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FESTIVAL LISTINGS

Japanese festivals and fairs in and around Tokyo (Sept. 2009) Tourist Information Center, Japan National Tourist Organization The Japanese festival information was compiled in cooperation with the Tourist Information Center of the Japan National Tourist Organization. (10th floor, Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Bldg., 2-10-1, Yurakucho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo 100-0006). Call (03) 3201-3331 for all your Japan tourist information needs (open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily). Click to see August's festival schedule. Festivals around other areas of Kanto

Kitazawa Hachima Shrine Autumn Festival Sept. 5 to Sept. 6		Annual Festival of Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine, Daizawa, Setagaya-ku. On the 5th, kagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed from around 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. On the 6th, over twenty mikoshi parade in the neighborhood of the shrine from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Bugaku (ancient court dance with music) is dedicated to the shrine from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Access: (1) The Keio Inokashira Line to Ikenoue Sta., and then walk 7 min. (2) The Odakyu Line to Shimokitazawa Sta. (South Exit), and then walk 12 min.

Annual Festival of Senzokuike Hachimangu Shrine Sept. 5 to Sept. 6		Annual Festival of Senzokuike Hachimangu Shrine, Ota-ku. On the 5th, Jindai-kagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed in the precincts of the shrine from 7 p.m. On the 6th, mikoshi parade through the town from 8 a.m. and return to the shrine at 7 p.m. Kasai-bayashi (Shinto festival music) from 10 a.m., and Jindai-kagura from 2 p.m. are performed in the precincts. About 60 open-air stalls are set up on both days. Access: The Tokyu Ikegami Line to Senzokuike Sta., and then walk 5 min.

OH! E-DO DANCE Sept. 5 to Sept. 6		OH ! E-DO DANCE Matsuri 2009 Festival features a dance performance contest for school children in groups at Tomin Hiroba (Citizens' Plaza at Tokyo City Hall) and on Tocho-dori Ave. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. They dance to the tune of old Japanese famous songs and music, which were very popular about 70 years ago, particularly in Tokyo . Access: The Toei Oedo Subway Line to Tocho-mae Sta.

Annual Festival of Hakusan Shrine Sept. 7 to Sept. 8		Annual Festival of Hakusan Shrine, Kami-Ogi, Suginami-ku. mikoshi carried by townspeople in "Happi" coats parade in the neighborhood of the shrine from 10:45 a.m. to around 6 p.m. on the 7th. kagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed continually from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 8th. Access: The JR Chuo Line or the Marunouchi Subway Line to Ogikubo Sta. (West Exit), and then walk 5 min.

Shoga Matsuri of Ninomiya Shrine Sept. 8 to Sept. 9		Ninomiya Jinja Shoga Matsuri (Ginger Root Festival) at Ninomiya Shrine, Akiruno. The event, annually held on the day of the shrine's autumn festival, features open-air stalls selling fresh ginger roots with leaves to the worshipers, who would enjoy hearing stallholders shouting ""Protect against evils" and "If you take ginger roots, you'll be free from colds." This year, fresh ginger roots are sold on the 9th. On the 9th, mikoshi parade in the neighboring area from around 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and then kabuki is played by children in the precincts from 7:30 p.m. mikagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed by children from 7 p.m. on both days. Access: The JR Itsukaichi Line to Higashi-Akiru Sta., and then walk 5 min.

Dara-Dara Matsuri Sept. 11 to Sept. 21		Dara-Dara Matsuri Festival at Shiba Daijingu Shrine, Minato-ku. The festival is also known as ""Shoga Matsuri" (Ginger Root Festival). Open-air stalls selling fresh ginger roots are set up from 10 a.m. daily during the festival period. On the 20th, about 50 mikoshi are carried through the neighboring area, starting from the shrine at 1 p.m. and lasting until 4 p.m. Access: (1)The Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Daimon Sta., and then walk 3 min. (2)The JR Yamanote Line to Hamamatsucho Sta., and then walk 5 min.

