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Events in Tokyo
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
Heralding the beginning of spring, cherry trees burst into a
riot of pink and white blossoms all over the city drawing
thousands of holiday makers daily for cherry blossom viewing
(hanami). The Japanese celebrate this popular festival with
hanami parties under the trees with picnics, drinking, singing
and dancing. Street stalls are set up and musicians serenade
the merry picnickers, many of whom are decked out in outrageous
costumes and masks. For more information contact the Tokyo
Tourist Information Centre on (03) 5321 3077.
Venue: Various
Date: Early April
Sanja Festival
The Sanja Matsuri or Sanja Festival is the biggest of Tokyo's
three great festivals, along with the Kanda Festival
and Sanno Festival, which alternate every year. During
the
annual festival
thousands of frenzied devotees gather for traditional
portable shrine processions, ancient ritual music and
dancing, and
other festivities. The processions are in honour of the
three resident
deities of the Asakusa Shrine, who are paraded through
the streets in huge, elaborately decorated mikoshi
or portable
shrines carried
on the shoulders of dozens of strong men dressed in traditional
festival clothing, and surrounded by chanting worshippers.
Up to 100 other mikoshi are carried around in processions
meant
to bring blessings and good luck to the area and its
inhabitants. For more information contact the Tourist
Information Centre on +81 (03) 3201 3331.
Venue: Asakusa
Shrine area
Date: 14-15 May 2005, TBC (third weekend in
May)
Time: 7am to 7pm
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
Every summer Japan prepares for its numerous fireworks
(hanabi) festivals held throughout the nation.
The biggest of these
is the display over the Sumida River, which is
a major event on
the cultural calendar of Tokyo, with spectacular
multicoloured layers that blossom into the night
sky to awe the millions
of spectators gathered along the banks or in
boats on the river. Many dress in traditional kimono
and festival
wear
for the
occasion.
The highlight of the display is a dazzling competition
between highly acclaimed fireworks manufacturers.
For more information
contact the Fireworks Office on +81 (0)3 5246
1111.
Venue: Sumida River
Date: 30 July 2005
Time:
7pm
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