Tokyo Calendar and Events

INTRODUCTION

Many of Tokyo's festivals, drawn from ancient roots, are scheduled according to the lunar calendar. That many of these celebrations are religious in origin should not discourage visitors from experiencing and enjoying them. Although many of Japan's holidays remain fixed from year to year, some are subject to change and should be confirmed.

If you're dialing the Tokyo phone numbers listed below from outside Japan, you must first dial your country's international access code, then Japan's country code, 81, then Tokyo's city code, 3.

The 24-hour Teletourist Service provides a weekly taped message (in English) about events taking place in Tokyo. Phone 3201-2911.

Information in this calendar is subject to change and should be confirmed.

SEPTEMBER

Mid September—Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Festival. Honors the god of war, with archers displaying their skill while astride galloping horses. In Kamakura, about an hour from Tokyo on the JR Yokosuka line (depart from Tokyo Station).

15 Sep—Respect for Aged Day. Public holiday.

15-27 Sep—Opera. Puccini's Turandot. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

23 Sep—Autumnal Equinox Day. Public holiday.

28-30 Sep—Dance. "Dance Planet No. 9," a program of two contemporary dance pieces: Metamorphosis and Signs: Landmark. The Pit, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

Throughout September—Baseball. Tokyo has four professional teams, based either at the Tokyo Dome (phone 3811-2122) or the Jingu Ballpark (phone 3404-8999). The most popular team is the Yomiuri Giants, and tickets for their games sell out the day they go on sale (a month in advance). Your best bet would be to pick up a ticket for one of the less popular teams, such as the Nippon Ham Fighters or the Yakuli Swallows (which can be obtained at the stadium on the day of the game).

For advance tickets, ask your hotel's front desk or concierge or a travel agent for help. You can also buy a ticket at one of the many ticket agencies downtown, including those in many Lawson convenience stores (phone 3569-9900). Continues through late November.

OCTOBER

8 Oct—Sports Day. Public holiday.

12-18 Oct—Dance. The New National Theatre Ballet performs Romeo and Juliet. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

Mid October—Oeshiki Festival. A Buddhist festival characterized by a procession toward the Hommonji Temple. Participants carry large lanterns decorated with paper flowers.

Late October—Tokyo International Film Festival. International feature films compete for awards at this well-regarded festival. For dates and schedules, call 3563-6305. Continues through early November.

Throughout October—Baseball. Tokyo has four professional teams, based either at the Tokyo Dome (phone 3811-2122) or the Jingu Ballpark (phone 3404-8999).

The most popular team is the Yomiuri Giants, and tickets for their games sell out the day they go on sale (a month in advance). Your best bet would be to pick up a ticket for one of the less popular teams, such as the Nippon Ham Fighters or the Yakuli Swallows (which can be obtained at the stadium on the day of the game).

NOVEMBER 2001

Early November—Tokyo International Film Festival. International feature films compete for awards at this well-regarded festival. For dates and schedules, call 3563-6305. Concludes early November.

1-8 Nov—Opera. Verdi's Nabucco. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

3 Nov—Culture Day. Public holiday.

15 Nov—Shichi-go-san (Children's Day). Children ages 3, 5 and 7 are taken to shrines by their parents so that prayers may be said for good health and future blessings.

16-20 Nov—Opera. Mozart's Don Giovanni. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

23 Nov—Labor Thanksgiving Day. Public holiday.

Throughout November—Baseball. Tokyo has four professional teams, based either at the Tokyo Dome (phone 3811-2122) or the Jingu Ballpark (phone 3404-8999). The most popular team is the Yomiuri Giants, and tickets for their games sell out the day they go on sale (a month in advance).

Your best bet would be to pick up a ticket for one of the less popular teams, such as the Nippon Ham Fighters or the Yakuli Swallows (which can be obtained at the stadium on the day of the game). For advance tickets, ask your hotel's front desk or concierge or a travel agent for help. You can also buy a ticket at one of the many ticket agencies downtown, including those in many Lawson convenience stores (phone 3569-9900). Concludes late November.

DECEMBER

1, 2 Dec—Dance. "Dance Theatron No. 6," a program of two contemporary dance pieces: Shinra and Poetics of the Space. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

6-15 Dec—Opera. Verdi's Don Carlo. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

Mid December—Gishi-sai. In commemorating a famous vendetta by samurai in 1702, businessmen costumed as warriors begin a procession at Nihombashi Memmo Company (near Higashi-Nihombashi Station), cross Ryoguku Bridge, proceed to Matsuzskacho Park and end at Sengakuji Temple, where the noble samurai are buried. A memorial service takes place.

