Kurayami Matsuri (Black Night Festival) of Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu on the outskirts of Tokyo.On the 3rd, Komakurabe (a demonstration of horseback riding) is held on Keyaki-namiki Streetfrom 8 pm (lasting for about 20 minutes). On the 4th, twenty-four Dashi (floats) are drawn throughthe streets in the city from 6 pm to 9 pm. On the 5th, a parade of eight Mikoshi (portable shrines),some of which weighing as much as a ton each, leaves the Shrine at 6 pm for Otabisho (portableshrine resting place) to arrive there at around 9 pm. And then, Yabusame (horseback archery) isheld from 10:30 pm.

(Photo from http://www.ookunitamajinja.or.jp/matsuri/kurayami.html)

Access
(1) The Keio Line to Fuchu Sta., and then walk 5 min.
(2) The JR Nambu or Musashino Line to Fuchu-Hommachi Sta., and then walk 5 min.

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.

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.

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.

(Photo from 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

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 Yen. When it rains between Apr. 8th and 12th, the garden will be closed. http://www.nedujinja.or.jp/tutuji/t.html

(Photo from http://www.city.bunkyo.lg.jp/visitor_kanko_event_tutuji.html)
Note:
The festival period varies depending on azalea flowering.

Access:
The Chiyoda Subway Line to Nezu Sta. (C 14)

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.

(Photo from: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/news_detail.php?article_id=0097)

Access:
The Tozai, Hanzomon or Toei Shinjuku Subway Line to Kudanshita Sta. (T 07, Z 06, S 05)

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.

Photo from: http://www.zojoji.or.jp/event/ev_gyokidaie.html

Access:
The Toei Mita Subway Line to Onarimon Sta. (I 06) or Shibakoen Sta. (I 05), and then walk 3 min.

Tokyo International Anime (animation) Fair 2013 is held at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba. The fair is the world’s largest in scale of this kind and brings together anime-related Japanese and overseas companies. The fair is open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm (enter by 5:30 pm) on the 23rd and 24th. Ticket costs 1,000 Yen at the venue on the day. (Advance ticket 800 Yen, is available at LAWSON and MINI STOP, and ANIMATE stores until Mar. 22nd.)

Photo from official website: http://www.tokyoanime.jp/en

Access:
(1) The Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi Sta. to Kokusaitenjijo-seimon Sta.
(2) The Rinkai Line to Kokusaitenjijo Sta., and then walk 7 min.
(3) About 30 min. by Toei Bus from Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal to Tokyo Big Sight.

Ueno Zoo

What’s so special about this 130-year-old zoo that continues to attract adults and children from around the world? In fact, the area around Asakusa and Ueno has long been a favorite place for leisure activities since the Edo period. Especially in spring, the mesmerizing cherry blossoms around Shinobazu pond and the five-storied pagoda are a must-see.

As you step inside the zoo, giant pandas Lili and Shinshin are right there waiting for you. It is recommended to visit them first, not only because of their popularity, but also due to the fact that pandas are more active in the morning. Moreover, if you are there early enough, you may see them enjoying a feast of bamboo for breakfast or even climbing the tree! If you had an impression that animals are always lazy and sleepy in the zoo, that’s because you were there at the wrong moment. Next time try to be an early bird!

The zoo consists of 2 areas. In the East Garden you will find the Elephant Forest, Bear Hill, Lions and Tigers Forest, Monkey Mountain, Polar Bear and Seal Oceans. Walk or take a short ride by monorail to the West Garden to see the Animals of Africa, Aye-aye Forest, the Vivarium, and the Children’s Zoo. Since the animals live in an environment replicating their habitats, you get to experience the thrill of facing nose-to-nose with those amazing wildlife. Even separated by glass, the action of a lion or tiger may still frighten you a bit!

With so many unique charms, Ueno is your choice for a relaxing day in nature.

Make friends with animals at The Children’s Zoo

The Children’s Zoo features domestic animals such as sheep, goats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Here you can play with them, accompanied by friendly staff who are ready to answer your questions about these cute creatures. Even timid children will soon be fascinated by the animals, so a happy family time is guaranteed! In the zoo you will find many baby animals such as the naughty polar bear, the clingy gorilla, and monkey babies. If you want to make the most of your visit, information on animals are provided free of charge via a mobile terminal. 

