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A Happy New Year 2024！
As we welcome the new year, we want to express our gratitude for your continued trust and support.
May the new year be filled with exciting adventures, unforgettable experience, joy, and prosperity.
We look forward to helping you discover more of Japan’s hidden gems and creating unforgettable memories together in 2024.

In our first blog of the new year, we will introduce some New Year’s activities that take place in Japan. In Japan, there are many events to welcome the new year. Although what people do differ from person to person, I would like to introduce the main events that have been held from ancient times to the present day. If you are in Japan during the New Year period, why not try out these activities?

Typical New Year events

1.Hatsumode
2.Kakizome
3.Seven Lucky gods Tour

1.Toshikoshi Mairi、Hatsumode（年越し参り、初詣）

In Japan, from the end of the year to the beginning of the new year, New Year’s Eve visits, “Hatsumode,” are held at temples and shrines. This New Year’s Eve festival has the meaning of giving thanks for the old year and praying for safety and peace in the new year, and the New Year’s bell is rung 108 times to exorcise the 108 earthly desires of humans.

Joyanokane “除夜の鐘” is a Buddhist event in Japan where the temple bell is rung 108 times on New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day. This event is part of the “Joya no Kane” ceremony, which is the last ceremony of the year that expresses gratitude for the past year. To ring the bell, approach the bell and bow with your hands together before striking the bell with the wooden mallet attached to the bell by a rope. Finally, bow again and express your wishes or gratitude to Buddha in your heart.

Hatsumode is generally held between January 1st to 7th or January 15th, known as Matsunouchi, but many people visit temples and shrines between January 1st and 3rd. Matsunouchi refers to the period during which pine trees are displayed as a symbol of the New Year’s God welcoming. *Matsunouchi period differs depending on the region.

2.Kakizome （書初め）

Kakizome calligraphy ”書初め” is one of the traditional annual events that has been held in Japan since ancient times, and it is filled with the meaning of achieving goals and celebrating the new year, as people set their resolutions and plans for the year, as well as congratulatory words.
The Japanese proverb “一年の計は元旦にあり” means that you should make a plan or set a goal for the year on January 1st, preferably in the early morning. And the plan and target write down on a paper.

It is generally “Kakizome” is hold on January 2nd. The reason for this is that January 2nd of the new year is said to be the “beginning of things,” and it is said that if you start your first job, such as writing, learning, or doing business, from the 2nd, you will improve faster and last longer.

3.Seven lucky gods tour　七福神巡り

The Seven lucky gods tour (Shichifukujin Meguri) is the custom of visiting temples and shrines that enshrine the seven Lucky Gods during the New Year. The Seven Lucky Gods are seven gods that have been worshiped since ancient times as the gods of fortune and wealth. You can pray for happiness and health by visiting the Seven Lucky Gods. The activity is held all over the country, and although there is no set time, it is said that Matsunouchi （January 1st to 7th）is the best time to visit.
There are several places in Tokyo where you can tour the Seven Lucky Gods, but Asakusa is the most famous among them. We will visit nine temples and shrines in Asakusa.

Here is the route of nine temples and shrines for Seven luck gods tour in Asakusa

①Sensouji (浅草寺)　Daikokuten (大黒天)
It is Tokyo’s oldest temple with a history of 1,400 years and is where Daikokuten, the god of treasure, is enshrined. It is also famous for its approach to the shrine, which is bustling with festivals throughout the year.

②Asakusa shrine(浅草神社)　Ebisu (恵比寿神)
Asakusa Shrine, where the three people who found the Kannon statue at Sensoji Temple are enshrined, is also famous for the Sanja Festival.
This shrine is dedicated to Ebisu, the god of good fortune that brings blessings from the sea and a large catch, and is a shrine where people pray for good luck.

③Machituyashoden（待乳山聖天）Bishamonten (毘沙門天)
The symbol is the radish, which is said to purify the heart when offered. This is a shrine where people pray for business prosperity and good health.

④Imado shrine(今戸神社)　Fukurokujyu (福禄寿)
It is popular as a god of matchmaking, and as the birthplace of beckoning cats, there are many cat ornaments on the grounds.

