Dec - First head to the Christmas market at the UN Farmers Market. Then the Nakamekurositsu circus show is on at 2pm and 6pm (I'm going at 6) in Sangenjaya. Or see The Nutcracker.

Sun 18th Dec - The Nakamekurositsu circus show is on at 2pm only. And in the evening is the Gamuso comedy show in Asagaya. Or the last night of The Nutcracker.

Mon 19th Dec - Bunkamura has the Glory Gospel Singers if you are in the mood for some festive music tonight. Or on a rather different note, there's a free lecture at Temple University on zen Buddhism and sexual desire...

Tue 20th Dec - Tonight is the Tokyo launch of Space Cafe. Affiliated with the International Space University, this is a cool public event where you get to hear space leaders and prominent experts talk to you about awesome space things. I went to this regularly in Washington DC, got to hear from NASA people, and it was fantastic. Tonight, Elizabeth Tasker from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) will talk about JAXA's asteroid explorer mission, Hayabusa2, to find the origins of life. This should be very cool.

Wed 21st Dec - If you can manage to get tickets (I randomly did via Twitter), it's Time Out Tokyo's Love Tokyo awards this afternoon at 4. Then turn out for the final Good Heavens Comedy Show this year! There's also a Christmas Special Disney concert if you are in the mood for some festive Disney music.

Thu 22nd Dec - There's a shadow puppet and music show called Rendez-Li-Vous by 99 Roll tonight - while it's in Japanese, I'm assured that two of the three stories have  no words at all, so you can appreciate the bulk of it without knowing Japanese. (Put the website into Google Chrome/translate for more info). The musician, Daremo Shiranai, won a Cannes festival award for her song for the film "Nobody Knows".

Fri 23rd Dec - There's a big Christmas concert of music by the Ukraine National Orchestra including quite a lot from The Nutcracker at the Tokyo International Forum if you are feeling festive.

Sat 24th Dec - The same Christmas concert of music by the Ukraine National Orchestra is on today; this time it's at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. From today all through to January, see the movie Sing Street at Ginrei Hall. And tonight for the next week, don't miss some top class British Shakespeare: The Winter's Tale starring Judy Dench is screening in English at Ikebukuro's Cine Libre tonight and for the next week. 

Sun 25th Dec - Merry Christmas! This is my first Christmas in Japan. I am reliably told that today is about planning a Christmas date (because apparently Christmas is the holiday of romance in this city), eating KFC (because chicken has become the festive bird of choice in Japan), and devouring Christmas cake (which turns out to be sponge cake with strawberries and cream on it). I'll be visiting a Christmas market and going to the movies too. Hooray for holidays!

Mon 26th Dec - Tonight at 7pm Good Heavens is screening that festive classic It's A Wonderful Life, accompanied by various festive treats, free. They are putting it on by special request from us, it's the only place to see it on screen in Tokyo, and it's the perfect way to enjoy a traditional festive season. Don't miss it. We'll see you there.

Tue 27th Dec - It's new material at stand up comedy night tonight at Double Tall Cafe in Shibiya.

Wed 28th Dec - Tonight Apocrypha brings us a night of stories, discussion and beer. The theme of tonight's true stories being performed: 'blessings in disguise'.

Thu 29th Dec - Not much on today, so looks like it's time for you to check out Christmas Wonderland show at Tokyu Theatre Orb or Rent the Musical.

Fri 30th Dec - Finally we get to go to a Drunk Poets See God night, and we're excited. It promises music, poetry, stories and the like - and it's open mic if you feel like performing. Doors at 7pm at Bar Gari Gari. The theme: far away for the holidays.

Sat 31st Dec - HAPPY NEW YEAR! Want to go to some theatre pre-late-night-celebration? How about heading to Ikebukuro's Cine Libre to watch The Entertainer from the Garrick Theatre in London? Screening time not published yet... Also, look out for our Perfect Liars Club Best of Tokyo 2016 Awards which we'll be publishing today - exciting.

​See you next year, Tokyoites.

PS Plan far in advance

Obviously you need Perfect Liars Club tickets for January 12th. Reserve here. (note: 1500 in advance, 2000 on the door, both include a drink!)

If you are into comedy by world famous superstar comedians, make sure you get tickets for Eddie Izzard's show on Saturday February 25th! Probably wise to book sooner rather than later.

The coolest things to do in Tokyo in the next couple of weeks

I know you are counting the days til Perfect Liars Club on 15th December - the event of the season. But to pass those long evenings before it's time for that, here's a double edition of cool things for you to do in Tokyo (as I'm going on vacation)  - so here's what to do til I get back and Perfect Liars Club is upon us! Have a great time, Tokyoites!

Fri 25 Nov - It's the last Friday of the month so you know what that means: my favorite improv night, Improvazilla AND Drunk Poets See God open mic story/poetry/music night AND Dr Sketchy's burlesque drawing event. And as though the usual trio isn't sufficiently excessive for one night, Nerd Nite has decided to get on the bandwagon and is also on tonight. And someone just told me about This&That Cafe, a live art and live music night at Roppongi. For goodness' sake! Also it's the final weekend of the Tokyo FILMeX film festival - all films have English language subtitles.

