мацурі Токіо, липень-серпень 2004

Festivals around Tokyo

(July 2004)


Tourist Information Center, Japan National Tourist Organization

June 30-July 1

Torigoe Chinowa-kuguri, traditional ceremony to pray for good health and longevity at Torigoe Shrine in Taito Ward, at 8 p.m. on June 30. On July 1, a gozabune boat carrying katashiro paper dolls will depart from Yanagibashi Bridge, close to JR Asakusabashi Station at 10 a.m., escorted by dozens of boats. The procession goes down the Sumida River as far as Tokyo Bay, then returns.

Access

(1) Subway Toei Asakusa Line, or Toei Oedo Line, to Kuramae Station, then walk 5 minutes to Torigoe Shrine. (2) JR Sobu Line, or Subway Asakusa Line, to Asakusabashi Station, then walk 1 minute to Yanagibashi.

July 6-8

Summer Fair of Zoshigaya Kishibojin Temple in Toshima Ward, features about 100 stalls that sell potted morning glories, wind bells, gold fish and other items, from around 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

Access: (1) JR Yamanote Line to Mejiro Station, then walk 10 minutes. (2) Toden (street car) Arakawa Line to Kishibojin-mae Station.

July 6-8

Asagao Ichi (morning glory fair) around Iriya Kishibojin Temple in Taito Ward. About 140,000 pots of morning glories are expected to be sold during the fair, wich is open from 5 a.m. until midnight.

Acess

(1) Subway Hibiya Line to Iriya Station, then walk 1 minute. (2) JR Yamanote Line, or JR Keihin Tohoku Line, to Uguisudani Station, then walk 5 minutes.

July 9-10

Hozuki Ichi (ground cherry pod fair) around Sensoji Temple in Taito Ward. Hundreds of streets stalls will be set up to sell ground cherry pods and wind bells. Event is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., or until items sold out on July 10.

Access

Subway Ginza Line, or Toei Asakusa Line, to Asakusa Station.

July 13

Toro-Nagashi? (floating of lighted lanterns on the water) in the Palace Moat at Chidorigafuchi Park in Chiyoda Ward, from 7:05 p.m. to around 8 p.m. Those who wish to see this event from a boat in the moat should line up from around 6:20 p.m. There are 90 boats available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event may be canceled in the event of rain.

Access

Subway Tozai Line, Hanzomon Line, or Toei Shinjuku Line, to Kudanshita Station.

July 13-16

Mitama Matsuri (souls festival) at Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda Ward. Major events include a demonstration of traditional martial arts from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on July 13. "Mikoshi" (portable shrines) will be paraded in the precincts from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 13 and 15. Japanese traditional dances will be performed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 13, 14 and 15, and from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 16.

Access

Subway Tozai Line, Hanzomon Line, or Toei Shinjuku Line, to Kudanshita Station.

July 14

Mizudome-no-mai (dragon dance), presented around Gonshoji Temple in Ota Ward. The festival dates back more than 500 years when the area experienced a catastrophic drought. The priest of this temple prayed for plentiful rain for a good harvest and his wish was fulfilled. Since then, there have been long periods of abundant rainfall, and people conversely had to pray for the rain to stop. Three dragons will present a dance praying for the rain to stop after they have paraded in the surrounding neighborhood, from around 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Access

Keihin Kyuko Line to Omorimachi Station, then walk 7-10 minutes.

July 16

Summer Noh Performance at Hosho Nohgakudo Theater in Bunkyo Ward. Performance runs from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Admission is 4,000 yen for a reserved seat or 3,000 yen for an unreserved seat.

Access

JR Sobu Line, or Chuo Line, to Sendagaya Station, then walk 5 minutes

July 17-18

My Town Festival at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya Ward. This is a huge flea market attended by people from all over town. Many street shops will sell clothing and miscellaneous goods from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since people who operate those stalls do so with their family or friends, the colorful and busy site evokes a homey atmosphere. The festival may be canceled in the event of rain.