Annual Festival of Kasai Shrine Sept. 11 to Sept. 13		Annual Festival of Kasai Shrine, Higashi-Kanamachi, Katsushika-ku. On the 11th, ohayashi (festival music) is played by children in the precincts from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. On the 12th, Sato-kagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed at times from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A parade of mikoshi owned by the town is held in the neighboring area of the shrine from morning to evening on the 12th & the 13th. On the 13th, Kasai-bayashi (festival music) is played continually from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The festival is rather small in scale this year. Access: The Chiyoda Subway Line or the JR Joban Line to Kanamachi Sta., and then walk 10 min.

Annual Festival of Nogi Shrine Sept. 12 to Sept. 13		Annual Festival of Nogi Shrine, Nogizaka, Minato-ku. The Shinto rites take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the 13th. The house of the late General Nogi and the museum where the articles left by him are exhibited, are open to the public for free of charge, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. About 100 beautiful lanterns with pictures painted by famous painters on them are also displayed in the precincts of the shrine until around 7 p.m. on both days. Access: The Chiyoda Subway Line to Nogizaka Sta., and then walk 1 min.

Omikoshi Togyo & Rengo mikoshi Togyo Sept. 12 to Sept. 13		Omikoshi-Togyo & Rengo mikoshi-Togyo (Kichijoji Aki-Matsuri) is one of the biggest festivals in Kichijoji. A parade of mikoshi owned by Musashino Hachimangu Shrine leaves the shrine at 11 a.m. and proceeds in the shopping area until 5 p.m. on the 12th. Mikoshi parade again through the shopping area from 1 p.m. and come back to the shrine at 5:30 p.m. on the 13th. Over 10 mikoshi owned by the towns parade through each town from around 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days. Access: Keio Line or JR Chuo Line to Kichijoji Sta.

Grand Sumo Tournament Sept. 13 to Sept. 27		Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan Hall, Sumida-ku. Dohyo-iri or the ring-entering ceremony by Yokozuna (grand champions) takes place at 4 p.m. daily, after which the main tournament by Maku-uchi Rikishi (upper-rank sumo wrestlers) starts. Reserved seat tickets are sold at convenience stores, such as LAWSON, Family Mart, Seven-Eleven and Circle-K Sunkus, or a box office such as Ticket Pia (Tel: 0570-02-9977), or also at Ryogoku Kokugikan Hall (Tel: 0570-02-9310), all starting from Aug. 8th. Unreserved chair seat tickets (on the 3rd floor) are sold on the day for ¥2,100 starting from 8:30 a.m. at Ryogoku Kokugikan Hall daily on a first-come, first-served basis, during the tournament period. The number of the tickets is limited to 400 daily. Access: The JR Sobu Line or the Toei Oedo Subway Line to Ryogoku Sta.

Heiwajima Antiques Fair Sept. 18 to Sept. 20		Heiwajima Antique Fair at Tokyo Ryutsu Center, Heiwajima, Ota-ku, is held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or to 4 p.m. on the last day) with about 250 dealers participating. Access: The Tokyo Monorail Line originating at Hamamatsucho Sta. to Ryutsu Center Sta.

Autumn Festival of Juniso Kumano Shrine Sept. 19 to Sept. 20		Autumn Festival of Juniso Kumano Shrine, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, near Shinjuku Chuo Koen (park). Kagura (Shinto music and dance), acrobatic feats, a comic monologue and music shows, are held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both days. Mikoshi owned by the shrine and by the town parade in the neighborhood of the shrine from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 20th. Access: (1) The Toei Oedo Subway Line to Tocho-mae Sta., and then walk 5 min. (2) Take Keio Bus from Shinjuku Sta. (West Exit), and then get off at Juniso Ikeno-shita Bus Stop. (the 2nd stop from Shinjuku Sta.) (3) JR or Subway Shinjuku Sta., and then walk 10-15 min.

Annual Festival of Nezu Shrine Sept. 19 to Sept. 20		Annual Festival of Nezu Shrine, Nezu, Bunkyo-ku. Urayasu-no-mai or kagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed from 7 p.m. on both days, and Sanza-no-mai (Shinto music and dance) is performed from 2 p.m. on the 20th. Open-air stalls are set up from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on both days. The festival is rather small in scale this year. Access: The Chiyoda Subway Line to Nezu Sta., and then walk 5 min.

