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Title: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine Annual Festival
Location: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Yukinoshita, Kamakura-City
Link out: More Info
Description: An event which boasts 800 years of history and tradition. A hama-ori-shiki (going to the beach ritual) will be held Monday the 14th.
Start Time: 10:00 onwards
Date: 2009-09-14
Access: 10-minute walk from Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line
An event which boasts 800 years of history and tradition. A hama-ori-shiki (going to the beach ritual) will be held Monday the 14th.
On Tuesday the 15th, mikoshi will be infused with the spirit of the god and carried throughout the parish area. The main shrine’s three mikoshi as well as Shinto priests, sacred horses, and people carrying ritual items such as pennants, shields, and spears will proceed from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to the second torii gate. In front of the second torii, yaotome mai (a type of Kamakura kagura, or Shinto ritual dance) will be performed.
On Wednesday the 16th, annual stately Ogasawara-style yabusame (horseback archery) will be displayed by archers wearing traditional hunting costumes from the Kamakura Era who shoot at a series of three targets from the backs of running horses. They receive huge applause from the spectators if they hit their mark. In addition to these events, offerings of tea and flowers will take place and activities such as martial arts, music, and traditional dance will also be held.
For details, contact Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (Tel: 0467-22-0315)
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Title: Rokusho-jinja Shrine Annual Festival “Kushi Matsuri”
Location: Kokufu-hongo, Oiso-Town
More InfoClick here
Description: An annual festival held in the town of Oiso Town, this is a colorful and traditional event.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-09-06
Access: Take the Hiratsuka Station-bound bus from the South Exit of Ninomiya Station on the JR Tokaido Line (5 minutes) and get off at Kokufu-shinjuku (approximately 3-minute walk).
On this day, combs, hina dolls, sorrowful letters, and talismans are gathered at the shrine, where an exorcism is performed over them and they are burned the next day. Within the shrine precincts, shrine maidens perform sacred dances, heron dances and Oiso Kokufu taiko drum performances are held, and large mikoshi are carried about.
For details, contact Rokusho-jinja Shrine (Tel: 0463-71-3737)
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Title: Asakusa Samba Festival
Location: Asakusa around Sensoji Temple
Link out: Asakusa Samba Festival
Description: If you can’t get to Rio the Asakusa Samba Festival, held on the last Saturday in August each year, is a great summer day out.
Start Time: 13:00
Date: 2009-08-29
The Asakusa Samba Festival will kick off officially around 13:00 but it’s a good idea to get there a little bit earlier if you can. It’s a popular event and draws a big crowd so if you want a good viewing spot you’re going to need to stake your ground.
The official site for the festival is here. Unfortunately its only in Japanese but its really pretty simple. Turn up at Asakusa Station on either the Ginza Subway Line, the Asakusa Subway Line, or the Tsukuba Express and Tobu Railway line, then just follow the crowds to Sensoji Temple.
Take your camera or video as there are some great shots to be had on this festive occasion!
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Title: Summer Sonic Music Festival 2009 – 10th Anniversary!
Location: Tokyo Chiba Marine Stadium & Makuhari Messe
Link out: Click here
Description: Summer Sonic Music Festival
Start Date: 2009-08-07
End Date: 2009-08-09
The Summer Sonic music festival is now split between Tokyo and Osaka so you can choose the location that is easiest for you. Tickets are slightly more expensive in Tokyo as follows:
Tokyo: 3 day ticket 39,500 JPY including tax
Osaka: 3 day ticket 37,000 JPY including tax
Tokyo: 1 day ticket on August 7 – 14,000 JPY incl. tax, August 8 and 9 – 15,000 JPY incl. tax.
Osaka: 1 day ticket on August 7 – 13,000 JPY incl. tax, August 8 and 9 – 14,000 JPY incl. tax.
This is another musical extravaganza which has, some say, become more popular than Fuji Rock Festival – partly because of the central location which makes it more accessible to more people.
Personally I still love Fuji Rock and the chance to head to the hills ^_^
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Tokyo on a budget. Is there such a thing? And just what can you do if you’re on more of a shoestring allowance.
It’s certainly true that Japan, and particularly Tokyo, has a reputation for being expensive. I won’t argue with that. What upsets me about these statements, however, is that many people I’ve spoken with get this image in their head that you can’t have a good time here unless you spend a fortune. That’s just not true!
In this article we’ll take a look at some of the things you can get up to in Tokyo at any time of year that won’t leave a gaping hole in your wallet.
Things To Do In Tokyo
If you’re in Tokyo on a budget but want to get involved in some local action, start by checking out what Japanese festivals are going to be on during your stay. If you live here, even better. You’ve got free entertainment every week!
Festivals (matsuri in Japanese) tend to be all afternoon, if not all day affairs. You can watch the procession or display that’s usually an integral part of the matsuri free of charge. You’re usually more than welcome to join in as well if you like : )
Take a break from the action and have a stroll round the side activities that will be going on such as cultural games, art, music or sport. For food, one of the only expenses you will have for the day, try one of the most traditional festival dishes, yakisoba.
To find out what local festivals might be on as well as the more major events, take a look at the Japan Times festival page.
Visit An Izakaya!
If you’re in Tokyo on a budget and want a good night out without breaking the bank then a Tokyo izakaya is the place to go. Actually, I’d say whatever your financial situation, a visit to a local izakaya is a real chance to see the social side of Japanese life and have a great night out at the same time!
The closest thing I can think of to an izakaya in my home country, the UK, is a good old British pub. It’s really not a good comparison though. An izakaya is a place to eat and drink with friends, colleagues or family and enjoy some good banter and a laugh.
There’s an option in many izakayas to have a nomihodai session (all you can drink), usually for a fixed time period of 2 hours. Some also offer tabehodai (all you can eat) deals as well. Prices start from around 2,500 JPY per person and go up from there depending on the type of place and level of service. Good people to ask if you’re here on vacation are your hotel staff for recommendations – especially your concierge or front desk staff.
Let’s Go For A Walk
One of my favorite pastimes is just having a wander round different areas of the city. It costs absolutely nothing (apart from your transportation fee of course) so it’s great if you’re in Tokyo on a budget!
Pick an area you’d like to explore and then just head off into the back streets. It’s pointless taking a map as the street system here is very higgledy piggledy and things are often not what they seem. Especially when you’re trying to follow that route you’d planned out earlier. Better just to forget it and follow your nose.
Other areas you can wander round for free are the numerous parks and gardens that are dotted around the city. Personal favorites include Shinjuku Gyoen, the Nature and Science Park in Meguro, Inokashira Park in Kichijoji, and of course, I can’t miss out Yoyogi Park.
