Events in Tokyo のアーカイブ

A limited-time planetarium is on in Roppongi Hills.  This is not an ordinari planetarium.  There is no dome-ceiling, no seat, and though the vision is 3D, no special glasses are necessary.  This ‘Sky Planetarium’ is where  you walk through outer space!

In the 1st zone, you will see the sky of Roppongi.  On the floor is the miniature model of Tokyo, and on the surrounding screen is the starry sky.  Few stars are seen in Tokyo because of the dazzling city lights, but here, we will see numerous stars, even the ones which cannot be seen by the naked eye.

In the 2nd zone is the 3D night sky.  Normally, we only see stars from our Earth, but in this room, we can see the stars from the viewpoint of outerspace.  The constellations look nothing like what it is from Earth!

In the 3rd, and last zone, we will be taken to the farthest edge of outer space.  First, we are in Japan.  As the vision sooms out, we see the Earth, the Solar System, galaxy, zoom out more and more, and we arrive at the uttermost end of the space.

To get a vision of the real space, a 20 meters above the planetarium is the sky deck of Roppongi Hills.  You can see the sky on gross, and there are rental telescopes.  On weekends, astronomical observations with the guide of an astronomer are held.

Winter is the best season to look on the sky, for the air is very clear.  Surely this event will add a touch of color to your night in Roppongi.

Sky Planetarium
Location: Roppongi Hills 52F
Period: Nov.26-Feb.13
Open Hours: 11:00-22:00 (-23:00 on Fri, Sat)
Website: http://www.sky-planetarium.com/top.html (Jap)

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
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If you stroll into an Izakaya (Japanese style pub) in the year’s end, you will be told that all the tables are taken, with high probability.  In December, many Izakaya and restaurants are likely to be the most crowded throughout the year.  One reason for this might be Christmas celebration, but there is a far larger reason, Bonenkai.

Bonenkai (忘年会) literally means ‘forget-the-year-gathering’.  It is held to drink, eat, and forget all the bad things occurred in the going year.
Some Bonenkai are done to gather with personal friends, but most of them are held among work-related communities.  For some Japanese companies, Bonenkai is an official event.

Well, it is not that the Japanese people are so depressed, and cannot get along without forgetting everything.  It is just that people are always looking for an excuse to gather up and drink, and this must be common among many countries

Also, in the new year, Shinnenkai (新年会, new-year-gathering) would be held.  If you are to have a meet up at an Izakaya during this season, an early reservation is a must!

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

If you have recently walking around Tokyo, you may have seen little boys and girls (and sometimes their parents) dressed up in beautiful Kimono.  This is for a celebration for children, Shichi-go-san (七五三), held around November 15th.
Shichi-go-san means ’seven-five-three’.  It is called this way because it is a ceremony for 3 and 5 year old girls, and 3 and 7 year old boys, to celebrate their growth and health.  The ages 3, 5 and 7 are consistent with Japanese numerology, which dictates that odd numbers are lucky.

Shichi-go-san is said to have originated in the Heian period (794-1185) among court nobles, to celebrate the passage of their children into middle childhood.
Over time, this tradition passed to the Samurai class.  They added some rite to this celebration.  The rites are:

Kamioki (髪置) - Children were allowed to grow their hair from the age of 3 (up until, children were required by custom to have shaven heads).
Hakamagi (袴着) - Boys of age 5 could wear Hakama (袴, Japanese formal male skirt) for the first time.
Obitoki (帯解) - Girls of age 7 replaced the simple cords they used to tie their Kimono with the traditional Obi (sash).

By the Meiji period (1868-1915), the practice was adopted amongst commoners as well, and included the modern ritual of visiting a Shrine to drive out evil spirits and wish for a long healthy life.

This visit to the Shrine is on November 15th, though this day of visit is not determined so strictly.  This date was chosen because the 15th every month was thought to Kishuku (鬼宿, the day when evil spirits do not come out) in the old calender.  Also, November was the month of thanks giving, to be grateful to the Gods.

If you’ve seen the children holding a long, thin bag, that is Chitoseame (千歳飴), literally ‘millenium candy’.  This candy is made very long, with a wish for the children to enjoy a long life, even 1000 years!  Chitoseame is usually colored white and red (or pink), the 2 colors thought to be auspicious in Japan.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
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HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Togo Shrine (東郷神社) is a Shinto shrine located in Harajuku, Tokyo.  It was built in 1940 and dedicated to Admiral Togo Heihachiro (東郷平八郎) after his death in 1934.
Togo is one of the best naval heroes in Japan, who defeated the Russian fleet in the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05.  He was termed ‘Nelson of the East’ by Western journalists.
A small museum and a bookshop dedicated to Tōgō Heihachirō are located within the grounds of the shrine.

On the 1st and 4th Sunday each month, one of Tokyo’s best flea markets with upwards of 100 vendors are held at the shrine.  Rare finds include inexpensive silk kimonos.
Unfortunately, this flea market will be closed down.  The last market will be on Dec.6.  Not many days are left, don’t miss it!