Annual Festival of Hikawa Shrine Sept. 19 to Sept. 20		Annual Festival of Hikawa Shrine, Yakumo, Meguro-ku. Tsurugi-no-mai (sword dance) and kagura (Shinto music and dance) are performed continually from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the 19th. A parade of mikoshi proceeds in the neighborhood of the shrine, and gather at the shrine from around 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the 20th. Open-air stalls are set up on both days. Access: The Tokyu Toyoko Line to Toritsu-Daigaku Sta., and then walk 10 min.

Annual Festival of Yaho Temmangu Shrine Sept. 21 to Sept. 22		Annual Festival of Yaho Temmangu Shrine, Kunitachi, on the outskirts of Tokyo. A lantern parade is held in the neighborhood of the shrine from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 21st. The festival is noted for a parade of mando (poles decorated with pictures) weighing over 80 kg and carried by one man each, leisurely proceeding from Yaho Sta. (North Exit) to the shrine, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on the 22nd. Koshiki-Shishimai (Ancient Lion Dance) by three men from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and kagura (Shinto music and dance) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., are performed both in the precincts of the shrine on the 22nd. Access: JR Nambu Line to Yaho Sta., and then walk 3 min.

Aiba-no-Hi Sept. 23		Aiba-no-Hi (Horse Day) is celebrated at JRA Baji-Koen (park), and features various traditional equestrian events such as some local performing arts associated with horses. Yabusame (horseback archery) from 10:50 a.m., and Kachu-Keiba (horse racing show by armored warriors) from 11:30 a.m., and Shinki Sodatsusen (demonstration of a scramble for Shrine flags) from 2 p.m. are scheduled. Horse-riding experience is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Many more events are scheduled. The site is open for free of charge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Access: (1)The Tokyu Den'entoshi Line to Sakura Shimmachi Sta., and then walk 15 min. (2) 20 min. by bus for Seijo-Gakuen or Chofu-eki Minami-guchi from Shibuya Sta., and then get off at Nodai-mae Bus Stop.

Annual Festival of Naruko Tenjin Shrine Sept. 23 to Sept. 25		Annual Festival of Naruko Tenjin Shrine, Shinjuku-ku. Mikoshi owned by the town parade in the neighboring area from early afternoon to evening on the 23rd. kagura (Shinto music & dance) is dedicated to the shrine at times from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 24th and the 25th. Open-air stalls are set up during the festival period. Access: (1)The JR Shinjuku Sta. (West Exit), and then walk 10 min. (2)The Marunouchi Subway Line to Nishi-Shinjuku Sta., and then walk 2-3 min.

Ningyo Kuyo Sept. 25		Ningyo Kuyo (a funeral mass for used dolls) is held annually in the compound of Kiyomizu Kannondo Temple in Ueno Park. Japanese people often humanize their dolls. When they are not able to keep them any longer, they bring these dolls to this temple for a funeral mass for them. The dolls brought to the temple are cremated at 2 p.m. on this day, after a religious rites for the dolls' souls is conducted. Access: The JR Yamanote Line, the Ginza or Hibiya Subway Line to Ueno Sta., and then walk 2 min.

Annual Festival of Kaichu Inari Shrine Sept. 27		Annual Festival of Kaichu Inari Shrine, Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku. The highlight of the festival is a parade of Teppo Hyakunincho (100 sharpshooters of the Edo Period) from 9:30 a.m. to around 2:30 p.m. The parade starts from the shrine, going on Okubo-Dori (street), Otakibashi-Dori, Shokuan-Dori and stopping by Nishi-Toyama-Koen (park) near Takadanobaba Sta., and then comes back to the shrine. Access: (1)The JR Yamanote Line to Shin-Okubo Sta., and then walk 2 min. to the shrine. (2)The JR Chuo Line to Okubo Sta., and then walk 10 min. to the shrine.

