1. Published by Tourist Information Center of Japan National Tourism Organization and all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. ©2013 Japan National Tourism Organization. 2. Dates and functions are subject to change without notice. Be sure to check the latest information in advance. 3. Events marked with ◎ are the major events. 4. Dates of events marked with ◇ are the same every year. 5. Japanese explanations appearing at the bottom of each entry give the name of the event and the nearest railway station in Japanese. Point to this Japanese when you need help from a Japanese passerby. 6. Please refer to URL (basically in Japanese) for each event. 7. The Subway Lines and Station Numbers are indicated in parentheses ( ). Note: The Internet Website of Japan National Tourism Organization is available at <http://www.jnto.go.jp>. Calendar Events to be enjoyed in April 2013 TOKYO 東京 Date Mar. 23 ～ Apr. 7 Ueno Sakura Matsuri, Cherry Blossom Festival at Ueno Park, Taito-ku. 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 pm to 8 pm. Some events are scheduled around Shinobazu-no-ike Pond in the park daily during the period. Note The festival period varies depending on cherry flowering. Access The JR Yamanote Line, the Ginza or Hibiya Subway Line to Ueno Sta. (G 16, H 17) 台東区 上野公園 うえの桜まつり 最寄駅 JR山手線、地下鉄銀座線又は日比谷線上野駅 Date Mar. 22 ～ Apr. 7 Chiyoda-no-Sakura Matsuri, Cherry Blossom Festival at Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda-ku. One can enjoy a splendid view of cherry blossoms along the Chidorigafuchi path and in the precincts of Yasukuni Shrine until around 10 pm, as flowers are lit up in the evening. Note The festival period varies depending on cherry flowering. Access The Tozai, Hanzomon or Toei Shinjuku Subway Line to Kudanshita Sta. (T 07, Z 06, S 05) , and then walk about 5 min. to Yasukuni Shrine & Chidorigafuchi. 千代田区 靖国神社 千鳥ヶ淵 千代田のさくらまつり 最寄駅 地下鉄東西線、半蔵門線又は都営新宿線で九段下駅、徒歩約5分で靖国神社と千鳥ヶ淵 Date Mar. 23 ～ Apr. 7 Bokutei Sakura Matsuri, Cherry Blossom Festival at Sumida Koen Park, Sumida-ku. Some events are scheduled on Sakurabashi Bridge over the Sumida River on Saturdays and Sundays during the period. Note The festival period varies depending on cherry flowering. Access The Ginza or Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Asakusa Sta. (G 19, A 18) 墨田区 隅田公園 桜橋橋上 墨堤さくらまつり 最寄駅 銀座線又は都営浅草線浅草駅 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 1 ◇ Tanashi Daruma Ichi, Dharma Doll Fair at Tanashisan Soji-ji Temple, Tanashicho, Nishitokyo in the suburbs of Tokyo. Stalls selling Dharma dolls are set up in the temple compound from around 9 am to around 5 pm. Access 30 min. by the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Sta. to Tanashi Sta. (North Exit), and then walk 5 min. 所在地 西東京市田無町 田無山総持寺 田無だるま市 最寄駅 西武新宿駅より西武新宿線で30分、田無駅（北口）下車、徒歩5分 1 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 2 ～ Apr. 7 Gyoki, Buddhist Devotionals at Zojoji Temple, Minato-ku (near Tokyo Tower). In commemoration of Priest Honen's death, Bugaku (court dance with music) is performed at the main hall from around 12 noon to 1 pm, and Oneri-Gyoretsu , a procession including a parade of children in colorful attire takes place from 1:30 pm to 2 pm on the 5th, 6th and the 7th. When it rains, the whole events held outdoors will be canceled. Note Honen Shonin (1133-1212) : a Japanese Buddhist monk, the founder of the Jodo Sect of Japanese Buddhism. Access The Toei Mita Subway Line to Onarimon Sta. (I 06) or Shibakoen Sta. (I 05), and then walk 3 min. 所在地 港区 増上寺 御忌（ぎょき） 最寄駅 都営三田線御成門駅又は芝公園駅より徒歩3分 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 5 Hono Ozumo (a dedicatory Sumo match) at Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda-ku, features Sumo matches dedicated by some 200 Rikishi (Sumo wrestlers). The ritual starts from 9 am and the matches by Maku-shita (low-ranking) Rikishi start from around 10:40 am, and Maku-uchi (high-ranking) Rikishi including Yokozuna (grand champions) enter the ring from around 2 pm. This event is open to the first six thousand people. The admission is free of charge. Access The Tozai, Hanzomon or Toei Shinjuku Subway Line to Kudanshita Sta. (T 07, Z 06, S 05) 所在地 千代田区 靖国神社 奉納大相撲 最寄駅 東西線、半蔵門線又は都営新宿線九段下駅 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 6 ～ May 6 Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri, Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine, Bunkyo-ku. One can enjoy a view of azelea blossoms in the precincts of the Shrine. It features a parade of Mikoshi (a portable shrine) from 1 pm on the 7th, and performing arts such as Gongen-Taiko (Japanese drumming performance) and folk dance from 12 noon on the 28th, 29th, May 3rd, 4th and 5th. When it rains, the parade and performing arts will be canceled. Admission to the Azalea Garden is \200. When it rains between Apr. 8th and 12th, the garden will be closed. http://www.nedujinja.or.jp/tutuji/t.html