Meet the one and only in Japan

 “Using a live video to show bears in hibernation is the first attempt in the world”, said Mr. Matsuyama, the marketing manager of Ueno Zoo. Even the Monkey Mountain is the first one in Japan. Moreover, Ueno Zoo is the only place in Japan to see Aye-aye, a primate native to Madagascar, and the only place in the world to see all of the three most peculiar animals: A giant Panda, an Okapi, and a Pygmy hippopotamus. With so many special characters and exclusivities, Ueno Zoo, “the city oasis”, is not to be missed!

Information

Hours: 9:30~17:00, ticket office closes at 16:00 (Closed on Mondays and New Year holidays)
Address: 9-83, Ueno Park, Taito-ku
Admission: Adults (16-64) 600 yen / Seniors (65+) 300 yen / Students (13-15) 200 yen / Children (0-12) Free
*The admission is free on March 20 (Ueno Zoo’s Anniversary Day), May 4 (Greenery Day), and October 1 (Tokyo Citizens’ Day).
Access: 5min walk from JR Ueno station; 10min walk from Keisei Ueno station; 12min walk from Tokyo Metro Ueno station (Ginza line and Hibiya line).
URL: http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/index.html (available in 9 languages)

Kenkoku Kinen-no-hi Hoshuku Parade is held in celebration on National Foundation Day. The parade of a brass band and cars decorated with flowers starts from Meiji Park at 10 am, proceeding along Gaien-Nishi Street, Aoyama Street, and Omote-Sando Street where Mikosh i (portable shrines) join the parade, and then reaches Meiji Shrine around 12:30 pm.

Access:
(1) Meiji Park. (the starting point near Nihon Seinen-kan): The Toei Oedo Subway Line to Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Sta. (E 25), the JR Sobu Line to Sendagaya Sta. or Shinanomachi Sta.
(2) Meiji Shrine: The JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Sta., or the Chiyoda Subway Line to Meiji-Jingumae Sta. (C 03)

Photo from: http://kenkoku.web.fc2.com/parade.htm

Nihon O-Zumo Tournament, or the 37th Grand Sumo Tournament takes place at Kokugikan Hall, Sumida-ku from around 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm. (The venue is open at 11 am.) The admission tickets range from 1,000 to 14,000 Yen. The day tickets are put on sale at Kokugikan Hall on the day. For further information, please call Nihon O-Zumo Tournament Jimukyoku at 03-5530-2052 (in Japanese only).

Access:
The JR Sobu Line, or the Toei Oedo Subway Line to Ryogoku Sta. (E 12)

Setsubun, a traditional ceremony to dispel demons at the noted temples and shrines all over Japan. According to the lunar calendar, “Setsubun ” marks the last day of winter. People throng temples and shrines to vie with each other for lucky beans which are thrown by priests, monks or famous figures who shout “Fuku-wa-uchi, Oni-wa-soto !” (Fortune in, Devils out!) to drive away imaginary devils. Mamemaki, bean-throwing ceremonies are scheduled at major temples and shrines in Tokyo.

Setagaya Boro (Rag) Ichi or Flea Market on Boro Ichi-dori Street, Setagaya-ku, features many open-air stalls selling foods, clothes, potted plants, antiques and the like from 9 am to 8 pm on both days.

Access:
(1) Take a bus for Kamimachi or Seijo-Gakuen from Shibuya Sta. (South Exit), and then get off at Kamimachi Bus Stop.
(2) The Tokyu Setagaya Line to Setagaya Sta. or Kamimachi Sta.

Ome Daruma Ichi is a fair of Dharma dolls hekd at Ome, on the outskirts of Tokyo, from 1:30 pm to 7 pm. Hundreds of open-air stalls selling Daruma (Dharma dolls), foods, potted plants and the like are set up along the Kyu-Ome-Kaido street.

Access:
The JR Ome Line to Ome Sta.

Photo courtesy of Ome city tourist information
http://www.omekanko.gr.jp/