Families Gather for Shinjuku's Community Cultural Festival Finale: Joyful Art on Kagurazaka’s Historic Slope
On Sunday, November 3, the "Kagurazaka Machi-Tobi Festa 2024," a community cultural festival held in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, came to an end. This three-week-long event ran from October 12 to November 3. On the final day, the annual "Saka ni Oekaki" event, where participants draw on the famous Kagurazaka slope, brought in crowds of families.
The 'Saka ni Oekaki' event invites anyone to freely paint on large sheets laid along Kagurazaka Street, which was initially constructed in 1636 by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo shogunate, as Onari-dori (Shogun Street). This activity is especially popular with children, who joyfully cover the sheets with colorful paint, even smudging their hands and clothes in the process.
Why do children love drawing in Kagurazaka? Quite simply, they enjoy expressing themselves freely on such a large canvas. Seeing the children’s creativity flow across Kagurazaka fills your heart with warmth.
A Perfect Finale: Music, Parades, and Traditional Arts at Kagurazaka Machi-Tobi Festa
The festival’s final day also featured a parade by the Tokyo Fire Department Band, Japan’s first fire brigade band, the "First-Time Experience at Yarai Noh Theater" open house I posted about yesterday, and the "Kagurazaka Happy Sax Ensemble Concert," among other music and traditional arts programs. Blessed with clear skies, the final day of the Kagurazaka Machi-Tobi Festa was the perfect conclusion to this community event.
Upcoming Event: Discover Fukui’s Rich Culture in Kagurazaka – Historical Ties and Local Flavors
The next big event in Kagurazaka will be "Doon to Fukui in Kagurazaka: Echizen and Wakasa Festival 2024," on November 23 (Saturday) from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and November 24 (Sunday) from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It will showcase Fukui Prefecture, featuring Echizen and Wakasa specialties, local food lunches, performances, quiz rallies, and more.
The connection between Kagurazaka and Fukui Prefecture goes back to the Edo period (1603-1868). Kagurazaka Street was built by Tokugawa Iemitsu as his commuting route from Edo Castle to the residence of Sakai Tadakatsu, who served as the shogunate’s second-in-command and was lord of the Wakasa Obama Domain.
Personally, Fukui Prefecture holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where my grandparents were born and where my ancestors lived for many years. Many of my relatives still live in Fukui to this day.
Enhance Your Experience at the Echizen and Wakasa Festival with a Guided Tour of Kagurazaka’s Hidden Charms
I hope you’ll visit the "Doon to Fukui in Kagurazaka: Echizen and Wakasa Festival 2024." It’s a wonderful event, especially when combined with our guided tours, such as a Kagurazaka walking tour or Kagurazaka izakaya hopping experience. Kagurazaka reveals its true charm through its narrow streets, local izakayas, and hidden gems in Tokyo.
Without a guide, you may only get lost and miss its unique allure. When you’re in Tokyo’s hidden gem, Kagurazaka, I highly recommend hiring a guide who knows the area well. Like many of our past guests, I’m sure you’ll leave saying, "This was the best part of my trip to Japan."
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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