The main street of Kagurazaka during the day is reserved for pedestrians and has a completely different atmosphere from the nighttime. It is visited by many young people, families and international visitors. From its two biggest landmarks, Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple and Akagi-jinja Shrine, to the stone-paved alleys and the parks, the entire city of Kagurazaka turns into a stage of traditional performing arts.
*For details of the Eve please click here.
Lecture fields set up in the precincts of shrines and temples in the old days where people gathered for various information will be recreated in Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple. Traditional storytelling performances will he offered here such as Kodan by young performers, Biwa-gatari accompanied by Japanese lute, Joruri (Gidayu) and Rokyoku recited with the sound of Shamisen three-string guitar. Beginner-friendly words and programs are carefully selected for all guests to fully understand the stories.
Date / Time
Sunday, November 11 2018, 11:30-16:30
*Approximate performing time
Venue
Special stage at Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple
Admission
Free
Performers
Takemoto Koshikou & Tsuruzawa Kanya (Gidayu-bushi)
Kanda Riei (“Kodan” storytelling)
Biwa Duo (“Satsuma biwa” Four or five-stringed Japanese lute)
Tamagawa Nanafuku & Sawamura Toyoko (Rokyoku)
Host
Ishii Yokichi (an owner of Sukeroku store)
Various traditional performing artists will greet you at three performing locations set up in Kagurazaka Avenue. Breathtaking acrobats and intriguing music will entertain guests from all generations. Come meet talented groups that create the fusion of classic and modern styles as well as prestigious artists who pass the Edo-Period tradition on to the present.
Date / Time
Sunday, November 11 2018, 12:10-16:30
*Approximate performing time
Venue
Kagurazaka area (“Shimakin”, Kagurazaka-ue Intersection and “Park Luxe Kagurazaka”, “Pocket park” patio)
Admission
Free
Performers
Wakajishikai（“Hogaku-Bayashi” Japanese traditional percussion）
Yurara (“Gagaku” ancient court music)
Seshami Street Boys (Tsugaru Shamisen)
Maruichi Senoh Troupe (“Edo-Daikagura” Japanese traditional juggling and lion dance)
Otawa Masaki (“Taiko” Japanese drum) & Oyama Yutaka (Tsugaru Shamisen)
Koibumi by Ito Erina (“Sou” Japanese harp) & Tsujimoto Yoshimi (“Shakuhachi” bamboo flute)
GMQ (“Shakuhachi” bamboo flute)
Kyu-ren-ja (“Kokyu” Japanese fiddle)
Fujiyama Taiju（“Tezuma” Japanese classical magic）
Wander into the stone-paved back alleys and you will be greeted by the sound of Shamisen played by strolling musicians. A stylish Shinnai Nagashi troupe led by Tsuruga Wakasanojo, the headmaster of the Shinnai school and a living national treasure who lives in Kagurazaka, will fill the streets with an elegant and melancholic melody.
【Shinnai Nagashi】
Date / Time
Sunday, November 11 2018, 12:30-13:00, 14:00-14:30, 15:30-16:00
*Approximate performing time
Venue
Streets of Kagurazaka (Starting from Jinai Park)
Admission
Free
Performers
Tsuruga Wakasanojo shamisen Troupe (“Shinnai-bushi” music)
【Johana Hikiyama Festival <”Iori Uta”>】
Date / Time
Sunday, November 11 2018, 12:00-12:40 / 13:10-13:50 / 14:20-15:00
*Approximate performing time
Venue
Streets of Kagurazaka (Starting from Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple)
Admission
Free
Performers
Houtetsu Kai (Johana Hikiyama Festival, Iori Uta)
Banquets with Geisha entertainment is one of Japan’s unique forms of hospitality. This program offers you the opportunity to enjoy songs, shamisen music and dances performed by Kagurazaka’s Geishas in their training house called Kenban, which is normally closed to the public. Participants can also try playing games that Geishas often play in banquets. English interpretation is available for non-Japanese-speaking participants.
Date / Time
Sunday, November 11
1st Performance: 13:00-14:00
2nd Performance: 14:30-15:30
*Program contents are the same in both performances.
Venue
Tokyo Kagurazaka Association – Kenban
(administration office and training place for Geishas)
Performers
Kagurazaka Geishas
Dancers: Momoko, Konatsu and Kiyono
Musicians: Mayumi (songs), Natsue and Sakurako (shamisen) and Yumie (drum)
Admission
2,500 yen per person
*Prior reservation is required (Capacity: up to 40 participants per performance)
*English brochures and consecutive interpretation are available at each performance.
*For tickets, please contact Confetti https://www.confetti-web.com/
Ticket sales starts on Monday, October 1 at 10:00
TEL: 0120-240-540 (toll free)
– Operators are available between 10:00 and 18:00 on weekdays only.
Akagi-jinja Shrine has been one of Kagurazaka’s landmarks since the Edo Period and is also known as a perfect viewing spot for the sunset. On the stage in this beautiful modern-looking shrine, energetic Edo Daikagura performances and solemn Ginei will be presented as well as Nagauta Shamisen and Hogaku-Bayashi. Do not miss the grand finale where the performers, the guests and the staff come together to close the festival.
Date / Time
Sunday, November 11, 17:00-18:00
*Approximate performing time
Venue
Akagi-jinja Shrine Kagura Hall
Admission
Free
Performers
Maruichi Senoh Troupe (“Edo-Daikagura” Japanese traditional juggling and lion dance)
Arai Ryuou (“Gin-ei”poem chanting) & Mizushima Yuiko (“Satsuma biwa” Five-stringed Japanese lute)
Yoshimura Isojiro Troupe (Nagauta shamisen) & Wakajishikai (“Hogaku-Bayashi” Japanese traditional percussion)
Host
Cyril Coppini
Collect stamps as you walk through 7 historical landmarks of Kagurazaka and learn more about the city from knowledgeable local guides welcoming you at 8 different spots along the way. At Shirogane Park checkpoint, kids and adults can enjoy nostalgic live performances of picture stories and Edo marionettes, and also play with toy building blocks. Participants who have collected all 7 stamps will be awarded limited edition Tenugui towels specially designed for this festival.
Date / Time
Sunday, November 11, 11:30-16:00
*Participants can exchange their stamps for prizes until 16:30. Prizes are limited in quantity.
Venue
[Stamp rally checkpoints]
Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple / Kosho-ji Temple / Enpuku-ji Temple
Akagi-jinja Shrine / Jinai Park / Karuko-zaka slope / Wakamiya Park
[History Guides]
Checkpoints above (apart from Akagi-jinja Shrine), Geisha-shinmichi alley and Shirogane Park
[Kids’ Square]
Shirogane Park / Jinai Park (street tricks only)
Admission
Free
*Maps / stamp collecting sheets will be distributed at each stamp rally checkpoint.
*English maps and interpretation are available at each checkpoint.
Performers
Shibuya Gagekidan (Picture cards show)
Kamijo Mitsuru (The Edo marionette group)
*Programs are subject to change or cancellation depending on circumstances. Alternative venues for a rainy weather and other information will be announced on the official website and at the festival venues.
Kagurazaka Street Stage / O-edo Tour 2018 Office (inside Koten Kukan Office)
TEL: 03-5478-8265
Sunday, November 11 2018, around 11:30-18:00
*This event will be carried out rain or shine but will be cancelled in the case of a stormy weather.
