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FESTIVAL LISTINGS

Japanese festivals and fairs in and around Tokyo (March 2010) Tourist Information Center, Japan National Tourist Organization The Japanese festival information was compiled in cooperation with the Tourist Information Center of the Japan National Tourist Organization. (10th floor, Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan Bldg., 2-10-1, Yurakucho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo 100-0006). Call (03) 3201-3331 for all your Japan tourist information needs (open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily). Click to see January's festival schedule. Festivals around other areas of Kanto

Tsubaki Matsuri Jan. 30 to March 28		Tsubaki Matsuri (Camellia Festival) on Oshima Island. Various species of camellia are usually in bloom during the festival period on this island. A demonstration of folk dance and taiko drums is held in the waiting room of Motomachi Port from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Feb. 29 to March 21, March 27 and March 28. Access: (1) 8 hrs. by Tokai Kisen ferryboat or 1 hr. 45 min. by hydrofoil boat from Takeshiba Pier to Oshima Island. (The Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi Station to Takeshiba Station, and then walk 1 min. to the pier, or the JR Yamanote Line to Hamamatsucho Station, and then walk 7 min. to the pier.) (2) 30 min. by air from Tokyo (Haneda Airport) to Oshima Island.

Ume Matsuri Feb. 8 to March 8		Yushima Tenjin Ume Matsuri (Japanese Apricot Blossom Festival) at Yushima Tenjin Shrine, Bunkyo-ku. Nodate (open-air tea ceremony) is held from 11 a.m. every Sunday during the festival period. Free tea tickets are distributed from 10 a.m. on each Sunday, on a first-come, first-served basis. Access: The Chiyoda Subway Line to Yushima Station

Daruma Ichi March 1		Tanashi Daruma Ichi (Daruma Doll Fair) at Tanashisan Soji-ji Temple, Nishitokyo in the suburbs of Tokyo. About 5 stalls selling Daruma dolls are set up in the temple compound from around 9 a.m. to sunset. The similar fair is scheduled for April 1. Access: 30 min. by the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station to Tanashi Station (North Exit), and then walk 5 min.

Daruma Ichi March 3 to March 4		Jindaiji Daruma Ichi (Daruma Doll Fair) at Jindaiji Temple, Chofu, in the suburbs of Tokyo. About 300 open-air stalls selling Daruma dolls, trinkets, temple charms, barbecued corns, cotton candies and potted plants are set up on the approach to the temple from 9 a.m. to around 5 p.m. on both days. Access: (1) The Keio Line to Tsutsujigaoka Station (Kitaguchi Exit) or Chofu Station (Kitaguchi Exit). From there, 15 min. by bus for Jindaiji, and get off at Jindaiji Bus Stop. (2) The JR Chuo Line to Kichijoji Station (South Exit). From there, 20-30 min. by bus for Jindaiji, and get off at Jindaiji Bus Stop.

Heiwajima Antiques Fair March 5 to March 7		Heiwajima Zenkoku Komingu Kotto Matsuri or Heiwajima Antique Fair is held at Heiwajima Tokyo Ryutsu Center, Ota-ku, participated in by more than 200 dealers from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the period. (Please enter by 4 p.m.) The similar event is scheduled for May (3-5), June (25-27), Sep. (24-26) and Dec. (17-19) this year. Admission is free. Access: The Tokyo Monorail Line originating at Hamamatsucho Station to Ryutsu Center Station

Hi-watari March 14		Hi-watari-Sai (rigorous religious practice of walking on burning charcoals) at Takaosan Yakuoin Temple, Hachioji on the outskirts of Tokyo. The ritual is held at Jidosha Kitoden-Hiroba (a prayer place for road safety) in the temple compound near Takaosan-guchi Station. Following the lighting ceremony, yamabushi (mountain priests) walk barefoot on the burning embers from 1 p.m. Everyone willing to try may participate in this practice toward the end of the event. Access: The Keio Line originating at Shinjuku Station to Takaosan-guchi Station, and then walk 5 min. to Jidosha Kitoden-Hiroba .

Ume Matsuri March 14		Kanbai Shimin Matsuri (Japanese Apricot Blossom Festival) at Yoshino Baigo in Oume on the outskirts of Tokyo. There are about 25,000 Japanese apricot trees usually in full bloom on the day. The events held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the two sites are as follows: (1) on Jindaibashi-dori (street) near JR Hinatawada Station; Ohayashi (festival music) from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., folk dance and music from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., and Wadaiko (Japanese drum beating) from 1 p.m. to 1:40 p.m., (2) at Ume-no-Koen (Japanese apricot park); Shishi-mai (Lion Dance) performance from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Nodate (open-air tea ceremony) from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., and koto performance from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. When it rains, all these events will be postponed to March 22. Access: The JR Oume Line to Hinatawada Station, and then walk 15 min. to the park.