⑤Hashimafudoson（橋場不動尊）Hoteison(布袋尊)
Because this temple escaped damage during earthquakes and wars, it is said to be a temple that brings good luck and warding off evil spirits. The Hotei-sama here is a rare figure with a bag on his stomach instead of holding a bag.

⑥Ishihama shrine（石浜神社）Jurojin（寿老神）
The oldest shrine in Arakawa Ward, founded in 724. Minamoto no Yoritomo, the shogun of the Kamakura period, also prayed to the god of longevity during his conquest of Oshu.

⑦Yoshiwara shrine（吉原神社）Benzaiten （弁財天）
This shrine is located where there used to be a downtown area called the red-light district. The god of good luck, business prosperity, and skill improvement.

⑧Ootori shrine（鷲神社）Jurojin（寿老人）
It is the god of prosperous business, good fortune, and success, and is famous for the Tori no Ichi (Tori no Ichi) festival held in November and the “Nadeokame” decorated at the shrine.

⑨Yasakiinari shrine（矢先稲荷神社）Fukurokuju（福禄寿）
The god of business establishment, academic achievement, fulfillment of moral character, and long life in military affairs. He is wearing a crane symbolizing longevity, has white hair and a white beard, and has a harmonious and harmonious face, representing the highest ideal of a person.
A must-see is the ceiling painting of the shrine called “Japanese Horse Riding History”!

The Seven lucky gods tour will take you deeper into Asakusa, so you may be able to find local shopping streets and hidden treasures just for you. It will take about 3 to 4 hours to walk all the way, but it will be a very enjoyable walk. Why not try it as a memory of Japan?

It’s almost done the hottest summer ever. The weather in nighttime is much better than July or August. I’m looking forward for coming the cool and beautiful Autum season from end of September.
This time I’d like to share with you some summer festivals which I visited. It was so excited in these festivals. It’s my pleasure if it will be supporting your better planning next summer.

Gion Festival (Kyoto)

Event date and Place: All July, highlight day is 14th-to 17th July 2023, Karasuma street Kyoto

What is the festival:

Gion Matsuri festival is the famous festival for one of big three festival in Japan.
Gion Matsuri is one of the most important festivals of Yasaka Jinja Shrine in Kyoto with a tradition of more than 1150 years and takes place over the entire month of July. The month-long Gion Matsuri is a festival to prevent epidemics. During this period, various rituals and events are held, and the downtown of Kyoto is in a festive mood. Its highlight is the magnificent Mikoshi-Togyo and Yamahoko-Junko on July 17 and 24. The festival can be observed as soon as getting off the train at Karasuma station.

History:
Gion Matsuri originated in 869 (Jogan 11th) when a terrible pestilence spread across the entire land of Kyoto, and people were suffering from it. In the past, people used to think that the cause of it is vengeful spirits and evil deities. The people of Kyoto attempted to appease them and pray for an end to the pestilence by erecting 66 spears (called Hoko) representing the provinces of Japan in Shinsen-en, a sacred imperial garden in Heian Capital, and carrying around the Mikoshi (a portable shrine) for the deity of Yasaka Jinja Shrine to Shinsen-en. In this way, Gion matsuri began as a festival to eradicate pestilences and prevent epidemics. The people of Kyoto have protected and supported this festival to this day in the face of many interruptions caused by civil wars and political reasons.

Highlight
The highlight events of Gion Matsuri take place in the Karasuma Street. During the three days preceding the procession, the respective Yama and Hoko are displayed within about a half kilometer of the intersection of Karasuma and Shijo streets. While they are on display, some of the floats can be entered by tourists.
The Matsuri festival becomes most exciting in the evenings, when from 18:00 until 23:00 the streets are closed to traffic and the area swells with food stands, drink vendors and other festival hallmarks. These festive evenings leading up to the procession are known as Yoiyama (July 16), Yoiyoiyama (July 15) and Yoiyoiyoiyama (July 14). Similar festivities also take place on the three evenings leading up to the procession on July 24, albeit on a smaller scale and with fewer road closures and stands. In 2023, road closures will happen only on July 15 and 16.

The processions of floats (Yamaboko Junko) take place between 9:00 and 13:00 on the 17th and from 9:30 to 11:50 on the 24th and follow a three-kilometer-long route along Shijo, Kawaramachi and Oike streets. Some paid seating is provided in front of the city hall (4100-5100 yen; advance booking required), but because the procession takes place over quite a long route and duration, good viewpoints can also be found elsewhere without too much trouble.

