Look what's Happening
in Tokyo
Issue: JUNE 2004
Public Holidays in June
There are no public holidays in June
Mid- June brings forth the 4 week long rainy season. The Japanese
call it baiu or Plum Rain because the rain starts around the same
time as the plums ripen. You might see a Teruteru Bozu hanging
from windows. This lucky charm made from white cloth is supposed
to bring good weather. June is also a busy month for the farmers
as rice shoots must be planted. In a lot of the small villages
various rituals are carried out by the local priest in the hope
of a good harvest.
Antique Markets, Dressed-up Cars, 4-Ton
Weights and Festivals Galore!
The Yokohama Port Opening Festival 1st and
2nd June
The port of Yokohama was officially opened to trade in 1859. A
lot has changed in the area since then, the celebrations are now
held on reclaimed land called Minato Mirai and Rinko Park. Celebrations
include boat races, processions, music and dancing.
The Torigoe Shrine Grand Festival 5th and
6th June
This yearly festival is extremely popular bringing in an average
million visitors over the 2 day period. The highlight of the festival
is the when the Sengan-mikoshi is carried boisterously through
the winding streets. This portable shrine is the heaviest in Tokyo
and takes 100 people to carry it. The name Sengan comes from an
old unit weight used in Japan many years ago. It meant 4-tons.
On the 5th the shrine is carried around the streets from 6:50am
for about 12 hours. The climax of this parade is its return to
the shrine at night time when the Sengan-mikoshi is lit up.
Tsukiji-jishi Festival 10th - 13th June
A summer festival held at Namiyoke-inari Shrine. The main event
of this festival is the "Mejishi". This is a big imaginary
lion head weighing over 1 ton in weight is carried in turns by
over 3000 people on the afternoon of 13th, Sunday.
Sanno Matsuri at Hie Shrine 10th - 16th
June
The Sanno Festival is a week long festival, and is noted for the
elegant parade which takes place this year on the 11th from 8:00
through to 17:30. Over 500 people dressed in the costume of the
Imperial Court are featured in this procession that takes place
through the main streets around the Shrine. Various activities
are going on throughout the week, on Saturday there is a special
ceremony for children and it is a chance to see the children dressed
in traditional kimono. On Sunday from 16:00 - 17:00 there is a
special theatre held within the shrine grounds.
Tokyo Special Import Car Show 12th &
13th June
Miss your car and the open road then you should make your way
to the Tokyo Car Show. Advertised as "The only auto show
in Japan where tuning and dressing up imported cars plays a leading
role!" Held at the Tokyo Big Sight (West Hall) 10:00 - 18:00
Antique Festival at The Ryutsu Center 28th
- 30th June
The biggest antique market in Japan. Plenty of antique household
goods are sold at good prices. 10:00 - 18:00
Flowers in bloom this month
Iris - The best place to view these
beautiful flowers is the Meiji Shobuen and the Meiji Shrine where
over 100 varieties come into bloom at the end of May and beginning
of June. The park was designed by the Meiji Emperor for his wife.
Hydrangea - Better known as Ajisai
in Japanese, these flowers add a wonderful color to this time
of the year.
Just as the rainy season starts, the flower blooms adding its
beauty to an otherwise dreary wet day.
What's going on elsewhere in Japan
Shirone Giant Kite Fighting Festival in
Nigata Prefecture 3rd - 7th June
You don't have to be a kite fan to enjoy this spectacle. The world's
largest kite fight is held annually for 5 days. The 300 year old
festival brings the local people
by Sarah Yamada
