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FESTIVAL LISTINGS

Japanese festivals and fairs in and around Tokyo (Jan. 2010) Tourist Information Center, Japan National Tourism Organization The Japanese festival information was compiled in cooperation with the Tourist Information Center of the Japan National Tourism Organization. (1st floor, Shin-Tokyo Bldg., 3-3-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo 100-0005). Call (03) 3201-3331 for all your Japan tourist information needs (open 9 a.m to 5 p.m. daily except Jan. 1). Click to see November's festival schedule. Festivals around other areas of Kanto

New Year's ceremonies Jan. 1 to Jan. 5		Yasukuni Jinja Nento Gyoji (New Year's ceremonies and entertainment) at Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda-ku. At midnight on Jan. 1, as the gate of the shrine opens and the drum heralding a New Year is beaten, many people enter the shrine to pray. Main events are scheduled as follows: (1) Jan. 1: kobudo (traditional martial arts) from 9:30 a.m.; mai-bayashi (festive music) from 1 p.m., Shishi-mai (Lion Dance) from 2 p.m., and taiko (traditional drumming) from 2:30 p.m., (2) Jan. 2: koto (Japanese zither with 13 strings) from 1 p.m. and shamisen from 3 p.m., (3) Jan. 3: yumi-hajime, the first practice of the year demonstrated by Ogasawara-ryu school of Japanese archery from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Japanese dance from 12 noon, Ohayashi, festival music from 2 p.m., and (4) Jan.4-5: Japanese dance from around 1 p.m. Access: The Tozai Line, Hanzomon Line or Toei Shinjuku SubwayLine to Kudanshita Station

Ippan Sanga Palace) Jan. 2		Kokyo Ippan Sanga (New Year's Congratulatory Visit) to the Imperial Palace, Chiyoda-ku, by people who are allowed to pass Nijubashi Bridge on this special occasion. The Imperial Family are scheduled to appear on the balcony to respond to the homage of people five times from around 10:10 a.m.-2:20 p.m. The entrance gate is open 9:30 a.m.-2:10 p.m. Access: (1) The Chiyoda Subway Line to Nijubashi-mae Station (2)The Hibiya, Chiyoda or Toei Mita Subway Line to Hibiya Station (3)The Yurakucho Subway Line to Sakuradamon Station

Tako-age Taikai Jan. 2		Shin-nen Tako-age Taikai (kite-flying festival) is held at Arakawa Todabashi Ryokuchi (recreation ground) in Itabashi-ku from 10 a.m. to around 2 p.m. Access: The Toei Mita Subway Line to Takashimadaira Station, and then walk 20 min.

daruma Ichi Jan. 2 to Jan. 3		Haijima Daishi daruma Ichi (fair of Dharma dolls) at Haijima Daishi Temple, Akishima, on the outskirts of Tokyo. About 600 open-air stalls selling daruma dolls of all types and sizes and others are set up in the temple precincts and along the approach to the temple from around 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Access: (1) The JR Chuo Line to Tachikawa Station (North Exit), and then take a bus to Haijima Daishi-mae Bus Stop. (2)The JR Ome Line to Akishima Station (South Exit), and then walk 20 min. (3)The JR Ome Line to Haijima Station, and then take a bus to Haijima Daishi-mae Bus Stop.

Takagari Jan. 2 to Jan. 3		Hoyojutsu Jitsuen (demonstration of Japanese traditional falconry) is held at Hamarikyu Garden, Minato-ku, from 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. on both days. Access: Walk 15 min. from Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line, or walk 7 min. from Shiodome Station on the Toei Oedo Subway Line.

Hatsu Ennichi Jan. 4		Togenuki-jizoson Hatsu Ennichi, the first fair of the year at Togenuki Jizo at Koganji Temple, Toshima-ku, is held from 6 a.m. to around 9 p.m. The fair is also scheduled on the 4th, 14th & 24th of every month. Access: The JR Yamanote Line or the Toei Mita Subway Line to Sugamo Station, and then walk 5 min.

