What's On

Transport Yourself To Tokyo At This Immersive Pop-Up In Auckland

By Jess Willemse

It's not hard to be obsessed with Tokyo. This city has a special place in our hearts, from its neon-lit alleyways to tasty street food and bustling crossings. 

So we thought it was only fair to bring the best of Tokyo right to the centre of Auckland—no plane ticket needed. For two days only, we're teaming up with Suntory BOSS Coffee to bring you a sensory experience that will enchant your eyes and tickle your taste buds. 

Tokyo House ticks all the boxes in true Urban List style, from immersive art installations to DJs, coffee cocktail tastings, and authentic Japanese street food. Landing in Ponsonby from Friday, February 25–Saturday, February 26, you won't want to miss this one. 

Your evening kicks off wandering through a Shinjuku-style alleyway, decked out in all the trimmings—and we guarantee it's anything but ordinary. Lucky for you, we have the inside scoop on what's in store.

Upon entry, you'll be greeted with a kaleidoscope of colours and transported to Shibuya Crossing, thanks to an immersive life-sized projection spanning the room. It's everything you'd ever want from Tokyo—a haze of billboards and people, set to the backdrop of a humming city soundscape. 

But the visual wonderland doesn't end there. Next, Japanese artist and illustrator Jun Arita will take the stage, dropping his boss skills in this 3D environment. To the beat of DJ KATANA, he'll wrap the walls with an evocative illustration in real-time. Expect a high-energy session where Arita brings to life the tone of Tokyo through his signature creative style, brimming with colour, patterns and characters.   

By now, you'll be keen for a drink—and we have you more than covered. Step through to the courtyard bar for a cocktail masterclass with Masu's award-winning mixologist, Akira Ohki. Of course, the star of the class is a few chilled cans of Suntory BOSS Coffee. This stuff is favourited by the Japanese for its authentic flash-brew method, only made better with a drop or two of booze. 

Espresso martinis in hand, kick back and enjoy the good vibes for the rest of your session. You'll also find delicious authentic Japanese street food on your journey.

And just when you think it's all over, you'll be sent off with a packed goodie bag to keep the vibes high at home. Inside, you'll find a print from Jun Arita himself, a curated playlist by DJ KATANA, and, of course, plenty of coffee. 

You don’t want to miss this, grab your mates and come experience Tokyo as you would in layers, brought to you by Suntory BOSS Coffee.

The Details

What: Tokyo House
When: Friday, February 25–Sunday, February 27
Where: 230 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
Cost: $30 pp.

Now sold out, head here to win tickets to the exclusive launch of Tokyo House. 

Editor's note: This article is sponsored by Suntory BOSS Coffee and proudly endorsed by Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

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