Tsukuda Festival　（Tokyo Central）

Event day and place: beginning of August, Tsukuda Tokyo

What is the festival:
A summer of fisherman’s festival ”Tsukuda Matsuri” in Tsukuda and Tsukishima. Main place is Sumiyoshitaisha shrine in Tsukuda. Tsukuda and Tsukishima in central Tokyo, are areas that were all sea about 400 years ago. Fishermen from Osaka Prefecture landfilled and created this piece of land. The prayers of those fishermen still live on. The main festival of the Sumiyoshi Shrine is held once every 3 years. The excitement of the boisterous fishermen comes to a peak during the festival. .
The festival can be observed as soon as getting off the train at Tsukishima station.

History:
It was fishermen who came from Osaka that began to landfill the mudflats of the Sumida River inlet and settle there. This was about the time when the Edo shogunate was established in Tokyo. The Sumiyoshi Shrine built in Tsukuda in 1590, Tokyo is the Shinto deity re-enshrined from a shrine of the hometown of the fishermen in Osaka. Wishing for plenty of catch and safety at sea, the fishermen started a festival in 1646. The mikoshi, or the portable shrine, is raised high, to worship the Sumiyoshi Shrine.

Highlight:
The Oonobori flag, a symbol of the festival 18 meter high from 1798, has erected for on 4th August 2023. For the next 4 days, the town will be full of festive activities. The main spectacle of the 2nd day is a competition in which participants try to grab the rope at the tip of the snout of lion figures. Grabbing the snout of the female lion brings the highest esteem. The main mikoshi will parade all over Tsukuda and Tsukishima the following 2 days.
Many portable shrines parade through the streets of Tsukuda and Tsukishima. It is also called the Water Festival because sprinkled water on the mikoshi for purifying.

Hachioji Matsuri　（Tokyo South）

Event day and Place: beginning of August, Hachioji Tokyo

What is the festival:
Hachioji Matsuri is the one of the best float festivals in the Kanto region.
Along with the spectacular floats to appreciate, there will be taiko drumming performances, a cultural exchange with performers from Kaohsiung in Taiwan (one of Hachioji’s sister cities), a Hachioji lion dance display (an Intangible Folk Cultural Property), and more.
The festival can be observed as soon as getting off the train at Hachioji station.

History:
The float festival in the central city has been passed down since the Edo period, and the festival at Yahata and Yakumo Shrine is known as the Shimono Matsuri, and the festival at Taga Shrine is known as the Upper Matsuri Kamino Matsuri.” In the mid-Meiji period, it was a festival of doll floats, and from the late Meiji period to the early Showa period, it was famous throughout the Kanto region as a festival of carved floats with 20 carvings carved all over the bottom and top.

In 1945, eight of the floats were destroyed in a fire during the war, but they were rebuilt and the doll floats were restored. Currently, 19 floats from the 19 town associations participate in the Hachioji Festival, and every year they stage a spectacular float festival picture scroll along the Koshu Highway.

Highlight:
Nineteen floats with elaborate carvings will appear. During the night parade, the floats are lit up by tomoshibi, creating a fantastical spectacle that is different from the daytime.

In addition, traditional culture that Hachioji is proud of, such as the lion dance, which is an intangible folk cultural asset designated by Hachioji City, which is transmitted to shrines in the city, the Kanto Taiko Drum Battle that echoes in the summer sky, and the folk dance that dancers in yukata gather on the Koshu Kaido. We believe that you will be able to fully enjoy the many.

Fukagawa Festival　（Tokyo）

Event day and place: Beginning of August, East Tokyo

What is the festival：
The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival is one of three major festivals of Edo (the other two being the Kanda Matsuri and the Sanno Matsuri). It is particularly famous for the scenes of water being thrown at the mikoshi carriers by visitors, leading to the festival being known more informally as the Mizukake Matsuri or “Water Splashing Festival”. Every three years, the festival becomes the “hon-matsuri” when there is an added procession of the Hachiman imperial carriage along the streets of Koto Ward accompanied by 120 smaller mikoshi.
The festival takes place over five days, but Sunday is the day of the main parade (神輿連合渡御)—an 8km route which loops the shrine to the north from 7:30am to 3:30pm. The water-splashing starts once the procession has crossed Eitai Bridge about 1km northwest of Tomioka Hachiman Shrine
The festival can be observed as soon as getting off the train at Monzen nakamachi station.