Hashigo-nori Jan. 5		Hashigo-nori (acrobatic stunts on the top of tall ladders) are performed by firemen in traditional attire at the following venues in Katsushika-ku: (1) at Horikiri Benten Shrine from about 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., (2) in front of Katsushika Ward Office from around 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.; and (3) in the compound of Shibamata Taishakuten Temple and its vicinity from around 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Event will be cancelled in case of bad weather. Access: (1) The Keisei Line to Horikiri Shobu-en Station, and then walk 2 min. to Horikiri Tenjin. (2)The Keisei Oshiage Line to Keisei Tateishi Station, and then walk 7 min. to Katsushika Ward Office. (3)The Keisei Kanamachi Line to Shibamata Station, and then walk 5 min. to Taishakuten Temple.

Hatsu Suitengu Jan. 5		Hatsu Suitengu (the first fair of the year) at Suitengu Shrine, Chuo-ku, is held from around 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Access: (1) The Hanzomon Subway Line to Suitengu-mae Station, and then walk 1 min. (2)The Hibiya or Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Ningyocho Station, and then walk 5 min.

Dezome-shiki Jan. 6		Dezome-shiki, a New Year's event presented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Brigade in a parking lot in front of Tokyo Big Sight, Koto-ku. Event includes a massive display of the high-tech fire-fighting equipment and thrilling acrobatics performed by hikeshi, fire fighters of Edo Firemanship Preservation Association Incorporation, from 9:45 a.m. to around 11:50 a.m. Access: (1) The Yurikamome Line originating at Shimbashi Station to Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon Station (2)The Tokyo Rinkai Kosoku Railway Rinkai Line originating at Shin-Kiba Station to Kokusai-Tenjijo Station

Dezuiri Jan. 6		Yokozuna Dezuiri, ring-entering ritual of sumo, is performed by two yokozuna in front of the main hall of Meiji Shrine, Shibuya-ku, from around 3 p.m. Access: (1) The JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station (2)The Chiyoda Subway Line to Meiji-Jingumae Station

Kagura-hajime Jan. 8		Kagura-hajime at the main hall of Kanda Myojin Shrine, Chiyoda-ku. Dai-dai Kagura, Shinto dance and music of drums, flutes and other musical instruments is performed from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Access: The JR Chuo, Sobu Line or the Marunouchi Subway Line to Ochanomizu Station, and then walk 5 min.

Tondo-yaki Jan. 8		Tondo-yaki (ritual bonfire of New Year's decorations) at Torigoe Shrine, Taito-ku, starts from 1 p.m. and lasts for about one or two hours. Access: (1) The Toei Asakusa Subway Line or Oedo Line to Kuramae Station, and then walk 5 min. (2)The JR Sobu Line or the Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Asakusabashi Station, and then walk 7 min.

Daikoku Matsuri Jan. 9 to Jan. 11		Daikoku Matsuri at Kanda Myojin Shrine, Chiyoda-ku. Purification ceremony, in which people coming of age pour icy water out of wooden buckets over themselves, takes place from 10 a.m. on the 9th. On the 10th, Hocho-shiki ritual is conducted by Shijo-ryu school of Japanese culinary arts to demonstrate Japanese knife techniques from 12 noon to around 1 p.m. The head master of the Shijo-ryu school, dressed in traditional attire, will skillfully slice a large carp on the chopping board, by only using a knife and chopsticks. Masakado-daiko, a demonstration of traditional drumming, is held several times in the daytime on the 10th. Kanda-bayashi, festival music, is played at Kaguraden continually in the daytime during the festival period. Access: The JR Chuo Line, Sobu Line or the Marunouchi Subway Line to Ochanomizu Station, and then walk 5 min.

