Look what's Happening
in Tokyo
Issue: July 2005
Public Holidays in July
Marine Day - Umi no Hi 20th July
A fairly new public holiday to celebrate the bounty of the sea.
Flower Festivals, Bamboo Tree Wishes and
a Climbing Challenge!
Asagao Ichi and Hoozuki-Ichi Flower Festivals
During the month of July there are two flower festivals that are
held in Tokyo. The Asago Ichi (Morning Glory) festival dates back
to the Meiji period (1868-1912) and by the 1890's had become a
major summer event for Tokyoites. In the 1950's it was revived
by the local merchants in its present form. The stalls within
the temple grounds are open from 9:00 - 21:00 but most people
go early to buy their flowers while they are open.
The Second festival is called Hoozuki-Ichi which is also known
as the Chinese Lantern Plant Market. The festival is on for 2
days but most people visit on the 10th as it is said that a visit
and a prayer on this day are worth 46,000 ordinary visits. Over
100,000 pots of ground cherries are sold each year at the market.
Asagao Ichi (Morning Glory Fair) July 6th
- 8th
To get there: Take the JR Yamanote line to Uguisudani station
Hoozuki-Ichi (Chinese Lantern Plant Market) July 9th-10th To get
there: Take the Asakusa line or Ginza line to Asakusa station
Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival - The
Star Festival July 6th ~ 10th
The Tanabata festival originates from a Chinese story about the
Weaver princess and her lover the Cowherd. It is believed that
after they were banished to the Milky Way they were only able
to meet up once a year. Children will write their wishes on colorful
papers and tie them to bamboo trees. There are also numerous Tanabata
festivals going on and one of the largest festivals is held in
Hiratsuka. The colorful decorations and illuminations brighten
up the entire downtown area and it is well worth a visit. To get
there: Take the Tokaido line to Hiratsuka station.
Oedo Antique Fair at Tokyo International
Forum (*Admission free 8:00 ~ 17:00 ) July 17th
A popular event for just about everybody. Various items are sold
and you can easily pick up some nice Japanese artifacts or souvenirs
for your next trip home. To get there: 1-min. walk from Yurakucho
Station or 5-min. walk from Tokyo Station (Connected by B1 concourse)
Mount Fuji Climbing Season Opens July 1st
~ August 27th The saying goes "One who never climbs Mount
Fuji is a fool, and one who climbs twice is twice the fool." What
are you? The serious fans will suggest you set off in the middle
of the night so that you will arrive at the summit to see the
sunrise. I had a friend who climbed last year and she said that
it doesn't matter when you go the views are great. But she did
add it was a lot more tiring than she had expected! To get there:
Buses go directly from Shinjuku station up to the 5th station.
From there to the summit it will take about 6-7 hours.
July and August are Firework months.
Throughout the summer season there are firework displays everywhere
but the most famous of all is the Sumida Fireworks. It is the
biggest display in Tokyo and the oldest, dating back to 1733.
July 30th from 7:00 at the Sumida River
by Sarah Yamada