Access

(1) Subway Chiyoda Line to Meiji-Jingumae? Station. (2) JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station.

July 17

Toro-nagashi (floating of lighted lanterns) at Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park in Taito Ward, from around 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Access

JR Yamanote Line, Subway Ginza Line, or Hibiya Line, to Ueno Station.

July 17-Aug. 8

Ueno Natsu Matsuri (summer festival) on the banks of Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park. On July 17, lighted lanterns will be floated on the pond. On July 23, an exhibition of ice sculptures will be held from 3 p.m. In the evening of July 24, there will be a large pageant of local performing arts native to many regions of Japan from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A potted plant fair and antique fair (until Aug. 10) will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. every day during the festival period on the banks of Shinobazu Pond.

Access

JR, Subway Ginza Line, or Hibiya Line, to Ueno Station.

July 20

Sumomo Matsuri (plum festival) at Ohkunitama Shrine in Fuchu, western Tokyo, a 40-minute train ride from Shinjuku. Temporary stalls selling plums or "uchiwa"(fans) with a crow patterns of crow will be set up in the shrine compound from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shinto music and dancing will be presented 2 to 8 p.m.

Access

(1) Keio Line to Fuchu Station, then walk 5 minutes. (2) JR Nambu Line, or Musashino Line, to Fuchu Honmachi Station, then walk 5 minutes.

July 20-24

Awa Odori folk dancing is presented by townspeople wearing "yukata" along Kagurazaka-Dori? Ave. from 7 to 9 p.m. on July 23 and 24. A ground cherry pod fair will be held from noon to 10 p.m. from July 20 to 22.

Access

(1) JR Sobu Line, or Subway Yurakucho, Tozai, Toei Oedo or Namboku lines to Iidabashi Station. (2) Subway Tozai Line to Kagurazaka Station.

July 25-Aug. 1

Asagao-ten (exhibition of morning glories) is held at Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda Ward from 6 a.m. (Morning glories usually can be seen until 10 or 11 a.m.) A class for pressing "asagao"flowers will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Access

Subway Tozai Line, Hanzomon Line, or Toei Shinjuku Line, to Kudanshita Station.

July 25

Hanabi Taikai (fireworks display) on the banks of the Tama River, from 7:20 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (10,000-piece display). If it rains, the event will be postponed until Aug. 11.

Access

Keio Line to Keio Tamagawa Station and walk 5 minutes, or Keio Line to Futa Station and walk 20 minutes.

July 27

Hanabi Taikai (fireworks display) on the Edo River near the area called Shibamata Yakyu-jo Baseball Ground in Katsushika Ward. The one-hour display will start at 7:20 p.m. with about 6,500 pieces. Japanese drumming will be performed from 6:15 to 7 p.m. In the event of heavy rain or strong winds, the event will be postponed until the next day.

Access

(1) Keisei Kanamachi Line to Shibamata Station, then walk 10 minutes. (2) Hokuso-Kaihatsu? Railway to Shin-Shibamata? Station, then walk 15 minutes.

July 28-Aug. 3

Asagao-ten (exhibition of morning glories) will be held at Hibiya Park (near the tennis courts) in Chiyoda Ward, from around 8 a.m.

Access

Subway Hibiya Line, Chiyoda Line, or Toei Mita Line, to Hibiya Station

July 29

Hanabi Taikai (fireworks display) along the Arakawa River between Senju Shinbashi Bridge and Nishi-Arabashi? Bridge, from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. (10,000 pieces). If the wind is above 8 meters per second, the event will be postponed until the next day.

Access

(1) Subway Chiyoda Line, Hibiya Line, or JR Joban Line, to Kita-Senju? Station, then walk 15 minutes. (2) Tobu Isezaki Line to Kosuge Station, then walk 15 minutes.

July 31

Hanabi Taikai (fireworks display) on the Sumida River, centering on Sakurabashi and Kototoibashi Bridges, and on Komagatabashi and Umayabashi Bridges, from 7:10 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (20,000 pieces in total). In the event of heavy rain or strong winds, the event will be postponed until the next day. Should it heavily rain on that day (Aug. 1), the event will be canceled.