Kagami-biraki Jan. 10		Kodokan Kagami-biraki-shiki (New Year's ceremony of cutting special rice cakes) at Kodokan, Bunkyo-ku. Judo demonstrations from 10 a.m., followed by shiruko (sweet red-bean soup) is served to visitors from around 11:30 a.m. to around 12 noon. Access: (1) The Toei Mita or Oedo Subway Line to Kasuga Station, and then walk 2 min. (2)The Marunouchi or Namboku Subway Line to Korakuen Station, and then walk 5 min.

Kanchu Suiyoku Jan. 10		Kanchu suiyoku (midwinter bathing), a purification ceremony at Teppozu Inari Shrine, Chuo-ku. Men wearing only loincloths pour water over themselves from around 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Access: (1) The Hibiya Subway Line or the JR Keiyo Line to Hatchobori Station, and then walk 7 min. (2)The Yurakucho Subway Line to Shintomicho Station

The first Grand Sumo Tournament Jan. 10 to Jan. 24		O-Zumo Hatsu Basho, the first Grand Sumo Tournament of the year, at Ryogoku Kokugikan Hall, Sumida-ku. Dohyo-iri, the ring-entering ceremony, takes place around 4 p.m. daily except for the tournament's final day, on which dohyo-iri starts around 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. Main bouts by the upper-rank or makuuchi sumo wrestlers start after that. Advanced tickets might be sold out before the tournament starts, but tickets for unreserved seats are sold daily on a first-come, first-served basis at Kokugikan Hall during the tournament. The number of unreserved seat tickets is limited to about 400 daily. Access: The JR Sobu Line or the Toei Oedo Subway Line to Ryogoku Station

Hatsu Konpira Jan. 10		Hatsu Konpira (the year's first fair) at Kotohiragu Shrine, Minato-ku. The open-air stalls are set up in the precincts from the morning to around 6 p.m. Access: The Subway Ginza Line to Toranomon Station

Kori Chokoku-ten Jan. 10		Zenkoku Kori Chokoku-ten, an exhibition of ice sculptures, is held along the approach to Meiji Shrine, Shibuya-ku, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. About 50 ice sculptures are created by the members of the All Japan Ice Sculpture Association. Access: (1) The JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station (2)The Chiyoda Subway Line to Meiji-Jingumae Station

Momote-shiki Jan. 11		Momote-shiki (archery ritual) to commemorate Seijin-no-hi (Coming of Age Day) in the precincts of Meiji Shrine, Shibuya-ku. The ceremony is held in front of Homotudenn (treasure house) from around 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Access: (1) The JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station (2)The Chiyoda Subway Line to Meiji-Jingumae Station

Kagami-biraki Jan. 11		Kagami-biraki, cutting of New Year's rice cakes at Nippon Budokan Hall, Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda-ku, takes place from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Various martial arts are demonstrated from 1 p.m. to around 2:30 p.m. Shiruko (sweet red-bean soup) is served to 2,000 visitors from 3 p.m. Access: The Tozai, Hanzomon or Toei Shinjuku Subway Line to Kudanshita Station

daruma Ichi Jan. 12		Ome Daruma Ichi, the fair of Dharma dolls along Ome-Kaido Avenue, Ome, on the outskirts of Tokyo, is held from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Hundreds of open-air stalls selling daruma (Dharma dolls), foods, potted plants and the like are set up along the streets. Access: The JR Ome Line to Ome Station

Manaita-biraki Jan. 12		Manaita-biraki ritual at Hoonji Temple, Taito-ku. The headmaster of Shijo-ryu school of Japanese culinary arts, dressed in traditional attire, demonstrates the art of skillfully slicing a large carp on a chopping board, using only a knife and chopsticks from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Access: Ginza Subway Line to Inaricho Station, and then walk 5 min.

Onza Hiho Daranie rite Jan. 12 to Jan. 18		Onza Hiho Daranie, Buddhist rite, or Moja Okuri, at Sensoji Temple, Taito-ku. On the 18th, two devils with burning torches who symbolize pestilence and evil spirits emerge from the darkness at around 5 p.m. and run around in the temple compound for about 15 minutes, and then disappear into the darkness. It is believed that those who are showered by the sparks of the burning torches are assured of good health throughout the year. Access: The Ginza or Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Asakusa Station

Obisha-sai Jan. 13		Obisha-sai (archery rite) at Kuzukaya Goryo Shrine, Shinjuku-ku, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Access: The Seibu Shinjuku Line to Arai Yakushi-mae Station (North Exit), and then walk 10 min.

