Look what's Happening in Tokyo
Issue: October through to December 2006

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TOKYO THIS AUTUMN?

Public Holidays
October 9th Taiiku-no-hi (Physical Fitness Day)
November 3rd Bunka-no-Hi (Culture Day)
November 23rd Kinro Kansha no hi (Labour Thanksgiving Day)
December 23rd The Emperor's Birthday.

Japanese Traditional Festivals
Ikegami Honmonji "Oeshiki", October 11th - 13th
Memorial Service for Founder of Nichiren Sect. Various activities held including processions with large paper lanterns and decorations.
Access: 10-min walk from Ikegami station on Tokyu Ikegami line.

Kurofunebashi Park "Kiba no Kakunori", October 1st
See traditional display of acrobatic stunts on floating timber at Kurofunebashi Park.
Access: 10-min walk from Kiba station (T13) on Tozai line.

Meiji Jingu Shrine "Aki-no-Taisai", November 1st - 3rd
Celebrations and various events are held in memory of the Meiji emperor's birthday.
Access: A short walk from Harajuku Station on JR or Meiji-jingu-mae station (C03)on Chiyoda line

Juzaisan Chokoku-ji in Askakusa "Tori no Ichi" November 4th, 16th, 28th 0:00 -24:00
Buying a Kumade (rake) decorated with lucky charms on the Rooster Day in November is said to bring good fortune.
Access: 7-min. walk from Iriya station (H18) on Hibiya Line, or 15-min walk from Tawaramachi (T18) station on Ginza line.

Asakusa Sensoji "Hagoita Ichi", December 17th - 19th
Lavishly decorated battledores made using silk collage are sold at the Hagoita market.
Access: Short walk from Asakusa station on the Asakusa (A18) or Ginza line (G19).

Flowers in Bloom
October - Cosmos : "Kurihama Hana-no-kuni" (Yokosuka)
Take a trip to see a million cosmoses bloom on the gentle slopes. Best time: Mid-September to mid-October.
Access: 15-min. walk from Keikyu-Kurihama station on Keikyu line from Shinagawa station.

November - Chrysanthemums : "Meiji-jingu Kikka-ten" (Tokyo)
Since the 13th century it has been the official symbol and crest of Japan's Imperial family. Best time: Early November
Access: A short walk from Harajuku station on JR or Meiji-jingumae station (C03) on Chiyoda line.

December - Narcissuses: "Zuisenji temple" (Kamakura)
The temple is famous for its Zen gardens, offers a quiet rest from the busy new year rush.. Best time: mid-December through to January.
Access: 30-min walk or 10-min bus rides from Kamakura station on JR Yokosuka line.

Annual Events
"Shichi-go-san" November 1st-30th
Visit a shrine to see children who are 5 (boys) 3 or 7 (girls) dressed up in beautiful kimonos receiving Shrine blessings.

"Joya no Kane" December 31st
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.
Zojoji :A short walk from Hamamatsucho station on JR or Shibakoen station (IO5) on Mita line.
Shojuin : A short walk from Shinjuku-sanchome station on Marunouchi line.

Antique Festivals
Ueno "Aki Matsuri", October 1st -31st 9:00-18:00
The autumn antique market is held daily in the Ueno Park.
Access: A short walk from Ueno station (G16) on JR or Ginza line.

Setagaya Boro Ichi(Flea Market) December 15th - 16th
Large outdoor flea market with over 700 booths held annually in December.
Access: 3-min. walk from, Kamimachi or Setagaya Station on Tokyu Setagaya line.

Concerts and Exhibitions
Nanta October 13th at 19:00 & 14th at 15:00
A performance of rhythms that dramatize customary Korean percussion in a comedic show. Tickets: 5,000, 4,500, and 3,500JPY Katsushika Symphony Hills - Mozart Hall
Access: 5-min walk from Aota station on the Keisei line from Ueno station.

10th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR 2006 December 2nd 18:00 and 3rd 15:00
At the Tokyo International Forum Hall A, Featuring Taro Hakase. All tickets 6,500JPY
Access: 1-min walk from Yurakucho station on the JR and Yurakucho (18) Subway line. (connected by B1 concourse with Keiyo Line at Tokyo Station)

Art Deco Jewellery Exhibition October 14th January 14th
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum Chales Jacqueau, Designer of the Cartier and the Brillian Age of Boucheron, lalique etc.
Access: 7-min walk from Meguro station (East exit) on the Yamanote lineor 6-min walk from Shirokandai station (Exit #1)(N2)on the Namboku line

What's going on elsewhere in Japan
Hakone "The Federal Lord's Parade" November 3rd 10:00~
The Federal Lord's Parade is a recreation of the crossings of the Daimyo. Around 250 people wearing clothes of the period proceed up the original stone path.
Access: Shinkansen or Tokaido line to Odawara. Change to Tozan line to Hakone. From Hakone take a local train to Gora.

by Sarah Yamada