History:
The festival was instituted by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1642 when the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, celebrated his first son, Ietsuna, becoming his successor. This event laid the foundation for the festival, symbolizing the close ties it has with the Tokugawa shogunate and the Imperial household.
So popular has this event become that it was known to have caused a bridge to collapse due to the crowd’s size in 1807. This event also gives the festival its other name, the “Water-throwing Festival,” as bystanders splash water on the Mikoshi carriers to cool them in the summer heat.

Highlight:
Every three years, a significant event known as Hon-Matsuri takes place, which is a spectacular parade of the Mikoshi (portable shrines) where the deities are carried from the shrine.
The festival involves dozens of Mikoshi from different neighborhoods, parading an approximately 8-kilometer route that starts and ends at the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, traveling through various districts of Koto Ward. This grand procession paints a vibrant picture of communal spirit and historical continuity, attracting spectators from around the world. The carriers chant “Wasshoi!” in unison, a lively cry that ripples through the neighborhoods.
The festival stands as a beacon of cultural heritage, a lively testament to Tokyo’s rich past.

Koenji Awaodori　（Tokyo）

Event day and Place: End of August, West Tokyo

What is the festival:
The Koenji Awa-odori Dance has become one of Tokyo’s most renowned summer events, with more than 10,000 dancers and a million spectators. Embedded within its 66-year history is the desire to bring joy to people through the smiling faces of the performers. This is the first time in four years performances will be held outside, with passionate dancing taking place at eight venues.

During the day, two locations will present thrilling stage shows. Enjoy the return of Awa-odori dancing to the streets of Koenji over two days.
The festival focuses on the traditional dance, whose origins can be traced to O-bon, a Buddhist ritual held to celebrate the return of the deceased in the world of the living for a few days.
The festival can be observed as soon as getting off the train at Koenji station, from 5 p.m. The groups successively parade until 8 p.m., and spectators can watch from the sides of the large Konen Dori avenue, that stretches toward south until Shin-Koenji subway station.

History
This festival started with the purpose of revitalizing the town of Koenji in 1957. Because no one in Koenji had actual Awa odori experience, the initial years of the festival didn’t look much like the Tokushima original, but it slowly came to resemble the real thing as the years went on. The celebration also expanded in scope, with several other Koenji shopping streets joining in on the action.

Awa was the name of a province on the eastern edge of Shikoku (present-day Tokushima Prefecture), and “odori” is the Japanese word for “dance.” The Awa odori ren (dance troupes) typically dance in a two-step rhythm called zomeki. Women wear large, pointed straw hats and dance on their tiptoes in wooden clogs with their arms waving in the air, while men take a crouched position, sometimes wielding uchiwa (fans) or chōchin (lanterns). They’re followed by the hayashi, or instrument section, which features thundering taiko, gongs, shamisen and flutes.

Highlight:
Over 10,000 dancers and musicians, men, women and sometimes children, gather in Ren groups to parade performing an original choreography with the same basic steps and following the rhythm of lively music over the two days on the streets. The friendly atmosphere and memorable show are the staples of entertaining evening.

Summer festivals is almost finish, but other season festivals will continue in various places.
Although daytime sightseeing can be quite difficult in the hot summer, there are many fun events such as fireworks and night festivals.

What kind of festival will you enjoy next summer?

It’s been very hot summer day in Tokyo every day. According to the weather forecast, there is a danger of heat stroke, so Japan government advise you to refrain from going out during the day. But don’t you want to do something memorable since it’s summer season?

So, this time I would like to tell you some ways to enjoy summer. How about making fun summer memories? Here is the list of summer activity options.

1. Workshop and factory tour
2. Visit immersive museum and aquarium
3. Go to see Sunflower
4. Watch the fireworks and festival
5. Spend time in cool mountain and riverside

１．Workshop and factory tour
Many workshops are held in various places in Tokyo such as Nihonbashi, Asakusa, and Yanaka.
Among them, there are various things such as making Japanese sweets, tea ceremony, making Japanese paper, making candy, making soba noodles, making food replicas, and dyeing Japanese Tenugui. There are many things that can be experienced by families, so you can enjoy it with your family while avoiding the heat.

