Look what's Happening in Tokyo
Issue: December 2005

Public Holidays in December
23rd December is the Emperor's Birthday.
Since 1990, when the present Emperor took over the role of his father who had passed away in 1989 this day has been a national holiday. On this day the Emperor will receive congratulatory birthday wishes from his family, the Prime Minister and speakers of the Houses of Representatives in a ceremony known as Shukuga no Gi and the public allowed into the grounds of the palace.

Master less Samurai, Flea Markets, Battledores and New Year trips to the Shrine.

Disneyland Christmas Fantasy and Disney Sea Harborside Christmas Till 25th December
Being away from home can be the hardest at this time of the year. But a visit to Disneyland or Disney Sea will help to add some Christmas cheer. Classic Christmas songs fill the parks, lovely decorations adorn the different park areas. Disney characters wander the park in their Christmas outfits and special Christmas menus are put on in the restaurants. To get there: Maihama station (South exit) on the JR Keiyo Line or JR Musashino Line.

Sengakuji Temple in Minato-ku 12th - 14th December
This small temple holds an annual memorial service for the famous 47 samurai who committed ritual suicide in 1702 and are laid here to rest. Various activities are held during the three day period, with the memorial service held on the morning of the 14th. To get there: Sengakuji Station (A07) on Mita Subway Line

Setagaya Boro Ichi ~ Setagaya Flea Market 15th & 16th December
The Boroichi "rag fair" is a winter feature in Setagaya. This outdoor flea market was first held in the 1570's. Every year on both 15th and 16th of December and January, the grand Boroichi Fair is held along the well-known Boroichi-dori street converging around Setagaya Daikan Yashiki. Many people show up to visit the more than 700 booths set up along the 1-km route. To get there: Take the Setagaya line to Kamimachi or Setagaya Station. (3 mins. Walk from the station.)

Hagoita Ichi ~ Battledore Fair at Sensoji Temple 17th ~ 19th December
A traditional game played by girls over the new year period is Hanetsuki. This is similar to badminton and uses a paddle shaped bat to hit the shuttlecock. In December people gather at the Hagoita market at Sensoji Temple to buy their ornamental versions. These lavishly decorated Battledores are made using silk collage and range in size and price. You can choose from the traditional kabuki decorations to the modern day style with sports stars, pop stars and television stars. To get there: Take the Asakusa or Ginza line to Asakusa Station (A18 G19).

KODO 20th - 22nd December
Japanese drums performance by the popular company based on Sado Island and has already performed in 42 countries. Performances Times: 20st - 22nd at 19:00 and 23rd at 15:00 Tickets for 6000 and 4,500 yen. At Bunkyo Civic Hall How to get there: Take the Marunouchi line to Korakuen Station

Meissen Porcelain Running till 22nd January
Teien Art Museum. The museum is open from 10:00 - 18:00 Ticket 1,000 yen This show features 198 pieces of exquisite Meissen porcelain, from dinner sets to furniture, in styles ranging from rococo to art nouveau. To get there: 7minutes walk from Megro Station, or 6 minutes walk from Shirokanedai station.

Ameyayokocho Anytime in December
December This place was famous for its black market activities during WWII. Nowadays it carries various imported goods, industrial products and even dried fish. It is always crowded with people, but you must see it just before the New Year if you don't mind crowds. To get there: Take the JR, Ginza or Hibiya Line to Ueno Station (G16 H17).

Joya no Kane 31st December
Join the crowds at Meiji Shrine at midnight to wish in the the new year or visit a temple to hear the temple bells that are struck 108 times to dispel the 108 earthly desires that, according to Buddhist doctrine, plague us all. You can also join the locals ringing the temple bells at Zojoji Temple and Shojuin Temple, To get there: Meiji Shrine: Take the Yamanote line to Harajuku station or the Chiyoda line to Meiji-jingu mae station (C03). Zojoji Temple: JR line to Hamamatsucho station. Shojuin Temple: Take the Marunouchi line to Shinjuku-sanchome (S02 M09)

Flowers in Bloom This Month

Suisen - Narcissuses - can be viewed from the end of December through to January. Zuisenji- Temple in Kamakura offers the visitor a quiet rest from the busy new year rush. The Temple is famous for its Zen gardens. To get there: Take the Yokusuka line to Kamakura from Shinagawa station.

New Year In Japan

If you were to enter into a Japanese house in the few days leading up to New Year, you would most likely be handed a cloth, soap and some polish and be asked to join in the cleaning. Oosoji, or Big Clean,is an important part of the New Year festivities. A freshly cleaned house indicates a house clean of all the physical and spiritual stains of the past year. You will probably find some kind of cleaning taking place in your work place too. Once the cleaning is finished the next job is to make the Osechi Ryori,New Year's food. The food once made is presented in a special box called Jubako, which can consist of 2 to 5 layers stacked on top of each other. Outside the newly cleaned house or an office a Kadomatsu made of pine branches (for long life), straw and bamboo (for strength) will be placed. These decorations act as a guide the god of the New Year. You might also notice a smaller decoration on the front doors or in the entrances, this is a sacred rope made of straw on which zig-zag strips of paper have been hung. This is placed in the front entrance to prevent evil spirits from entering the house. On New Year's Eve everyone eats Toshikoshi Soba - buckwheat noodles in broth, this custom dates back to the Edop period. The noodles are long and this has led to the belief that if one eats these noodles at New Year you will be guaranteed of having a long and prosperous life.On Ganjitsu, or New Year's Day you will be met with the greetings "Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu" which means literally "New Year Congratulations". Families gather together to toast in the New Year with Toso, a spiced rice wine. Then they will sit down to eat. After eating it is time for Hatsumoude which refers to the first visit to a shrine or temple in the New Year. It is a time to throw a coin in the collection box, clap your hands twice, bow and make a wish and pray for health and happiness in the New Year. Before leaving a bow, Hamaya will be purchased to spear all the evil for the New Year. Returning home from the Shrine it is time for the children to receive Otoshidama, gifts of money from parents, grandparents, and relatives. The money is usually given in little decorative envelopes. For the adults of the house it is a time to check the post box for the New Year postcards, Nengayou.

A Happy New Year To You

by Sarah Yamada