Sumida Annual Festivals
Fun for Everyone!
The year's events in Sumida City, starting with the pilgrimage of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune in January, lead us through the changes of the seasons, all the way through until December. Why not join us at one of these events? |
January
Shichifukujin (Seven Deities of Good Fortune) Tour along the Sumida River.
The Seven Deities represent the greatest treasures of human personality: life, happiness, popularity, integrity, charm, influence, and abundance. There are many shrines celebrating the Deities connected with these seven Deities of good fortune. The Sumida River Shichifukujin is one of the most famous among them. The Shichifukujin Tour is customary for many people visiting the shrines along the course wishing for happiness throughout the year.
For details, please see the Shichifukujin.
|
|
|
|
February
The City of Sumida and Beethoven's 9TH Symphony
At the Kokugikan where sumo tournaments are held, 5,000 citizens gather every year at the end of February to participate in a big event called "The 9TH Symphony". This concert is one of the biggest event in Japan and at times you can even see glimpses of Geisha in their Kimonos. Among many old and traditional events, this activity stands out as being both new and large.
The five-thousand voice rendition of Beethoven's 9TH Symphony at Kokugikan
was started to celebrate the return of the Kokugikan to Tokyo. Absolutely
anybody can take part and add their voice to the chorus. You'll be surprised
at the scale of the choir for everyone from children to geisha.
|
 |
|
March
Bokutei Cherry Blossom Festival
From the end of March till the beginning of April when the blossoms are in full bloom, the festival is held. About 500 cherry trees are planted along a 1.5 km stretch of the Sumida River. Along the bank walk you can see many food stalls and even the teahouse served by geisha. A variety of events, such as Japanese folk song singing, street performance, Japanese drum performance and rice cake making are also done.
The cherry blossom is a national flower of Japan. Nearly 100 cherry trees out of 500 along the Sumida River were originally planted by the command of a Tokugawa General during the Edo period. Admiring it was one of the year's biggest events for the people of Edo. Many people gather with family or friends to watch the beautiful sight. This custom of watching flower blossoms is a traditional part of Japan. People lay mats under the cherry trees, eating Hanami lunches, drinking lots of sake, sing and dance all through the night. Lately Karaoke(accompaniment machine) has become very popular.
During cherry trees in bloom tens of thousands of people come to enjoy the festival year after year.
The Bokutei is located within 10-min. walk from Narihirabashi Station on the Keisei Line or Honjo Azumabashi Station on the Asakusa Line. You may also cross the Sakurabashi Bridge near Asakusa Station of the Ginza Line and the Asakusa Line.
≪Sakuramochi and Kototoidango≫
Along with the flower watching at the Sumida River the Sakuramochi and Kototoidango are also famous. If you are in the area, you should try this special taste. Sakuramochi is a traditional rice cake wrapped in a cherry leaf. Kototoidango is very popular because of its not too sweet flavor.
|
   |
|
April
Regatta
Held in the middle of April, is a boat race between Waseda University and Keio University, which starts from Ryogoku bridge and terminates at Sakura bridge.
|
 |
|
May
Bonden Festival, Shirahige shrine
A "bonden" is a paper charm attached to a piece of green bamboo. Its purpose is to call on a deity. On May 5, people place "bonden" on boats to pray for the prevention of disaster and disease on the river. Small bonden are distributed to the townsfolk as amulets to prevent disease.
Shirahige shrine is located within 15-min. walk from Higashi-Mukojima or Hikifune Station on the Tobu Line.
|
|
|
June
Great Shirahige shrine Festival
This festival is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of June. As part of this festival, a ritual Aori lion's mask dance has been resurrected in recent years. Many people come to enjoy this traditional festival. The main festival, featuring large portable shrines, is held every three years. This year 2007 falls on it.
|
  |
|
July
Sumida River Fireworks
Famous for Japan's largest fireworks display, are held on the final Saturday of July. They are held between the Umayabashi Bridge and the Komagatabashi Bridge and between the Kototoibashi Bridge and the Sakurabashi Bridge over the Sumida River, from 7:10 to 8:30 p.m. Shooting off nearly 20,000 explosions, competitions for the most beautiful displays are held.
The fireworks originated from the traditional Ryogoku fireworks in the Edo period and were revived in 1978 as the Sumida River fireworks, with a fireworks contest having been held since 1982. This, Japan's most beautiful summertime fireworks display, regularly draws about one million spectators.
For details, please see the Sumida River Fireworks.
|
   |
|
August
The cool of the Evening at Ryogoku
At the beginning of August, the former Yasuda Garden is opened for weekend evening.
In the garden with a tidal pond, visitors can enjoy Japanese tea while listening to trio sound of Japanese harps, shamisens and bamboo clarinets, and also haiku (seventeen-syllabled poem) readings. The experience surely tempers the summer heat.
The former Yasuda Garden is located within 5-min. walk from Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line or Oedo Line.
Kawachido Bon Dance Festival
This Bon Dance Festival is held the last 2 days of August every year, at the ground behind Marui at the South side of the Kinshicho station. The enthusiastic and free rhythm gathers about 10 thousand people every year. To enjoy a true authentic atmosphere, they invite hosts from Kawachi Osaka to help in leading the dance activities.
|
 |
|
September
Great Ushijima Festival
Known as the shrine of the ox, the Ushijima Shrinetival, held on the 15th of September, is one of the biggest among the traditional festivals in Sumida City.
Many people come out to enjoy the parade of ox-driven wagons, especially for the larger festivals every five years which falls on this year 2007. The main attraction of this festival is of course, Mikoshi (portable shrine). Scores of people in the same happi coat, carry Mikoshi on their shoulders, shouting together as they parade through the town. The scale of this festival is on a par with that of the Sanja Festival at Asakusa.
The Ushijima Shrine is 5-min. walk from Narihirabashi Station on the Keisei Line, or Honjoazumabashi Station on the Asakusa Line.
Havest Moon Viewing
Every month, the night of the 15th is called, Jugoya, as there is a beautiful full moon. In particular, the Jugoya of September in Japan is called Chushunomeigetsu (the Harvest Moon). Japanese put out flowers of pampas grass and give offerings of Tsukimidango (dumpling) with autumn fruits, and view the moon admiringly. During the Harvest Moon, the Mukojima Hyakka-en holds moon viewing events.
Hyakka-en is located within a 5-min. walk from Higashi-Mukojima station on the Tobu Line.
|
   |
|
October
Sumida Festival
This festival is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of October. Many events, including exhibits, a bazaar, Japanes drum performance and a "Miss Sumida" contest, are held at the Kinshi Park. A special event is always planned according to the theme for the year.
The Kinshi Park is located within 3-min. walk from the north exit of Kinshicho Station on the JR Sobu Line or the Hanzomon Line.
|
  |
|
November
Akiba Shrine Fire Extinguishing Festival
This festival is held at Akiba Shrine on the 17th and 18th of November. The shrine is located within a 5-min. walk from the Hikifune Station on the Tobu Line.
|
|
|
December
Gishi Festival, Kira Festival, Genroku Fair
"Chushingura" is the most favorite tales of loyalty and revenge with Japanese people, and has been retold many times in the play and movies.
The forty-seven faithful retainers(Gishi) of Lord Asano plotted revenge in secret and made night raid upon Lord Kira's house(located at present-day Honjo Matsuzaka-cho Park) in Genroku 15(1703).
These festivals are annually held to calm the soul of the dead at this historical event aroud 14th of December when the night raid was made. Along the streets leading to the Honjo Matsuzaka-cho Park, many apparel & food stalls are lined up to draw a lot of visitors from in and out of Tokyo.
|
  |
|
|