Kinryu-no-mai March 18		Kinryu-no-mai (Golden Dragon Dance) at Sensoji Temple, Taito-ku. The dance is performed three times at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the temple compound. When it rains, the event will be cancelled. Access: The Ginza or Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Asakusa Station

Sakura Matsuri March 20 to April 4		Ueno Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) at Ueno Park, Taito Ward. People can enjoy viewing about 1,200 cherry trees in bloom even in the evening, as thousands of bonbori (paper lanterns) are lit up from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. during the festival period. An antique fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., ueki-ichi (potted plant fair) from around 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and some other events are scheduled around Shinobazu-no-ike (pond) in the park daily during the period. Access: The JR Yamanote Line, the Ginza or Hibiya Subway Line to Ueno Station

Shinki-sai or Taimatsu Matsuri March 25		Shinkisai or Taimatsu Matsuri (Torchlight Festival) at Kameido Tenjin (Tenmangu) Shrine, Koto Ward, features a torchlight parade of about 40 children and adults from around 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. When it rains, this torchlight parade will be canceled, and only the Shinto ritual will be held indoors. Access: The JR Sobu Line to Kameido Station or Kinshicho Station, and then walk 15 min.

Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010 March 25 to March 28		Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010 is held at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba from the 25th to the 28th. The fair brings together more than 250 anime-related Japanese and overseas companies, such as animation production companies, toy and software developers, motion picture and TV companies, publishers and advertising agencies. Tokyo International Anime Fair is the world's largest ever in scale of this kind. The fair is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 27th and the 28th. (Please enter by 5:30 p.m.) An admission fee is ¥1,000 (on the day). Advance tickets: ¥800 each are sold at Lawson convenience stores, Kinokuniya book store (Shinjuku main shop), Tokyo Anime Center in Akihabara, and Tokyo Kanko Jyoho Center in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office building in Shinjuku, from Jan. 30th until March 26th. Access: (1) The Yurikamome Line originating from Shimbashi Station to Kokusaitenjijo-seimon Station (2) About 30 min. by Toei Bus from Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal to Tokyo Big Sight.

Hamura, Hana to Mizu no Matsuri March 26 to April 22		Hamura Hana-to-Mizu-no-Matsuri (Hamura Flower an Water Festival), Hamura on the outskirts of Tokyo. The festival consists of Sakura Matsuri, cherry blossom festival, and Tulip Festival. Sakura Matsuri is held at Hamura-seki from March 26 to April 11. Cherry blossoms are lit up in the evening during the festival period. Tulip Festival is held at Negaramimae-suiden (paddy field) from April 9 to 22. Besides these festivals, an annual spring festival of Yakumo Shrine is also held on April 11, featuring a parade of mikoshi (portable shrines) carried by townspeople going through the city. And then, one of the portable shrines is carried into the Tamagawa River from around 11 a.m. to noon. Access: The JR Oume Line to Hamura Station (West Exit), and then walk 10 min.

Sakura Matsuri March 26 to April 4		Chiyoda-no-Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) at Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda-ku. One can enjoy a view of cherry blossoms along Chidorigafuchi moat and in the precincts of Yasukuni Shrine until around 10 p.m., since the paths along the moat and the precincts of the Shrine are lighted up during the period. Ueki-ichi (potted plant fair) is held at Yasukuni Shrine from around 10 a.m. to sunset during the festival period. Access: The Tozai, Hanzomon or Toei Shinjuku Subway Line to Kudanshita Station to Yasukuni Shrine and Chidorigafuchi.

Bokutei Sakura Matsuri March 27 to April 4		Bokutei Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) at Sumida Koen (park), Sumida-ku. Various performances are held on Sakurabashi Bridge over the Sumida River every Saturday and Sunday; Daidogei (street performances), Wadaiko (Japanese drum beating), Kappore Odori (Japanese folk dance) and some more events are demonstrated. Exact hours are still to be arranged. When it rains, the events will be canceled. The festival period could vary depending on cherry flowering period. Access: The Ginza or Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Asakusa Station

Festivals around other areas of Kanto Tourist Information Center, Japan National Tourist Organization Festivals around Tokyo

Plum blossom Festival at Yugawara Feb. 6 to March 14		Yugawara-bairin Ume-no-Utage (Japanese Apricot Festival) at Makuyama Park in Yugawara, Kanagawa Pref. Visitors can enjoy 4,000 blossoming Japanese apricot trees in the park. Various events; Japanese dance from 12 on March 1, and wadaiko (Japanese drums)from 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on March 6th, are also scheduled. Apricot blossoms are lighted up from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Feb. 20 to March 7. Access: The JR Tokaido Line to Yugawara Station, and then take a direct bus (10 min.) bound for Makuyama Park, which is available during the period.