Suntory Fuchu factory tour is one of interesting tour. You can watch the factory and drink free beer and soft drinks after the tour.

If you need a more information of workshop, please check the tour image.

2.Visit immersive museum and aquarium

Tokyo has some immersive museums and a goldfish aquarium that is open only in summer.
For example, there are the Immersive Mueum Tokyo in Nihonbashi, Team Labo Planets in Toyosu and the goldfish aquarium in Ginza.

In addition, you can see fish swimming in the cool water at Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro and Aquarium in Shinagawa. How about finding your favorite museum?

3.Go to see Sunflower
Sunflowers are summer flowers. Sunflowers are full blooming at Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa.
There are many other places to see sunflowers.
However, you will be able to see the sunflowers during the day, so please be careful of the heat.

4.Watch the fireworks and festival

In summer, fireworks and festivals are held all over the country to pray for peace and good health.
There are major events such as the Sumida River Fireworks, as well as events held in rural areas, so we recommend visiting for a Japanese cultural experience.
Festivals include portable shrines and floats during the day, as well as dances that can be seen at night.
How about finding your favorite festival?

Matsuri information is here.

5.Relaxing in cool mountain and river side

You can stay cooler than in the city center, such as in the mountains with many trees or along the river. Akikawa Valley in Okutama, Route 6 on Mt. Takao and Villa area in Karuizawa are good place to relaxing and strolling.
It is recommended because you can leave the city for a while and refresh your feelings.

Summer is just beginning. Please enjoy and making only your summer memories.

Exciting Marathon event in Tokyo！

On March 5, 2023, a warm day with spring approaching, I participated in the Tokyo Marathon.
It was fun and exciting 26.2-mile Marathon race in Tokyo 2023.

In the race held on March 5, 2023, 38,420 runners gathered from inside and outside Japan and started in front of the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building.
This year’s tournament was a year when the COVID-19 calmed down, so there was no limit to cheering, and many people rushed to cheer on the roadside.

What is Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo marathon has the holding as the annual marathon sports event in Tokyo since 2007. Nowadays, Tokyo marathon has become a Japanese phenomenon as the one of the Top6 city major marathon in the world(WMM) from 2013. It’s one of the biggest marathons in the country, drawing elite runners from around the globe and local citizens. There are wheelchair races for men and women as well.

Marathon course

The Tokyo Marathon course starts in Shinjuku and runs through many famous places.
It runs through the streets of Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ueno, Nihonbashi, Asakusa, Kuramae, and other tourist spots, and ends near Tokyo Station.
On the course, you can run while sightseeing in Tokyo, such as Tokyo Sky Tree, Asakusa, Kaminarimon of Sensoji Temple, and the streets of Nihonbashi with many long-established stores.

The time limit is as long as 7 hours, and a lot of cheering will liven up the race, so you can enjoy the fun of being at a festival.

How to enjoy Tokyo marathon

The excitement of Tokyo marathon has started from the Marathon expo. It is necessary to go to the Tokyo Marathon Expo by the day before to receive the Tokyo Marathon bib.
The expo is held in a large venue, but Friday nights and Saturdays are crowded, so we recommend going on Thursdays and Fridays in the morning or early afternoon.

Also, on the day of the race, you will run through the city, so if you visit the famous places by the day before, the race mood will be even more exciting.

Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara, Sky Tree, Nihonbashi, Ginza, Shinjuku, and more are all wonderful tourist spots.

The day of the race

On the day of the race, the race will start in front of the Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building.
You have to check in your luggage at 8:45 and get to the starting point by 8:55. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Shinjuku Station to the gate. On top of that, you should arrive at Shinjuku Station at 7:30, taking into consideration the waiting time for security checks at the gate entrance, baggage deposit, and restrooms.

It’s still a bit chilly season before the start, so we recommend bringing a jacket. There is a jacket collection box at the start point, so if you don’t need it, you can ask for it.

A lot of drinks such as water and sports drinks are prepared on the course. Most of the food is not provided, so it is a good idea to bring an action diet if you need it.

If you have the chance, why not participate in the Tokyo Marathon, one of the world’s 6 major marathons?