17-19 Dec—Asakusa Kannon Hagoita-ichi. This "ornamental battledore fair" takes place in the compound of the temple. In the evening, look for the brightly colored paddles used in the ancient shuttlecock game of hanetsuki; they're especially beautiful when lanterns illuminate them. Near Asakusa Station (on the orange Ginza line).

21-27 Dec—Dance. The New National Theatre Ballet performs Cinderella. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

23 Dec—Emperor's Birthday. Public holiday, and one of only two days in the year when the Imperial Palace is open to the public. (The other is 2 Jan.)

25 Dec—Christmas. Though not a public or official religious holiday, it's widely observed in Japan.

Late December—New Year Holiday Season. Tokyo is a virtual ghost town during this time. (Some businesses close as early as 23 Dec and do not reopen until the second week of January.) Continues through early January 2002.

JANUARY

Early January—Dezomeshiki. Firemen perform acrobatic tricks atop tall bamboo ladders. The parade route is along Harumi Chuo-dori (Ginza Station on the Hibiya, Ginza or Marunouchi lines).

Early January—New Year Holiday Season. Tokyo is a virtual ghost town during this time. (Some businesses close as early as 23 Dec and do not reopen until the second week of January.) Concludes early January.

Early-Mid January—Art Exhibit. The Suntory Prize is an annual display of works by prize-winning contemporary artists who are demonstrating new directions in artistic expression. The Suntory Art Museum, 2-3 Moto-Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku (Roppongi Station on the Hibiya line). Phone 3470-1073. http://www.suntory.co.jp/sma.

1 Jan—New Year's Day. Public holiday. Shinto talismans adorn the entranceways of homes, symbolizing prosperity, purity and longevity and keeping evil spirits from entering. Special foods—a broth, herring roe, black beans, dried chestnuts and seaweed—are served. Because factories are closed this day, and smoke and fumes reduced, you may get a view of Mt. Fuji from Tokyo. Throughout the week families visit shrines and temples. Everyone strives to pay debts incurred from the previous year.

2 Jan—Imperial Palace Opening. Entrance is permitted on this day (the only one besides 23 Dec, the Emperor's birthday). The royal family makes an appearance before great crowds.

14 Jan—Coming-of-Age Day. Public holiday. Young people who have turned age 20 during the preceding year are honored.

Mid January—New Year's Grand Sumo Tournament. A two-week tournament culminating in the crowning of grand champions, or yokozuna. Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku (Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu line). Phone 3623-5111.

FEBRUARY 2002

Early-Late February—Plum Blossom Viewing. Though not as famous as the cherry blossoms, these red and white flowers are the first heralds of spring. For more information about projected times and viewing sites, call 3502-1461. Continues through mid March.

4-10 Feb—Dance. The New National Theatre Ballet performs Swan Lake. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp.

11 Feb—National Foundation Day. Public holiday.

Mid February—Tokyo Marathon. Prize money for this 26-mi/42-km race through Tokyo suburbs is more than US$50,000. For information, call 5245-7085.

Mid February—Setsuban. According to the lunar calendar, this day marks the end of winter. Temples and shrines hold bean-throwing contests to scare away the devils and bad luck. Senjoji Temple, Asakusa 2-chome. Phone 3842-0181.

21-28 Feb—Opera. Massenet's Werther. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp. Continues through 2 Mar.

MARCH

Early March—Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival). On this special day for girls, traditional Japanese Hina dolls and miniature household articles are displayed in homes and at other locations throughout the city. The dolls represent the Emperor and Empress and other members of the court, dressed in ancient costume. Check The Japan Times or Tokyo Journal for locations.

Early-Mid March—Plum Blossom Viewing. Though not as famous as the cherry blossoms, these red and white flowers are the first heralds of spring. For more information about projected times and viewing sites, call 3502-1461. Concludes mid March.

1, 2 Mar—Opera. Massenet's Werther. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp. Concludes 2 Mar.

21 Mar—Vernal Equinox. Public holiday. Buddhist temples hold special services, and people pray for the souls of the departed.

26-31 Mar—Opera. Wagner's Die Walkure. Opera House, New National Theatre, 1-1-1 Honcho, Shibuya-ku (near the Hatsudai Station on the Keio line). For tickets, call 5352-9999. http://www.nntt.jac.go.jp. Continues through 7 Apr.