Boro Ichi Jan. 15 to Jan. 16		Setagaya Boro Ichi (rag fair) on Boro Ichi-dori Street, Setagaya-ku, features many open-air stalls selling food, clothes, potted plants and antiques from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Access: (1) Take a bus for Kamimachi or Seijo-Gakuen from Shibuya Station (South Exit), and then get off at Kamimachi Bus Stop. (2)The Tokyu Setagaya Line to Setagaya Station or Kamimachi Station

Mochitsuki-kai Jan. 17		Mochitsuki-kai, rice cake pounding, in the precincts of Daita Hachiman Shrine, Setagaya-ku, is demonstrated from around 1 p.m. to around 4 p.m. Access: The Odakyu Line to Setagaya-Daita Station, and then walk 5-6 min.

Hatsu Daishi Jan. 21		Hatsu Daishi (the first fair of the year) at Nishi-Arai Daishi Temple, Adachi-ku. About 300 open-air stalls sell daruma dolls, sweets, clothes and the like in the precincts of the temple and its vicinities from around 9 a.m. to around 6 p.m. Access: The Tobu Isezaki Line to Nishi-Arai Station, and then take the Tobu Daishi Line to Daishi-mae Station

Hatsu Daishi Jan. 21 to Jan. 23		Hatsu Daishi (the first fair of the year) at Tamagawa Daishi Temple, Setagaya-ku, is held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Access: The Tokyu Den'en Toshi Line or the Tokyu Oimachi Line to Futako-Tamagawa Station, and then walk 10 min.

Grand Festival of Togenuki Jizo Temple Jan. 24		Grand Festival of Togenuki Jizo (Koganji Temple), Toshima-ku. About 200 street stalls selling sweets, clothes and the like are set up in the compound of the temple and its vicinities from around 8 a.m. to sunset. Access: The JR Yamanote Line or the Toei Mita Subway Line to Sugamo Station, and then walk 5 min.

Usokae Festival Jan. 24 to Jan. 25		Usokae (bullfinch exchange) Festival of Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Koto-ku, is held from 8:30 a.m. on both days. People exchange old carved wooden bullfinches for new ones. Bullfinches, which are called uso in Japanese, are regarded as symbols of good luck. On the 25th, Hatsu Tenjin (the first fair of the year) is scheduled, and Okagura (Shinto music and dance) is performed from 9 a.m. in the precincts of the Shrine. Access: The JR Sobu Line to Kameido Station, and then walk 15 min.

daruma Ichi Jan. 28		Daruma Ichi (fair of Dharma dolls) at Takahata Fudoson Temple, Hino, on the outskirts of Tokyo. From around 7 a.m. to sunset, hundreds of stalls sell daruma dolls to people seeking good luck in the coming year. Chigo-Gyoretsu, a parade of children in fancy attire, is scheduled in the precincts from around 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Access: The Keio Line to Takahata Fudo Station

Tsubaki Matsuri Jan. 30 to March 28		Tsubaki Matsuri (Camellia Festival) on Oshima Island. Various species of camellia are usually in full bloom during the festival. Main events are scheduled as follows: (1) Jan. 31: opening ceremony starts at 9 a.m., and a parade of Edo-Mikoshi (portable shrines) goes around the town hall from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (2) Feb. 11: a beauty contest for Miss Camellia starts from 10 a.m. (3) Feb. 21: Camellia marathon, races of 5 km and 10 km, begin at town hall, from 9:30 a.m. Everybody is welcome to join the race. (Please call the town hall, 04992-2-1446, by Jan. 22, for applications). Access: (1) 8 hrs. by Tokai Kisen ferryboat or 1 hr. 45 min. by hydrofoil boat from Takeshiba Pier to Oshima Island. (Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi Station to Takeshiba Station, and then walk 1 min. to the pier, or JR Yamanote Line to Hamamatsucho Station, and then walk 7 min. to the pier.) (2) 30 min. by air from Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Oshima Island.