Sat 26 Nov -  During the day today and tomorrow, Design Festa is a giant art event showcasing thousands of artists including lots of arty performances. In the evening, a new Japanese theatre company are performing a brand new musical, Kaso Jogi, which has English surtitles tonight only, in Nakano. Also, it's the penultimate day of the Tokyo FILMeX film festival.

Sun 27 Nov - My favourite art event in Tokyo is today at 4pm - head to PauseDraw for jolly companionable drawing games. And it's the final day of the Tokyo FILMeX film festival.

Mon 28 Nov - Feel like you just haven't heard enough about Donald Trump? Why not pop along to Temple University to hear their Director of Asian Studies on 'Trumpageddon and implications for Asia' this evening? It's free. 

Tue 29 Nov - Are you a hacker? (That's someone who makes and mixes technology, art, music, design stuff, general geekery, 3D printing and the like). The Tokyo Hackerspace has a free open house tonight in Itabashi, mostly in English.

Wed 30 Nov - As ever, Wednesday night means Good Heavens Comedy Club. Hooray!

Fri 2 Dec - The Gamuso comedy show is on tonight in Asagaya.

Sat 3 Dec - There's stand up comedy tonight at Vega Wine Bar in Ebisu.

Sun 4 Dec - The place to be tonight is Roppongi. Bilingual improv troupe Pirates of Tokyo Bay have their big 6th anniversary show tonight at SuperDeluxe and it's going to be big. Also tonight is Comedy SumoSlam where two teams of comedians battle to the death in an exciting topical news quiz. No, I'm not performing in this one - I'll be on vacation. But it will still be fab. 

Wed 7 Dec - Instead of the usual stand up comedy tonight, Good Heavens Comedy Club has an international comedy headliner, award winning Steve Bugeja from the UK. Don't miss it (or if you do, he's on again on Friday)!

Thu 8 Dec - Go see short films at Good Heavens this week - it's the second edition of the cool little indie film event, Shorts on Tap: London Calling. 

Fri 9 Dec - The second and final opportunity for you to see international comedy headliner, award winning Steve Bugeja from the UK.

Sat 10 Dec - Tonight it's the launch party of the 3rd edition of the Tokyo Poetry Journal. The theme is poetry's relationship with music, so expect both - and note that the main language is English.

Thu 15th Dec - It's the best night of the month - Perfect Liars Club. Make sure you've reserved your tickets because this sells out and it is amazing. Plus we have particularly cool performers. (I say that every month - but you won't be disappointed this month!)

PS I wrote an article about English language theatre for Tokyo Cheapo. Here it is.

Greetings from Tallinn. Usually I write about all the cool things I did in Tokyo over the past week but in fact I've been in Estonia for work, so I've done no fun things at all. Oh, except for Saturday when I went to the Ebisu Cheese Festa (and found it so busy and stressful I failed to get any cheese); to Kinokuniya books in Shinjuku again (for some delightful English language book browsing), and to Bill's in Ginza (for some absolutely delicious dining)... Despite my absence (and my imminent absence next week on a second work trip!) I have still selflessly identified all the best things to do in Tokyo next week, especially for you, dear reader. Enjoy while thinking of me slaving away and missing all the fun. I'll be back for Improvazilla next Friday though!

Coolest things to do in Tokyo this week

Fri 18 Nov - Tokyo's only other storytelling night (aside from lovely Perfect Liars Club) is Apocrypha and the theme tonight is Doubt. It's at Bar Gari Gari. Should be a good night.

Sat 19 Nov - Another NTLive play, The Hard Problem, screened from London, kicks off its week-long run tonight at Le Cinema Bunkamura in Shibuya - it's on at 6pm. Enjoy. Also tonight is the launch of another film festival, Tokyo FilmEx, which showcases emerging Asian directors and very helpfully has English subtitles on all its films: hooray! Here's a description of the films and here's the schedule. Some sound rather fantastic. It's on for a week, til next Sunday.

Sun 20 Nov - The Gamuso comedy show is on in Asagaya tonight.

Mon 21 Nov - In the mood for some US politics? Head over to Temple University tonight to hear a panel of political thinkers (including two from Forbes magazine) talk about 'Race and Realignment: How will the Democratic and Republican parties reformulate after 2016?'. It's free but you should register at the link.

Tue 22 Nov - Tonight it's stand up comedy new material night in Shibuya.

Wed 23 Nov - Top comedy night Good Heavens Comedy Club is back tonight in Shimokitazawa.

Thu 24 Nov - Pecha Kucha is back at SuperDeluxe in Roppongi tonight. This show now happens all over the world, but Tokyo is the original. Expect short, cool talks in English and Japanese by architects, designers, and other arty type people. This is a really cool event.

Fri 25 Nov - It's the last Friday of the month so you know what that means: my favorite improv night, Improvazilla AND Drunk Poets See God open mic story/poetry/music night AND Dr Sketchy's burlesque drawing event. And as though the usual trio isn't sufficiently excessive for one night, Nerd Nite has decided to get on the bandwagon and is also on tonight. For goodness' sake! Really wish people would spread these over the whole month! But yes, four excellent options for you to enjoy.

Don't forget to reserve your tickets for Perfect Liars Club on 15th December - and if you'd like to tell a story at the show, email us asap! We have one more spot.