Togo Shrine
Location: Harajuku, near the intersection of Takeshita Street (竹下通り) and Meiji Avenue (明治通り).
Website: http://www.togo.co.jp/togo_top.html (Jap)

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Chrysanthemum is the national flower of Japan.  This flower was already popular in the 10th century, when many songs about chrysanthemum were made.  It became the Imperial flower in the 12th century, and it still is today.  You will see marks of chrysanthemum on many of the belongings to the Imperial family.

Breed improvement was being made throughout the history of Japan.  To show the beauty and variety of chrysanthemum, many exhibitions of chrysanthemum are held in autumn.
Below are some of the famous exhibitions.

Chrysanthemum of the Imperial Family
Location: Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑)
Date: Nov.1-15

Asakusa Chrysanthemum Exhibition
Location: Asakusa
Date: Oct.15-Nov.15

Yasukuni Chrysanthemum Exhibition
Location: Yasukuni Shrine
Date: Oct.16-Nov.5

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
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Sensoji Temple (浅草寺) is the oldest temple in Tokyo, always crowded with worshippers and tourists.

The birth of Sensoji was in A.D. 628, when the Hinokuma brothers found a pagod at the river.  The temple kept expanding throughout the Middle and Modern Ages, but the main hall, the five-story tower, and other facilities were burnt down during WW2.
The temple was rebuilt during the 1950s-60s.  The rebuilding united the behavers closer than ever, and afterwards, dance performances dedicated to the temple were started by local behavers.
These dances are still performed every November 3rd.  There will be dances of egret, gold dragon, and the Seven Gods.

Sensoji Temple will be crowded than ever on this day, but the beauty of the performance is worth getting mobbed

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

At the open space of Tokyo International Forum, many events are held, such as flea markets and musical performances.  There are many food stands ,too.
On November 15th this year, there will be a event to celebrate the release of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau.

The event will start with a toast by Georges Duboeuf, a famous brewer from France, and lighting the illumination.  Live music performance by Noguchi Atsushi will be on from 19:00 too.
There will be many food stands, and of course wine, sold by bottle and glass.  For the first 100 persons, there will be a present of glass wine and cheese!

If you are fond of wine, or if you just like partying, don’t miss the event!

Beaujolais Night
Location: Tokyo International Forum
Date / Time: Nov.15 / 18:00-22:00
Website: http://www.t-i-forum.co.jp/function/news/data/2007/pickup_neoyatai.html (Jap)

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Ryōgoku Kokugikan (両国国技館), also known as Sumo Hall, is an indoor sporting arena located in Ryogoku, Tokyo, next to the Edo Tokyo Museum.
Ryogoku Kokugikan was built in 1909, led by the growing popularity of Sumo during the Meiji period.  It is the third building built in Tokyo associated with the name Kokugikan.
The current building was opened in 1985 and has a capacity of 13,000 people. It is mainly used for Sumo restling tournaments (本場所) and hosts the new year tournament (初場所) in January, the summer tournament (夏場所) in May, and the autumn tournament (秋場所) in September.
The venue is also used for other indoor events, such as boxing, pro wrestling, and music concerts.
It also houses a museum.  There are exhibitions about past and present Sumo wrestlers.

Sumo tickets can be bought online.  Tournaments are not always being held, so check out the schedule on the web site.

Nihon Sumo Kyokai Official Website
http://www.sumo.or.jp/eng/index.html (Eng)

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

The biggest event in October, especially for kids, should be Halloween.
Unfortunately, the custom of trick-or-treating is not widespread in Japan, but still there are ways to enjoy the event.
One is going to Tokyo Disney Land : Halloween events are on from Sep.9 to Oct. 31.

If you are to enjoy Halloween in the urban area, there is a parade in Harajuku and Omotesando.
This parade is for costumed children under age 12, including trick-or-treating, and other attractions.  Characters will be in the parade too!
There are also special halloween menus in the commercial areas.

Harajuku Omotesando Hello Halloween
Date/Time: Oct.24（Sun）11：00～17：00
Website: http://www.harajuku-halloween.com/ (Jap)
Note: Ticket (pay) required to participate

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Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/

Every year in October, a festival is held in Aoyama.  The festival lasts for 20 days, and various events take place.
Below are some of the main events, but there are more, so check out the calendar on the official web site, and visit Aoyama on the day the event you are interested is held.

Parade
Parade of the military band of US Army, eco-car of Honda, etc.
Date/Time: Oct. 17 (Sun)/PM1:00 Opening ceremony, PM2:00 Parade starts
Area: from Honda Aoyama Building to Aoyama Gakuin University

Bossa Aoyama 2010
Performance by Japanese and Brazilian Bossa artists.
Date/Time: Oct. 23（Sat）~24（Sun）/AM11:00~PM6:00
Area: Harajuku Church Oracle Sky Lobby, AOYAMA Francfranc

Happy Halloween
Trick or Treating for kids 6th grade and under.
Date/Time: Oct. 29（Fri）/PM 4:00～PM 6:00
Area: 50 shops in Aoyama

For more information, please refer the official website.

–
Higherground Co.,Ltd.
2-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
TEL:03-6459-2230
MAIL:info@higherground.co.jp
HP:http://www.higherground.co.jp/
TOP PAGE: http://livingtokyo.net/