Look what's Happening in Tokyo
Issue: May 2006

Public Holidays in May

3rd May Constitution Memorial Day This holiday celebrates the establishment of the Japanese Constitution on May 3rd 1947.
4th May Holiday for the Nation
5th May Children's Day A special day for boys. Carp streamers are displayed outside the homes. They symbolize strength and perseverance that boys need. The numbers of carp indicate the numbers of men in the family, with the largest for the father.

Spring Festivals and Sumo

Haru no Taisai - Spring Festival at Meiji-Jingu Shrine 29th April - 3rd May
This annual spring festival starts with an Imperial Court dance and continues with traditional music and drama throughout the festival.
Access: Take the Yamanote line to Harajuku station or Chiyoda line to Meiji-jingu mae station (C03) and head for the Meiji Shrine.

Sanja Festival at Senso Shrine, Asakusa 19th - 21st May
The Sanja Festival is one of the 3 great festivals of Tokyo. The main feature is the parading of over 100 mikoshi (portable shrines) which are carried by the residents around the local streets from dawn to dusk on the Saturday. It is said that the more the mikoshi are shaken by the teams the more blessings will be bestowed on the neighborhood.
Access: Take the Ginza (G19) or Asakusa lines (A1) to Asakusa station. From there it is a 5 min. walk.

The 2004 May Grand Sumo Tournament at the Ryogoku Kan 7th - 21st May
Tickets can be bought in advance or you can choose to watch it in the comfort of your own apartment when it is shown daily on TV. The tournament is held 6 times throughout the year.
Access: Take the Sobu line to Ryogoku station

Aoi Festival Kyoto at Kamigamo Shrine 15th May
The annual Aoi festival dates back to the early 8th century. It was originally held to pray for a good harvest following several years of bad ones because of frequent storms and floods. Unlike most festivals in Japan this festival is a fairly somber affair. Over 500 people in full Heian Period court dress and beautiful carriages are pulled by oxen parade quietly through the streets.
Access: You can reach Kyoto by Shinkansen in a little under 3 hours.

Concerts

Chris Bottin
18th - 20th May
Blue Note Tokyo
Access: 8 minutes walk from Omotesando station

Luis Bravo's FOREVER TANGO
20th 21st 22nd May
International Forum Hall C
Access: 1 minute from Yurakucho station

End of April beginning of May Fuji Matsuri - Wisteria Festival at Kameido Shrine is a must.
Access: A 10-minute walk from Kameido Station or Kinshicho Station on the JR Sobu Line.

Flowers in bloom this month

May Iris - the best place to view these beautiful flowers is the Meiji Shobuen and the Meiji Shrine.
Access: Take the Yamanote line to Harajuku station or Chiyoda line to Meiji-jingu mae station (C03)

by Sarah Yamada