Look what's Happening
in Tokyo
Issue: August 2006
Public Holidays in August
Sadly there are no public holidays in August.
Antique Fair and Jamboree, Memorial Mass, Obon
Festivals, Concerts and Carnivals
Oedo Antique Fair at Tokyo
International Forum
1st & 3rd Sunday in the month
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. Free admission free 8:00 ~ 17:00
Access: 1-min walk from Yurakucho Station (Y18) on the Yurakucho
line or 5-min walk from Tokyo Station (M17) on the Marunouchi
line (Connected by B1 concourse).
Hashi Kanshasai - 4th
August
A memorial mass for old chopsticks at the Hie Shrine in which
many regular used chopsticks and a giant pair of chopsticks are
burned before the altar in thanks for their service and for the
food eaten from them. Starts at 11:00am
Access: 5-min walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke station (G05) on the Ginza
line or (M13) on the Marunouchi line Or Nagatacho station (N07)
on the Namboku line or (Z04) on the Hanzomon line.
Obon - 12th - 16th August
"All Souls'" festival is a 3-day period when it is believed
that the ancestors' spirits return to the home. Typically a family
will visit the family graves, water and sake will be poured over
the grave and incense will be lit. Then the family will return
home with the spirits. A special meal is laid out on the family
altar and the spirits stay for 3 days. For most people the highlight
of the festival is the Bon Odori a dance held in the local neighborhood
park or open space. The dance is not hard to learn and everyone
is welcome to join in.
Ningyocho Seto-Mono Ichi ~China Ware Market
4th -6th August
This area of Tokyo is famous for the chinaware wholesalers. This
annual clearance sale attracts many locals and tourists alike.
Open 9:00 - 21:00
Access: Ningyocho station (H13) on the Hibiya line or (A14) on
the Toei Asakusa line.
Antique Jamboree - Summer 4th - 6th August
At the TOKYO BIG SIGHT exhibition hall 1E 10:00-18:00
*4th Early Buyer Day (Early buyer ticket required) 14:00-18:00
Admission 1,000 day ticket 800 advance ticket
Access: 7-min walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo station on the Rinkai
line or 3-min walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon station on the
Yurikomome line.
SUMMER SONIC 2006 12th
~ 13th August
A two day concert held simultaneously in Tokyo (Chiba Marine Stadium
and Makuhari Messe) and Osaka. Main attractions are: Linkim Park,
Deftones, Muse, Massive Attack, Daft Punk.
Performance days for Artists and/or stages are subject to change.
Please access the website for further information. http://www.summersonic.com/index.html
Ticket: 1-day ticket: 13,500 JPY 2-day ticket: 24,500 JPY
Access: 7-min walk to Stadium and 15-min to Messe from Kaihin
Makuhari station on the JR line.
Samba Carnival 26th August
If you didn't make it to Rio for this year's carnival, don't worry!
Tokyo brings the carnival to you. Join in all the fun of the Samba
festival. Parade from 13:15 ~ 18:00
Access: Asakusa station (A18) on the Asakusa line or (G19) on
the Ginza line.
by Sarah Yamada
