Look what's Happening in Tokyo
Issue: October 2005

Public Holidays in October
10th October is Taiiku-no-hi or Physical Fitness day.
Created in commemoration of the opening day of the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964. From September through to October various sport activities are held by local schools and groups.

Festivals, Markets, Buckwheat Noodles and Pickled Radishes
Aki Matsuri ~ Autumn festival in Ueno Park Everyday in October
The autumn antique market is held daily in the Ueno Park by the Shinobazu Pond. Throughout October from 9:00 - until sunset.
To get there: Take JR or Ginza line to Keisei Ueno station.

AIG Japan Open Tennis Championship 2005 October 3rd ~ October 9th
The Japan Open Tennis Championships is an outdoor hard surface tournament played at the Ariake Colosseum. Matches begin from 10:00
To get there: 6 minutes walk from Kokusai Tenjijo station on the Rinkai line

Oeshiki (Nichiren Memorial Service) October 11th ~ 13th
Nichiren Shonin, founder of the Nichiren Sect of Buddhism, is honored in this requiem ceremony. Various activities are held throughout the day and nighttime processions with lanterns and huge paper decorations called Mando.
To get there: Take the Tokyu Ikegami line to Ikegami station

Kiba no Kakunori in Kiba Park October 16th
See a wonderful display of acrobatic stunts on floating timber at Kiba park. These traditional skills were used by the lumber workers who once rode loose logs, steering them down the river using a bamboo pole to steer them.
To get there: Tozai line to Kiba st (T13) (10 mins. walk) or O-Edo line to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station. (20 mins. walk from the st.)

Bettara Ichi (Radish Fair) at Takarada Ebisu Shrine October 19th ~20th
The annual festival dates back to sometime between the 1590s and 1610s. Locals sell this pickled rasdish around Takarada Ebisu Shrine from noon till 21:00
To get there: Hibiya line to Kodemmacho station (H14) or the Ginza line to Mitsukoshi Mae (G12)station.

Fujiko Hemming October 30th
This is a Charity Concert with guest, Mischa Maisky on Cello. At the Tokyo International Forum (Hall A)
Access: 1 minute walk from Yurakucho station on the JR Yamanote line. (Exit A4b)

Meiji Reitaisai at Meiji Shrine October 31st ~ November 3rd
Celebrations are held in memory of the Meiji emperor's birthday. Various events are held over the 4 day period including displays of horseback archery, classical music, dance and Noh
To get there: Take the Yamanote line to Harajuku st. or Chiyoda line to Meiji-jingu mae st. (C03)and head for the Meiji Shrine.

Flowers in bloom this month
Cosmos - a trip to Kurihama Hana-no-kuni is well worth a visit. A million cosmoses bloom on the gentle slopes from September through to October 14th. On the last day you can pluck the flowers quite freely until mid-afternoon. The middle of September to the beginning of October is the best time to visit. Within the park grounds there is also a Herb garden & Café.
To get there: Take the Keikyu line from Shinagawa station to Keikyu-Kurihama station. It is 15 minutes walk from the station.

by Sarah Yamada