Festivals around other areas of Kanto Tourist Information Center, Japan National Tourist Organization Festivals around Tokyo

Kashima Go-Jinko-sai Sept. 1 to Sept. 2		Kashima Go-Jinko-sai Festival of Kashima Jingu Shrine, Kashima, Ibaraki Pref. On the 1st, worshipers hang hundreds of lanterns onto a big bamboo branch and bring it into the sacred fire, which is kindled in the precincts of the shrine from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mikoshi leave the shrine for okariya (portable shrine resting place) at 8 p.m. On the 2nd, Urayasu-no-mai (Shinto dance) is performed in front of okariya from 10 p.m., and mikoshi return to the shrine at around 3:20 p.m. Access: 2 hrs. by bus from Tokyo Sta. (South Exit on Yaesu Side), and then get off at Kashima Jingu-mae Bus Stop.

kazusa Junisha Matsuri Sept. 13		Kazusa Junisha Matsuri Festival at Tamasaki Shrine, Ichinomiya-machi, Chosei-gun, Chiba Pref. The festival is known as "Hadaka Matsuri" (naked festival). Around 1 p.m. after the rites and gagaku (court music and dance), two mikoshi carried by hundreds of loin-clothed youth followed by parishioners and some Shinto priests set out for Tsurigasaki Beach, where the rest of the mikoshi from 12 shrines in the Kazusa area join and jostle with each other at around 3 p.m. Then all the mikoshi parade along the shopping arcade in the town from around 6 p.m., and return to Tamasaki Shrine at around 7:30 p.m. . Access: The JR Sotobo Line to Kazusa-Ichinomiya Sta., and then walk 8 min. to Tamasaki Shrine.

Annual Festival of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Sept. 14 to Sept. 16		Annual Festival of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref., a one-hour train ride from Tokyo Sta. On the 15th, a parade of mikoshi is scheduled on Wakamiya-oji (street) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and a performance of Japanese dances is held at Maiden (dancing stage) in the precincts of the shrine at 6 p.m. On the 16th, yabusame (horseback archery) is held in the precincts from 1 p.m. to around 3 p.m. The Shinto rites to be conducted on the evening of the 14th are closed to the public. Access: The JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Sta., and then walk 10 min.

Menkake Gyoretsu Sept. 18		Menkake Gyoretsu (masked parade) at Goryo Shrine, Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref. After the rites, kagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed in the precincts from around 1 p.m. A parade of Menkake-Gyoretsu (featuring men wearing grotesque and comical masks) accompanied by mikoshi to the tune of ohayashi (festival music) starts from the shrine at around 2 p.m., passing through the Sakanoshita area and returns to the shrine around 4 p.m. Access: 5 min. by the Enoden Line from Kamakura Sta. to Hase Sta., and then walk 3 min.

Ikaho Matsuri Sept. 18 to Sept. 20		Ikaho Matsuri Festival at Ikaho Onsen (hot spring) Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma Pref., is noted for its parade of Taru-mikoshi (cask-shaped portable shrines) proceeding along the town's main streets to Ikaho Shrine. Townspeople carrying Taru-mikoshi jostle with one another on the steps leading to the shrine at around 6 p.m. on the 19th and the 20th, and then the festival reaches its climax around 8 p.m. on both days. Access: The JR Jo'etsu Line to Shibukawa Sta. From there, 30 min. by bus for Ikaho Onsen, and then get off at Ikaho Onsen Bus Stop.

Annual Festival of Samukawa Shrine Sept. 19 to Sept. 20		Annual Festival of Samukawa Shrine, Samukawa-machi, Kanagawa Pref., features yabusame (horseback archery) in the precincts from 2 p.m. to around 4 p.m. on the 19th. An exhibition of flower arrangements and bonsai (potted plants), and a demonstration of kendo are scheduled on both days. Hours are still to be arranged. Access: (1)The JR Sagami Line to Miyayama Sta., and then walk 5 min. (2)20-30 min. by bus from Chigasaki Sta. on the JR Tokaido Honsen Line, and then get off at Samukawa Jinja Bus Stop.