Ume Matsuri Feb. 13 to March 7		Sankei-en Kanbai-kai or Ume Matsuri (Japanese Apricot Festival) at Sankei-en Garden, Yokohama, Kanagawa Pref. This Japanese-style landscape garden has about 2,000 Japanese apricot trees, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is ¥500. There are many events scheduled every Saturday and Sunday during the period, such as a performance of koto music on March 6th, and a performance of Japanese dance on March 7th, both from time to time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Barley tea is served at Hatsune-Chaya (teahouse) in the garden for free of charge during the period. Access: (1) The JR Negishi Line to Negishi Station From there, 10 min. by bus to Honmoku Bus Stop, and then walk 7 min. (2) The JR Keihin Tohoku, JR Tokaido or the Tokyu Toyoko Line to Yokohama Station (East Exit). From there, 35 min. by bus to Honmoku Sankeien-mae Bus Stop, and then walk 3 min.

Ume Matsuri Feb. 20 to March 31		Mito-no-Ume Matsuri (Japanese Apricot Flower Festival) at Kairakuen Japanese Apricot Garden, Mito, Ibaraki Pref. A performance of Koto (Japanese harp) music is given from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 28th. Hina-nagashi (the event of floating dolls down on a stream) is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12 on March 6. Nodate, open-air tea ceremony serving bowls of macha, powdered green tea, is held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 7, 14 and 21 respectively. Admission is free. Access: (1) The JR Joban Line to Kairakuen Rinji Station (temporary station). Direct local trains and Limited Express trains leaving Ueno Station from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. are operated on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Feb. 20 until March 22. (2) The JR Joban Line to Mito Station, and then 20 min. by bus to Kairakuen Bus Stop.

Hi-matsuri March 7		Nagatoro Hi-Matsuri (Fire Festival) at Nagatoro-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Pref. Local Shishi-mai (Lion Dance) is performed on the grounds near Nagatoro Station on the Chichibu Tetsudo Railway from 10 a.m. to noon. And then rengyo, a parade of mountain priests and participants demonstrating Shishi-mai and local performing arts leaves the grounds at 12:30 p.m. for the parking lot (next to Hodosan Ropeway Sanroku-eki Station), where hi-watari, rigorous religious practice of walking on burnt charcoals, takes place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Access: (1) The Tobu Tojo Line to Yorii Station From there, the Chichibu Tetsudo Railway to Nagatoro Station, and then walk 15 min. to the festival site for seeing Hi-watari. (2) 1 hr. 30 min. by Seibu Railway's Limited Express, Red Arrow, from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu Chichibu Station, and then walk about 5 min. to Ohanabatake Station From there, take the Chichibu Tetsudo Railway to Nagatoro Station, and then walk 15 min. to the festival site.

Yudate-no Shishi-mai March 27		Yudate-no-Shishi-mai (Lion Dance) of Suwa Shrine, Hakone-machi, Ashigara-Shimo-gun, Kanagawa Pref. Seven kinds of Shishi-mai are dedicated to the Shrine from around 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the precincts of the Shrine. One of them, called Kama-Meguri-no-mai is distinguished for its dance of splashing hot water with bamboo leaves on visitors. Access: The JR Tokaido, the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line or the Odakyu Line to Odawara Station From there, about 50 min. by Hakone Tozan Bus to Sengokuhara Bus Stop., and then walk 5 min. to the Shrine.

Sakura Matsuri March 27 to April 4		Odawara Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) at Joshi Koen (park), Odawara, Kanagawa Pref. Chigo-Gyoretsu (a parade of children in fancy attire) is held from 1 p.m. to around 2 p.m. on April 4. The festival period might be subject to change depending on cherry flowering period. Access: (1) The JR Tokaido Shinkansen or the JR Tokaido Line to Odawara Station, and then walk 7 min. (2) 1 hr. 10 min. by Odakyu Railways' Limited Express, Romance Car or 1 hr. 40 min. by Odakyu Railways' Express from Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station, and then walk 7 min.

Kan-ou-no-Yube March 27 to April 4		Kan-ou-no-Yube (Cherry Blossom-viewing Festival at night) at Sankei-en Garden, Yokohama, Kanagawa Pref. The garden is a Japanese-style landscape garden with about 500 cherry trees. During the period, one can enjoy cherry blossom viewing even in the evening, since the garden is illuminated until 9 p.m. Please enter by 8:30 p.m. Admission to the garden is ¥500. Access: (1) The JR Negishi Line to Negishi Station From there, 10 min. by bus to Honmoku Bus Stop, and then walk 7 min. (2) The JR Keihin Tohoku, the JR Tokaido or the Tokyu Toyoko Line to Yokohama Station (East Exit). From there, 30 min. by bus to Honmoku Sankeien-mae Bus Stop, and then walk 3 min.