Look what's Happening in Tokyo
Issue: August 2004

Public Holidays in August
There are no holidays in Japan, but a lot of Japanese people take time off work to go back to their hometowns to participate in the Obon "All Souls'" Festival. It is believed that this is a time when the ancestors' spirits return to the home. Typically a family
will visit the family graves, water and sake will be poured over the grave and incense will lighted. Then they return home with the spirits. A special meal is laid out on the family altar and the spirits stay for 3 days. For most people the highlight of the festival is the Bon Odori a dance held in the local neighbourhood park or open space. The dance is not hard to learn, so feel free to join in.

Festivals, Fireworks, Japanese Traditional Dancing, Water Fights and the Samba
Togo Shrine Flea Market...... August 1st and August 29th.
This regular, friendly and popular open market sells antiques and used-goods. Remember to bargain.
To get there: Harajuku St on the JR line or Meiji Jingumae St C03 on the Chiyoda line

Hashi Kanshasai ~ Memorial Mass for Old Chopsticks at the Hie Shrine... Aug 4th
A festival in which many regular used chopsticks and a giant pair of chopsticks are burned before the altar in thanks for their service and for the food eaten from them. Starts at 11:00am
To get there: Akasaka-Mitsuke st. G05 Ginza line or M13 Marunouchi line Or Nagatacho st. N07 Namboku line, Z04 Hanzomon line

Ningyocho Seto-Mono Ichi ~ China Ware Market (Open 9:00 ~ 21:00) ........August 4th ~6th
Famous for it's chinaware wholesalers, Ningyocho holds an annual clearance sale that attracts many locals and tourists alike.
To get there: Ningyocho station H13 on the Hibiya line or A14 on the Asakusa line.

Hachioiji Matsuri...... August 6th ~ 8th
Hachioji, is a small town but entertains us annually with this large festival. Highlights include ice carving exhibitions, crossing fire ritual by mountain priests (and you if you choose to have a go!), fireworks and parades of brass bands and warriors' procession.
To get there: Take the Keio or JR Chuo lines to Hachioiji Station.

The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Koto Ward ..........August 13th ~15th
Once every 3 years this Shrine takes place in one of the so called Big Three festivals. Unfortunately this is not that year, but there is still plenty to enjoy. The festival includes a parade of portable shrines called mikoshi. To get there: Monzen-Nakacho Station T12 on the Tozai line or E15 on the Oedo line

Koenji no Awaodori From 18:00 onwards...... August 27th ~ 28th
This popular Tokyo street festival is only just over 40 years old. Organized by the local shop owners and local community leaders in an effort to bring the community together. They have succeeded in bringing not just the local community together but bringing people from all over Tokyo together to enjoy this evening event. The traditional dance has its origins in the Tokushima folk dance. It is also known as the "Fool's Dance". And comes from the words of the song which are: “You're a fool whether you dance or not, so you may as well dance."
To get there: Take the JR Chuo line to Koenji station.

Samba Carnival Parade 14:00 ~ 18:00............ August 30th
Found it hard to get to Rio this year? Don't worry Tokyo brings the carnival to you. Join in all the fun of the Samba festival.
To get there: Asakusa station A18 on the Asakusa line or G19 on the Ginza line

What's going on elsewhere in Japan
There are many festivals going on in the Hakone area during the month of August. The two famous ones involve fires.

Tori-Yaki Festival August 5th and Daimonjiyaki Festival......August 16th
In the first 2 torii gates are erected on the lake and ceremonially burned. Thousands of lanterns are also set adrift on the water creating an enchanting scene. In the 2nd festival torches shaped in the Chinese letter are burnt on the mountain dedicated to the spirits.
To get there: Shinkansen or Tokaido line to Odawara. Change to Tozan line to Hakone. From Hakone take a local train to Gora.

Nebuta Festival August 2nd ~ 7th
It is hard to describe the wonder of the Nebuta festival. You just have to see it to believe it. Huge floats with wooden bases covered with Japanese paper and and lit up with lights parade the streets, accompanied by dancing people in traditional dress.
To get there: Either Shinkansen to Aomori station via Morioka or plane to Aomori Airport and then take the local bus.

*Japanese summers are fun, but can be spoilt if you get bitten by a mosquito If you plan on going outside to a wooded area then we recommend you spray yourself first with an anti-repellant first. The most popular being Skin Guard and Saratekuto.
If you are bitten already then you can reduce the itching by using an ammonia based ointment called Kinkan, it smells awful but will result in your bite being quickly forgotten. If you want something less smelly try Muhi S For children there are Anpanman (A Japanese children's cartoon character) sticky labels for quick comfort

by Sarah Yamada