Aug 11, 2010 Fukugawa Hachiman Festival

This year the Fukugawa Hachiman Festival will be held from August 13th-15th.  It is held by the Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine in the Koto Ward of Tokyo.  The Fukugawa Hachiman Festival is one of the three great festivals of Edo, which includes Sanno Matsuri and Kanda Matsuri.  

Known as the mizu-kake matsuri or water-throwing festival, you will have a great time cooling down, while enjoying a traditional event during this hot summer month.  The end of the festival consists of an all day parading of 54 mikoshi or portable shrines.

The Fukugawa Hachiman Matsuri is held on the the main avenue, Eitai Dori, which is a 3 minute walk from Monzen-nakacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, a 6 minute walk from Monzen-nakacho Station on the Toei Oedo Line, or a 15 minute walk from Ecchujima Station on the JR Line.  Don't miss out on this wet and wild fun during these hot summer months.  

Aug 09, 2010 Oxfam Charity Pub Quiz at THE FooTNiK Ebisu

Held on Tuesday August 16th, 8pm at Footnik Ebisu
Free shots and food for special Shooter Questions!
... and a GRAND PRIZE!
Many question categories ... not just football!
1000 yen entry fee (proceeds to Oxfam – 383,000 yen raised so far)
Max 5 people per team
Individuals & small-team combining welcomed!

Access to the Footnik in Ebisu

Jul 26, 2010 Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival

This year, the Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival will occur on August 14. The Tokyo Bay Fireworks Festival is one of the largest fireworks show put on during this hanabi taikai season with over 12,000 fireworks lighting up the Tokyo skyline. Don't miss out on this incredible show this summer!

>>Details

Jul 26, 2010 Sumida River Fireworks

This year the Sumida River Fireworks will happen on July 31st. The Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai or Sumida River Fireworks Festival is one of the top largest fireworks events in Japan.  Don't miss out on this extremely popular event where the night skies come to life with dazzling colors from several thousand fireworks. 

>>Details

Jul 26, 2010 Save 50% or more at Tokyo Restaurants and Spas with Piku.jp

Enjoy incredible restaurant, spa and entertainment offers at Piku.jp.
The current deal, is for a popular dessert for 77% off the regular price!!
Visit Piku.jp to purchase your Pikuwari ticket.
The site is currently in Japanese-only.  English inquiries and questions can be sent via the Piku contact us form.

Jul 13, 2010 New listing - 148 Hiroo

148 Hiroo has become the restaurant that gourmands and wine lovers visit regularly, attracted by the imaginative dishes created with seasonal ingredients from Australia, and the tremendous selection of fine and rare wines. The eclectic menu as well as the restaurant's spirit stems from its creative founder, owner/chef Marcus Yip, who draws on the multicultural heritage of his family and homeland (Australia of course!) to offer enticing Australian and fusion-styled dishes.

» Details

Jul 13, 2010 Save 50% or more at Tokyo Restaurants and Spas with Piku.jp

Enjoy incredible restaurant, spa and entertainment offers at Piku.jp.
The current deal, is for a popular massage service for 70% off the regular price!!
Visit Piku.jp to purchase your Pikuwari ticket.
The site is currently in Japanese-only.  English inquiries and questions can be sent via the Piku contact us form.

Jul 13, 2010 Kagurazaka Matsuri Festival

The town of Kagurazaka, known for its nostalgic old Japan atmosphere, comes to life at night during the Kagurazaka Matsuri with lines of Awa Odori dancers parading the streets and bystanders enjoying the street stand food and drinks. The Bishamonten Zenkokuji Temple is lit at night during the hozuki-ichi or Chinese Lantern Fair where you can enjoy cold drinks at the beer garden.

This year, the matsuri will be held from July 21st to the 24th.

July 21-22: Chinese Lantern Fair

July 23-24: Awa Odori Dance Parade

Jul 13, 2010 Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

About a million spectators gather to watch this lively festival consisting of decorated 1-ton floats being raced through the streets. These floats or yamakasa are built from the 10th to the 14th, and culminates to the exciting race on the 15th. Join this cultural event, and watch as the yamakasa are raced on a 5km course in Fukuoka.

This year, the festival will occur from July 1st to the 15th. Don't miss out on this exciting summer matsuri!

>>Details

Jul 08, 2010 Oxfam Charity Pub Quiz at THE FooTNiK Ebisu

Held on Tuesday July 20th, 8pm start at Footnik Ebisu

Free shots and scotch eggs for special Shooter Questions!
Complimentary Scotch Eggs supplied by John's Kitchen
Many question categories ... not just football!

1000 yen entry fee (proceeds to Oxfam – 345,000 yen raised so far)
Max 5 people per team
Individuals & small-team combining welcomed!

Access to the Footnik in Ebisu

Jun 22, 2010 New listing - Hayato New York Tokyo

Hayato New York Tokyo is a Tokyo-based hair salon which offers exceptional hair techniques and modern looks for all hair types. The owner, Hayato, has spent over 12 years developing a training program for his staff which is comprised of 2 years on-the-job at the New York or the London branch. Through the system, all of the employees are able to provide services in English and satisfying results for customers of all nationalities. The salon also offers REDKEN hair color (directly imported from USA), which all staff members has been trained by the professional colorists in New York.

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Jun 10, 2010 Otaue Rice Planting Festival

Relive one of Japan's most sacred and culturally deeply rooted tradition of rice planting in Osaka on June 14. Watch as the villagers till the rice paddy by oxen and plant the rice seedlings that are carefully carried to the fields. Processions of samurais and people dressed in traditional Japanese clothing is a great Japanese kodak moment! Dances are also performed as prayers for a bountiful harvest.

For details on this festival visit this link.

Jun 03, 2010 Tsukiji Shishi Festival

The Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri or Lion Festival is held in the world famous Tsukiji area.  This year the Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri will start from June 10th - 13th.  The Namiyoke Inari Shrine is known to offer prayers for safety and protection from disasters and bad luck.  Residents celebrate the gods of the shrine, the dragon who controls the clouds, a tiger for the wind, and a huge head of a shishi lion who's roar is known to calm down anything or anybody.  Come and join in the celebration!

Visit the link for information in Japanese.

Jun 03, 2010 Sanno Matsuri Festival

Sanno Matsuri is one of the three greatest Shinto festivals in Tokyo that occur every other year (on even numbered years).  This year, the festival will be held from June 7th - 17th.  The main event is the Jinkosai or the procession of over 500 various floats and  mikoshi (portable shrines).  

This year, the Jinkosai will be held on June 11, from 8am - 5pm at the Hie Shrine.  

Visit the Hie Jinja page for details and access to the shrine.

Jun 03, 2010 Torigoe Shrine Grand Festival

This year, the Torigoe Shrine Grand Festival will be held from June 5th to June 6th. Go in the evening and view its huge portable shrine; at 3.75 tons apparantly the heaviest in Tokyo.  Six of these mikoshi decorated with lit lanterns are carried by 150 to 200 people and paraded throughout the streets and around 8pm on the 5th.  Enjoy this exhilarating, cultural event while enjoying matsuri food and drinks from the 300 open-air stalls lining the streets.    

Access - Torigoes Jinja Shrine (JR Asakusabashi Station)