Access

Subway Ginza Line, or Toei Asakusa Line, to Asakusa Station (Other stations close to the sites to see the fireworks are: Honjo-Azumabashi? Station on Subway Toei Asakusa Line; Ryogoku and Asakusabashi stations on the JR Sobu Line; or Narihirabashi Station on the Tobu Isezaki Line.)

July 24

Tokyo Sansa-Odori? (folk dancing) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Chuo-dori Ave. From July 17 to Aug. 8 (except Mondays), various entertaining performances including traditional dances and music will be given at Mizudori-no Stage by Shinobazu Pond from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Admission is free)

Access: JR or Subways to Ueno Station.

---

KANTO (other than Tokyo)

July 1-5

Tanabata Maturi (star-crossed lovers festival) in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Streets are decorated with hanging ornaments and many glittering oddities of fanciful design, and they are lit at night until 10 p.m. (9 p.m. on July 5). A parade is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. on July 2. Other major events include a parade with brass bands and "Miss Tanabata" beauty queens from around 2:30 p.m. on July 4, and a parade of 1,000 Tanabata Odori folk dancers from 1 p.m. on July 5.

Access

JR Tokaido Line to Hiratsuka Station.

July 9-11

Narita Gion Matsuri of Shinshoji Temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture. This temple has a history of 1,000 years. Ten colorful floats and "mikoshi" portable shrines will parade along the city's main streets every day until around 10 p.m. The climax is the "sobiki"parade of floats and mikoshi, which starts at 1:30 pm on July 11 from Nakanocho, near Shinshoji Temple, and proceeds to Shinshoji Temple.

Access

JR Narita (Sobu) Line, or Keisei Line, to Narita Station, then walk 10 minutes to the temple.

July 11

Tenno-sai Festival, at Yasaka Shrine (Enoshima Shrine) in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. "mikoshi"owned by the shrine will be paraded by about 150 youths and carried to the sea from around 11 a.m. The portable shrine returns to Yasaka Shrine at around 6 p.m.

Access

(1) Odakyu Line to Katase-Enoshima? Station, then walk 20 minutes. (2) Enoshima Dentetsu (Enoden) Railways to Enoshima Station, then walk 30 minutes.

July 12

Kurihama Perry-sai, featuring a fireworks display at Kurihama Beach in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (about 3,000 pieces). In the event of rain, the fireworks and other events will be postponed until the next day. A bazaar will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a parade will be held from 4 to 5 p.m.

Access

Keihin Kyuko Line to Keikyu-Kurihama? Station, then walk 15 minutes to Kurihama Beach.

July 15

Yudate-no Shishi-mai (lion dance) at Suwa Shrine, Miyagino, Hakonemachi, Ashigara Shimono-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Access

from JR Odawara Station, 40 minutes by bus bound for Kojiri Togendai; get off at Miyagino bus stop, then walk 10 minutes.

July 16-July 18

Sagawa Gion Matsuri of Yasaka Shrine in Sagawa, Chiba Prefecture. This festival is highlighted by a parade of beautiful floats, some exhibiting large traditional dolls, along the city's main street from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday during the festival period.

Access

JR Sobu Line to Sawara Station, then walk 15 minutes to the shrine.

July 18 & 19

Annual Summer Festival of Kainan Shrine, Misaki Kaigan, Miura, Kanagawa Prefecture. Huge lacquered male and female lions, carried by 50 to 60 men, will parade through the town to the "okariya"(temporary resting place), where they will stay until midnight. When the lions are taken back to the shrine, the bearers jostle one another and are escorted by a parade of portable shrines and floats, from 1 pm.

Access

Keihin Kyuko Line to Misakigchi Station, then 15 minutes by bus to the Misaki-Ko? bus stop, then walk 3 minutes.

July 18

Hanabi Taikai (fireworks display) at Yamashita Park, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, from 7:30 to 8:40 p.m. (about 6,000 pieces). In the event of rain, the fireworks will be postponed until the next day.

