Stylish Kagurazaka in Tokyo. Introducing 3 festivals that even first-timers can enjoy!

Kagurazaka is an area where narrow alleys with cobblestones create a charming townscape. In the past it was associated with traditional restaurants and geisha, but now it is lined with stylish cafés, French restaurants, and variety shops, making it a popular area among young people as well. Here, let’s introduce some of the festivals held in Kagurazaka. Even those who are not very familiar with Kagurazaka can enjoy these festivals, so be sure to take part.

1. Kagurazaka Festival, Part 1: Hozuki (Ground Cherry) Market

The Kagurazaka Festival is held every July along Kagurazaka-dori Street and the surrounding area. It is divided into Part 1, the Hozuki Market, and Part 2, the Awa Odori Dance Festival, each held over two days.

Part 1, the Hozuki Market, takes place in the evening. In addition to the customary sale of potted hozuki plants, you can enjoy food from stalls serving Kagurazaka gourmet specialties lined up in front of Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple. There are more than 50 stalls, so you can easily stroll around and sample local delicacies. In the temple grounds there are also events such as the Bishamonten stage and a children’s fair. Enjoy nostalgic festival games with your family like goldfish scooping, super ball scooping, and yo-yo fishing.

At Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji, a traditional ritual called “Horoku-kyu” is also performed. This is an important rite held during the midsummer Doyo period. A small unglazed earthenware plate called a “horoku” is placed on the head, and moxa is burned on top of it to ward off the summer heat and to pray for good health. Anyone can take part in this, so why not experience it along with the festival?

2. Kagurazaka Festival, Part 2: Awa Odori Dance Festival

Following Part 1, the Hozuki Market, Part 2 of the Kagurazaka Festival, the Awa Odori Dance Festival, is held. It begins with the “Children’s Awa Odori Dance Festival” by local kindergarteners and elementary school students. From the foot of Kagurazaka (Kagurazaka-shita) up to the top (Kagurazaka-ue) and on to in front of Akagi Shrine, they delight everyone with their cute dancing.

Next comes the adults’ “Awa Odori Dance Festival.” Here, more than 20 dance troupes (ren) from local volunteer groups, nearby companies, Koenji, and other areas dance their way through Kagurazaka. There are two venues: the “Kagurazaka-dori Venue,” where the dancers go up Kagurazaka-dori from the bottom to the top, and the “6-chome Venue,” where they head from in front of Akagi Shrine toward Kagurazaka-ue. At both, you can enjoy energetic dancing. It is a festival that becomes very lively every year. Be sure to go and have fun!

3. Oedo Meguri

Oedo Meguri is an event held every year in Kagurazaka around mid-November. It is a large-scale event that sends various Japanese regional performing arts out into the world from Kagurazaka, and it is already bustling from the eve of the festival.

At the eve of the festival, you can enjoy live classical performances by artists connected with Kagurazaka at local shops, as well as “Shinnai-nagashi,” a strolling performing art where musicians walk through Kagurazaka’s back alleys as they perform. In addition, every year the Jōhana Hikiyama Festival from Toyama Prefecture, boasting 300 years of history, brings its iori-uta ritual songs to parade through the streets.

At the main festival, a stage set up in the grounds of Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji features storytelling by up-and-coming kodan storytellers, as well as biwa narrative performances and joruri chanting. You can also enjoy street-corner live performances of traditional arts, an evening live show at Akagi Shrine, and even experience “ozashiki asobi” party games together with geisha. Oedo Meguri is a fun festival that involves the whole town. Be sure to join in.

◎ Summary

The Kagurazaka festivals introduced here are ones that even people who have never been to Kagurazaka can enjoy. If it’s your first time, it’s a good idea to join the “Kagurazaka Tour” held during the Kagurazaka Festival and wander around the back alleys. At Oedo Meguri, you can fully savor a nostalgic atmosphere that feels like you’ve slipped back in time to old Kagurazaka, and it is reputed to be a very enjoyable festival. Be sure to pay a visit!

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Stylish Kagurazaka in Tokyo. Introducing 3 festivals that even first-timers can enjoy!