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
Prigrimage Tour of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin) 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. Among them the Sumida River Shichifukujin is one
of the most famous and legend-rich. The Prigrimage Tour of Shichifukujin
originated in Bunka Era(1804) and is customary for many New Year well wishers
visiting the shrines along the course to pray for happiness throughout
the year. For details, please see the Shichifukujin.
New Year's Grand Sumo Tournament
In Ryogoku, Sumo Town, the New Year begins with colorful banners bearing wrestlers' names and with the beating drums announcing the upcoming Sumo tournament.
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February
The City of Sumida and Beethoven's 9TH Symphony
At the Kokugikan Arena 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 Arena was started to celebrate the return of the Kokugikan to Ryogoku. 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
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March
Spring Grand Memorial Service
At Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in March 10, the memorial service is held for the more than 100,000 people who died by the air raids over Tokyo during World WarⅡ. Many people pray for peace on this day.
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 Yoshimune 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.
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April
Regatta
Held in the middle of April, is as one of the most traditional boat race
between Waseda University and Keio University, which starts from Ryogoku
bridge and terminates at Sakura bridge over the Sumida River.
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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.
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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.
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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 2007 Sumida River Fireworks.
A date has been set for Tokyo’s seasonal tradition - the Sumida River Fireworks
festival, without which the summer of the metropolis would never be complete.
Date: July 28th (Saturday)* Time: 7:10PM to 8:30PM *In case of inclement
weather, to be postponed to July 29. This year will mark the festival’s
30th anniversary and will be commemorated by an additional 2,000 fireworks,
setting off as many as 22,000 of them into the night sky. Various other
commemorative events are also under planning. |
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August
Water Fair/Regatta
Between Azumabashi Bridge and Shirahigebashi Bridge, is held early August. The main attractions include an inter-collegiate race competition by eight-man crew and other boat races for adults and junior high school students.
The cool of a Summer 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.
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September
Great Ushijima Festival
Known as the shrine of the ox, the Ushijima Shrine, 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 once 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.
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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.
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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.
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December
Gishi Festival, Kira Festival, Genroku-ichi Fair
"Chushingura" is the most favorite tales of loyalty and revenge with Japanese people, and has been retold many times in the plays and movies.
The forty-seven faithful retainers(Gishi) of Lord Asano plotted in secret the revenge for
their master's death and made night raid upon Lord Kira's residence on the 14th of December in Genroku 15(1703). The "Gishi Festival" is held to commemorate the day at Honjo Matsuzaka-cho Park, the former residence of Lord Kira.
The Kira Festival and Genroku-ichi Fair are held to calm the soul of the dead as well as Lord Kira at this historical event on the second weekend in December in the vicinity of Honjo Matsuzaka-cho Park. Along the streets leading to the Park, many apparel & food stalls are lined up to draw a lot of visitors from in and out of Tokyo. The events are harbinger of the end of the year.
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