Access: (1) JR Negishi Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku? Line to Sakuragicho Station, then walk 20 minutes. (2) JR Negishi Line (or JR Keihin-Tohoku? Line) to Kannai Station then walk 15 minutes.

July 19-20

Kawase Matsuri of Chichibu Shrine, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, features a procession of a colorful floats, from 1 to 10 p.m. on July 19. A fireworks display is set for 8 to 9 p.m. on July 19. Around 1 p.m. on July 20, the "mikoshi,"having started from Chichibu Shrine, is to arrive at the Takenohara riverbed on the Arakawa River at around 2:30 p.m., and will be carried into the river. Floats are carried from early morning on July 20.

Access

(1) 70 minutes by JR Takasaki Line (from Ueno Station) to Kumagaya Station. Then 50 minutes by Chichibu Tetsudo Railway's express to Chichibu Station. (2) 90 minutes by Seibu Railway's limited express "Red Arrow" from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu-Chichibu? Station.

July 19

Hamari-sai of Samukawa Shrine, Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. This down-to-the-beach festival starts around 5 a.m., with 40 portable shrines are carried to the sea at Chigasaki Beach (Nishi-hama). A Shinto ritual will be conducted at the beach from 7 8 a.m. This is the noted "Dawn Festival."

Access

JR Tokaido Line to Chigasaki Station, then 20 minutes walk from the south exit, or temporary bus service on July 20 from the south exit to Nishi-hama.

July 20-22

Uchiawa Matsuri (fan-offering festival) of Yasaka Shrine, in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, features a parade of beautifully decorated floats to the accompaniment of flutes, drums and gongs. "Uchiwa"fans are distributed on the streets during this festival. The parade starts from 7 p.m, comes in front of the JR Kumagaya Station at around 7:15 p.m., and stays there for an hour on the 20th, from 1 to 9 p.m. on the 21st, and its climax at "omatsuri hiroba" around 10 p.m. on the 22nd.

Access

JR Takasaki Line to Kumagaya Station.

July 27-28

Kibune Matsuri at Manazuru-machi in Ashigara-Shimo-gun?, Kanagawa Prefecture. Colorfully decorated sacred boats and "mikoshi" will make a parade to the accompaniment of festival music from Kinbune Shrine to Manazuru Port from 1 p.m. on the 27th. A similar parade can be seen from 7:30 to 8 p.m. on the 28th.

Access

(1) JR Tokaido Line to Manazuru Station, then walk 20 minutes to the shrine. (2) 10 minutes by bus for Saboten Koen from JR Manazuru Station, and get off at Miyano-mae bus stop to go to the shrine.

July 30

Shonan Hiratsuka Fireworks Display, featuring 3,000 pieces, from 7:30 p.m. near the mouth of the Sagamihara River. In the event of rain, the fireworks will be postponed until July 31st.

Access

From JR Hiratsuka Station's South Exit, take a bus bound for Suka Port and get off at the terminal bus stop.

July 31-Aug. 1

Minato Matsuri (port festival) in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. Festival features a parade by a brass band and Japanese folk dancers in central Yokosuka 1 to 3:30 p.m. on July 31. In the event of rain, the parade will be canceled. A fireworks display at Shinkko Port, near Misaki Koen (park) and Umikaze Koen is scheduled from 7:40 to 8:20 p.m. (8,000 pieces) on Aug. 1. In the event of rain, the fireworks display will be postponed until the next day.

Access

Keihin Kyuko Line to Yokosuka-Chuo? Station.

July 31

Kosui Matsuri on Lake Ashi in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture. In the evening, ceremonial rites take place on boats in the middle of the lake by priests and parishioners of Hakone Shrine. Lighted lanterns will be floated on the water and a fireworks display (4,000 pieces) is set for 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Access

From Odawara Station, take a bus (60 minutes) to Moto-Hakone? bus stop.

The Japan Times: June 30, 2004
(C) All rights reserved

---