Ishioka Matsuri Sept. 19 to Sept. 21		Ishioka Matsuri Festival of Hitachinokuni Soshagu, Ishioka, Ibaraki Pref., is noted for its vigorous Shishimai (Lion Dance) with a history dating back 300 years. On the 19th, a parade of mikoshi accompanied by 13 floats decorated with dolls on top and 25 Horojishi floats drawn by townspeople and a man wearing huge lion's mask each and dancing, leaves the shrine at 2 p.m. and arrives at Okariya (portable shrine storage) around 4 p.m. On the 20th, many events including sumo tournaments from 10:30 a.m. and kagura (Shinto music and dance) from 1 p.m., are scheduled in the precincts of the shrine. A parade of twenty-five Horojishi, and a parade of 13 floats proceed from Ishioka Sta. through the city, the Horojishi going from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the floats from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., respectively. On the 21st, mikoshi leave Okariya at 2 p.m., going through the city, and arrive at the shrine around 4 p.m. Access: The JR Joban Line to Ishioka Sta., and then walk 10-15 min.

Ohara Hadaka Matsuri Sept. 23 to Sept. 24		Ohara Hadaka Matsuri (naked festival) at Ohara Shrine, Ohara, Isumi, Chiba Pref. On the 23rd, 18 mikoshi , each originally starting from eighteen different places of the town, assemble at Ohara Kaisuiyokujo (beach) at 3 p.m., by the side of which mikoshi are jostled with one another in the sea. This is called "Shiofumi," the climax of the festival. Then all the portable shrines gather at Ohara Elementary School around 5:30 p.m., and then parade along the shopping malls of the town until 9 p.m. On the 24th, mikoshi parade through the town again from 4:30 p.m. and eventually return to each Shrine at around 10 p.m. Access: The JR Sotobo Line to Ohara Sta., and then walk 20 min. to the school and the beach.

Hatano Tabako Matsuri Sept. 26 to Sept. 27		Hadano Tabako Matsuri (tobacco festival), Hadano, Kanagawa Pref. A demonstration of taiko drumming is held at Honcho Elementary School from 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. on the 27th. A fireworks display is scheduled from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the 27th. In the case of rain, the fireworks display will be canceled. Some more events are scheduled for the 26th. Access: The Odakyu Line to Hadano Sta., and then walk 30 min.

Yassa Matsuri Sept. 29		Yassa Matsuri Festival at Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine, Minakami-machi, Gunma Pref. The festival has a 400-year history. Loin-clothed youth snake in the precincts of the shrine, shouting "Yassa, Yassa," and vie with one another by climbing up a bell rope attached to the top of the shrine, starting at 7 p.m. and lasting until 9 p.m. Access: The JR Jo'etsu Line to Gokan Sta., and then walk 20 min. or 5 min. by taxi.

Annual Festival of Igusa Hachimangu Shrine Sept. 302009 to Oct. 04		Annual Festival of Igusa Hachimangu Shrine, Suginami-ku., features Nodate (open-air tea ceremony), and a performance of kagura (Shinto music and dance) and gagaku (court music), all dedicated to the shrine on Oct. 1. Hours are still to be arranged. On Oct. 4, a parade of mikoshi (portable shrine) accompanied with floats on which ohdaiko (Japanese big drum beating) and ohayashi are performed, starts from the shrine at 1 p.m., going on Ome Kaido, and returns to the shrine at 5 p.m. Access: The JR Chuo Line to Ogikubo Sta. From there, 15 min. by bus to Hachimangu-ura Bus Stop.

Fukuro Matsuri Sept. 262009 to Oct. 11		Fukuro Matsuri is held around the West Exit of JR Ikebukuro Sta. On the 26th, a parade of mikoshi is held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On the 27th, mikoshi and Matsuri-bayashi (festival music), Shishimai (Lion Dance) and taiko drumming performances are scheduled from 12 noon to 8 p.m. The highlights of this festival are Japanese folk dances, such as Tokyo Yosakoi, Yassa-Odori and Sado-Okesa, all scheduled on Oct. 10 and 11. However, the hours are still to be arranged. Access: The JR Yamanote Line to Ikebukuro Sta. (West Exit)

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