Note The festival period varies depending on azalea flowering. Access The Chiyoda Subway Line to Nezu Sta. (C 14) 所在地 文京区 根津神社 文京つつじまつり 最寄駅 千代田線根津駅 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 14 ◇ Shirasagi-no-mai, White Heron Dance in the compound of Sensoji Temple, Taito-ku. The dance is performed in front of the main hall of Sensoji Temple twice from around 11:30 am and 3:30 pm. When it rains, the dance will be canceled. Access The Ginza or Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Asakusa Sta. (G 19, A 18) 所在地 台東区 浅草寺 白鷺の舞 最寄駅 銀座線又は都営浅草線浅草駅 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 20 ～ May 6 ◎ Fuji Matsuri, Wisteria Festival at Kameido Tenjin (or Tenmangu) Shrine, Koto-ku. There are over 100 wisteria roots in the Shrine's precincts, and they are usually in full bloom in this season. Various entertainments are scheduled during the period. http://www.kameidotenjin.or.jp/fujimatsuri/index.html Note The festival period varies depending on wisteria flowering. Access The JR Sobu Line to Kameido Sta., and then walk 15 min. 所在地 江東区 亀戸天神社(天満宮） 藤まつり 最寄駅 JR総武線亀戸駅より徒歩15分 2 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 21 ◇ Annual Spring Festival of Mt. Takao, Hachioji, features a procession of children in fancy attire, Yamabushi (mountain priests) in their traditional attire, and a corps of fife & drum. They start from near Takaosan Sta. of the cable car at 11 am for Yakuo-in Temple, and there Shishimai (lion dance) and Hashigonori (thrilling acrobatics on the ladder) by members of the old Edo Fire Brigade are performed from around 12:15 pm. Access About 1 hr. by the Keio Line from Shinjuku Sta. to Takaosan-guchi Sta. From there, 5 min. by cable car to Takaosan Sta. or 12 min. by chair lift to Sanjo Sta. (located on the top of Mt. Takao) and then walk to Jyuichi-chome Jaya. 所在地 八王子市高尾山 薬王院 高尾山春季大祭 最寄駅 新宿から京王線で約1時間 高尾山口駅より、高尾山駅までケーブルカーで5分又はリフトで12分山上駅下車、徒歩で十一丁目茶屋 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 21 Daidai Kagura, sacred Shinto music and dance to pray for a good harvest of the year, in an annual Spring Festival of Shinagawa Shrine, Shinagawa-ku. Six kinds of Daidai Kagura are presented from 2 pm to around 4 pm in the main hall of the Shrine. Access The Keihin Kyuko Line to Shin-Bamba Sta. (North Exit), and then walk 1 min. 所在地 品川区 品川神社 太々神楽 最寄駅 京浜急行新馬場駅（北口)より徒歩１分 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 21 Negi-no-Mai at Tenso Shrine, Ota-ku. Masked entertainers perform sacred dances to the tune of drum music to pray for a good harvest of the year in the precincts of the Shrine from 3 pm. When it rains, the dances will be performed indoors. Access The Tokyu Ikegami Line to Ontakesan Sta., and then walk 5 min. 所在地 大田区西嶺町 天祖神社 禰宜の舞 最寄駅 東急池上線御嶽山駅より徒歩5分 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 21 ～ Apr. 23 Annual Spring Festival of Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda-ku. Japanese traditional dance and martial arts are dedicated to the Shrine on the stage of Nohgakudo Hall daily during the festival period. Access The Tozai, Hanzomon or Toei Shinjuku Subway Line to Kudanshita Sta. (T 07, Z 06, S 05) 所在地 千代田区 靖国神社 靖国神社春季例大祭 最寄駅 地下鉄東西線、半蔵門線又は都営新宿線九段下駅 Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 29 ～ May 3 Annual Spring Festival of Meiji Shrine, Shibuya-ku. Major events held in the precincts are as follows: Bugaku (ancient court dance with music) from 11 am on Apr. 29th; Noh (classical masked drama) and Kyogen (Noh farce) from 11:45 am, and Japanese traditional music & dance from 3:45 pm on May 2nd; and Kyudo Taikai (Japanese archery meet) held at Daini-Kyudo-jo from 9 am to around 4 pm on the 3rd. Access (1) The JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Sta. (2) The Chiyoda Subway Line to Meiji-Jingumae Sta. (C 03) (3) Daini-Kyudo-jo: The Odakyu Line to Sangubashi Sta. 所在地 渋谷区 明治神宮 明治神宮春の大祭 最寄駅 (1) JR山手線原宿駅 (2) 地下鉄千代田線明治神宮前駅 (3) 第二弓道場：小田急線参宮橋駅下車 3 TOKYO 東京 Hana Matsuri 花まつり Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 1 ～ Apr. 13 Hana Matsuri, Floral Festival to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday is held at all Buddhist temples on the days centering around April 8, which is said to be Buddha's Birthday. At the temples, small images of Buddha are open to the public and Amacha (sweet tea) is poured over the images as an expression of devotion. Chigo-Gyoretsu , parades of children in fancy attire, pulling a papier-mache white elephant, a sacred animal associated with Buddha, are held at the following temples : Ｄａｔｅ Apr. 7 Hana Matsuri at Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Ota-ku. "Hana-no-sei", a parade of children pulling a papier-mache white elephant leaves Tokumochi Kaikan Hall near Ikegami Sta. at 1 pm for the temple. Access (1) The Tokyu Ikegami Line to Ikegami Sta., and then walk 10 min. (2) The Toei Asakusa Subway Line to Nishi-Magome Sta.