Tengu Matsuri Jan. 30 to Jan. 31		Shimokita Tengu Matsuri (Long Red-nosed Goblins Festival) is held at Shinryuji Temple, and on and around the shopping streets of Shimokitazawa, Setagaya-ku. On the 30th, Chibikko-Mamemaki (bean-throwing ceremonies) is held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. with about 200 children participating. Wadaiko, Japanese traditional drumming demonstration is scheduled 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. near North Exit of Shimokitazawa Station A parade of tengu of 100 men with long red-nosed masks, starts from Shinryuji Temple at 2 p.m., goes through the shopping streets throwing beans and comes back at 4 p.m. to the temple, where mamemaki is held in the compound. Access: The Odakyu Line or the Keio Inokashira Line to Shimokitazawa Station

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

Hatsu Daishi or daruma Ichi (Dharma doll fair) Jan. 3		Hatsu Daishi, the first fair of the year, or Daruma Ichi (Dharma dolls fair) at Kawagoe Daishi Temple, Kawagoe, Saitama Pref. Many open-air stalls selling daruma dolls are set up in and around the temple until dark. Access: (1) The Seibu Shinjuku Line to Hon-Kawagoe Station, and then walk 15 min. (2)The Tobu Tojo Line to Kawagoeshi Station, and then walk 20 min. (3)The JR Saikyo Line to Kawagoe Station, and then walk 25 min.

Joma-Shinji Jan. 5		Joma-Shinji (archery rites) at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref. The ceremony is conducted from around 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. by the traditionally attired members of Ogasawara-ryu school of Japanese archery who shoot arrows at a target of 156 cm in diameter. Access: The JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station, and then walk 10 min.

daruma Ichi Jan. 6 to Jan. 7		Shorinzan Daruma Ichi, the first fair of Dharma dolls at Shorinzan Temple, Takasaki, Gunma Pref., is held from around 12 noon on the 6th, throughout the night and until around 2 p.m. on the 7th. This fair is one of the biggest of its kind in Tokyo and its vicinities. Access: The JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line to Takasaki Station(West Exit). From there, 20 min. by Gururin Bus for Shorinzan, and then get off at Shorinzan-iriguchi Bus Stop.

Maebashi Hatsu-ichi Jan. 9		Maebashi Hatsu-ichi, the first fair of Dharma dolls, along Honmachi-dori Street in Maebashi, Gunma Pref., 2 hrs. by train from Ueno Station, is held from around 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. A parade of Ichigami-sama in mikoshi, portable shrines, followed by people dressed as shishi lions and tengu goblins, starts from Hachimangu Shrine at 11 a.m., heading for Karimiya, resting place, to arrive there around 12 noon. Access: The JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki Station From there, take the JR Ryomo Line to Maebashi Station (North Exit), and then walk 20 min.

Mochitsuki Odori Jan. 10		Mochitsuki Odori, a demonstration of dance depicting the pounding of rice cakes, which has a history of over 200 years, at Saifukuji Temple, Kawagoe, Saitama Pref., is held from around 12:30 p.m. to around 2:30 p.m. in the temple compound. Access: The Seibu Shinjuku Line to Minami-Otsuka Station, and then walk 7-8 min.

