Look what's Happening in Tokyo
Issue: July 2006

Public Holidays in July

17th July Umi-no-hi otherwise known as Marine Day. This is a fairly new public holiday to celebrate the bounty of the sea.

Antique Fair, Fuji climbing season, Festivals, and Rock Festivals

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).

Mount Fuji Climbing Season Opens 1st July ~ 27th August
The saying goes; "One who never climbs Mount Fuji is a fool, and one who climbs twice is twice the fool." What are you? 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.
Access: Buses go directly from Shinjuku station up to the 5th station. From there to the summit it will take about 6-7 hours.

Asagao Ichi Flower Festival - 6th - 8th July
"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.
Access: A short walk from Ugisudani station on the JR Yamanote line.

Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival 6th ~ 9th July
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 many Tanabata festivals on at this time, 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.
Access: Hiratsuka station on the Tokaido line

Hoozuki-Ichi (Chinese Lantern Plant Market) Flower Festival - 9th - 10th July
The "Chinese Lantern Plant Market" festival is on for two 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.
Access: A short walk from Asakusa station on the Asakusa line (A18) or Ginza line (G19).

Fuji Rock Festival 06 28th, 29th, 30th July
A classic three day rock festival featuring an amazing line up including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Franz Ferdinand, UA and Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Mogwai, Kula Shaker, Killing Joke, Clap
A 3-day ticket 39,800 yen, one-day ticket 16,800 yen
Access: Naeba Ski Resort at Yuzawa-machi, Niigata.

AFRICA -through till 31st August
Remix: Contemporary Art Of A Continent at the Mori Art Museum, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower 53F Africa Remix provides an introduction to the surprisingly little known cultural richness of Africa today. It is an exhibition of around 140 works by 84 artists from 25 countries. Every-day 10:00 - 22:00; 10:00 - 17:00 on Tuesdays. Adult: 1,500, Students: 1,000 children 5,00
Access: Roppongi station (H04) on the Hibiya line (Direct link to concourse) or 4-min walk from Roppongi station (E23) on the Oedo line (exit 3)

by Sarah Yamada