Tori-oi Matsuri Festival Jan. 14		Tori-oi Matsuri Festival at Nakanojo-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Pref. In this festival, which has a 400-year history, people beat drums to drive away harmful birds for a good harvest of the new year. Ten floats are paraded through the town from around 10 a.m. to 8:20 p.m., accompanied by young people dressed in festival attire beating drums on the floats. Access: 54 min. by the JR Agatsuma Line from Takasaki Station to Nakanojo Station

Chakkirako local dance performance Jan. 15		Chakkirako or Kyakkirako, local dance at Kainan Shrine, Misaki, Kanagawa Pref. Chakkirako is designated as one of National Important Intangible Cultural Properties. It is performed in the precincts of the Shrine from around 10 a.m. to around 11:30 a.m. by girls dressed in traditional costumes with fans in their hands, and on the main streets in the city from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Access: The Keihin Kyuko Line to Misaki-guchi Station From there, 20 min. by bus for Misaki-ko, and then get off at Misaki-ko Bus Stop (terminal).

Otariya-sai Festival Jan. 15		Otariya-sai Festival of Futaarayama Shrine, Utsunomiya, Tochigi Pref., features a performance of dengaku-mai (sacred dance with music) from around 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the shrine precincts. Mikoshi (a portable shrine) goes through the city from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Access: (1) JR Utsunomiya Station, and then walk 15 min. (2) 5 min. by bus from JR Utsunomiya Station to Futaarayama Jinja-mae Bus Stop.

Yukake Matsuri Jan. 20		Yukake Matsuri Festival at Kawarayu Onsen, Naganohara-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma Pref. Young men and children splash one another with hot spring water from 5 a.m. Access: The JR Agatsuma Line to Kawarayu Onsen Station, and then walk 15 min.

Hatsu Daishi Jan. 21		Hatsu Daishi (the first fair of the year) at Kawasaki Daishi Temple, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Pref. Open-air stalls selling daruma dolls (Dharma dolls) for good luck are set up from 10 a.m. to around 6 p.m. Access: The Keihin Kyuko Line to Keikyu Kawasaki Station From there, the Keihin Kyuko Daishi Line to Kawasaki Daishi Station

The following museums, gardens and a.m.usement parks are closed for the New Year's holidays: Tourist Information Center, Japan National Tourism Organization Festivals around Tokyo

Museums		Tokyo National Museum (Closed : 12/28-1/1) National Museum of Modern Art , Tokyo (Closed : 12/28-1/1) & Craft Gallery (Closed : 12/28-1/1) Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Closed : 12/23-1/3) National Museum of Western Art (Closed : 12/27-1/1, 1/4-8) Edo-Tokyo Museum (Closed : 12/28-1/1) Idemitsu Museum of Art (Closed : 12/21-1/8) Yamatane Museum of Art (Closed : 12/28-1/4) Suntory Museum of Art (Closed : 1/1) Okura Shukokan Museum (Closed : 12/14-1/1) Goto Art Museum (Closed : 12/24-1/5) Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Closed : 12/21-1/5) Paper Museum (Closed : 12/28-1/4) Japanese Sword Museum (Closed : 12/21-1/4) Bridgestone Museum of Art (Closed : 12/28-1/1) National Science Museum (Closed : 12/28-1/1) Museum of Maritime Science (Closed : 12/28-1/1) Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (Closed : 12/28-1/3) National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Closed : 12/28-1/1)

Gardens and a.m.usement parks		Higashi Gyoen (Imperial Palace East Garden) (Closed : 12/28-1/4) Koishikawa Korakuen Garden (Closed : 12/29-1/1) Kiyosumi Teien Garden (Closed : 12/29-1/1) Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Closed : 12/29-1/4) Rikugien Garden (Closed : 12/29-1/1) Hamarikyu Onshi Teien (Hama Detached Palace Garden) (Closed : 12/29-1/1) Ueno Zoo (Closed : 12/28-1/1) Tama Zoo (Closed : 12/29-1/1)

New Year's Day (national holiday) Tourist Information Center, Japan National Tourism Organization Festivals around Tokyo

New Year's Day (national holiday) Jan. 1		New Year's Day (national holiday), the "festival of festivals" in Japan, is celebrated with solemnity and yet in a joyous mood. The streets are adorned with New Year's decorations of pine and plum branches, bamboo stalks and ropes with paper festoons. People pray at shrines and temples, and visit friends and relatives to exchange greetings. -----