The center of Shitamachi (old-fashioned downtown) in Tokyo (1hour from Haneda and Narita Airport and Only 20min from Tokyo Station), Asakusa is one of few areas where visitors can enjoy the culture of the Edo period (1603-1868). The main attraction of the city is “Senso-ji” temple; one of the most popular Buddhist temples in Japan, and was built in the 7th century. The temple has been approached via a shopping street, named “Nakamise street,” (known as the oldest shopping street in Japan). The street has provided variety of traditional foods and products, and unique souvenirs for centuries towards visitors.

ASAKUSA TOURS LIST

One of the three remarkable festivals in Tokyo is Sanja festival; along with the Kanda festival and Sanno festival.
The festival is held in honor of the three persons who founded Senso-ji temple.
Since 1312, with fairly following myth concerning of the birth of Asakusa district, Sanja festival has been held on the third weekend of every May at Asakusa Shrine.
Date of the Festival >> The Third Weekend of Every May
The Venue for the Festival >> In the grounds of Sensoji Temple / Asakusa Shrine

At the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, the Japanese unique traditional event, called the Day of 46000 Blessings (Yonman-rokusen-nichi,) takes place in every 10th of July. As legend goes, if a person prays at the temple on this day, he/she would be the equivalent of 46000 days of prayers.
Plus, Hozuki Ichi (the Chinese Lantern Plant Fair) also takes place in July 9th and 10th of July at Senso-ji temple. The Hozuki plants sold here are cultivated in Shikabone-cho in Edogawa-ku, and are really wonderful.

Date of the Festival >> Every July 9th and 10th
The Venue for the Festival >> The main hall of the Sensoji temple

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is the most gorgeous firework festivals in Japan, and is held on the last Saturday in July.
The origin of the festival can be tracked back to 1793. At tat time, in Edo area (today called Tokyo), hygienic management was poorly equipped, and people died of the plague in Japan including in Asakusa area in 1792.In July of next year, the first Sumida River Fireworks Festival was held to mourn the victims.
Unlike fireworks displays in other countries, interestingly, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival follows the Japan’s traditional way of being an intense competition between rival pyrotechnic groups.
Over 1.5 million visitors come to Asakusa area for enjoying the festival annually.

Date of the Festival >> Every Late July
The Venue for the Festival >> The 1st Venue: Between Sakura Brdg., and Kototoi Brdg.
The 2nd Venue: Between Komagata Brdg., and Umaya Brdg.

The capital’s traditional “shitamachi” (old-fashioned downtown) area, Tokyo’s Asakusa district, is filled with Brazilian atmosphere for the Asakusa Samba Carnival.
The event, held annually since 1981 on the last Saturday of August, has started to revitalize the town.
The festival and parade draws more than 500,000 spectators every year. Japanese samba teams select their own themes and make their own costumes.
Unlike more rambunctious carnivals, the crowds in Japan are said to be more disciplined and calm, with many people at the family-style event taking pictures and marveling at the exotic costumes.

Date of the Festival >> Every Late August
The Venue for the Festival >> Between Uma-michi St., and Kaminari-mon St.

Annually, for only 3 days from the 17th to 19th of December, yearend-unique fair, named the Hagoita (battledore) Fair, takes place on the grounds of Senso-ji Temple with cheerful atmosphere.
A hagoita is often decorated with the figures of popular Kabuki (e.g., Sukeroku and Fuji musume) and the persons of the year including sport athletes and artists.
Around 50,000 battledores are sold in only 3 days, and is usually displayed in a house as a New Year’s ornament.
Date of the Festival >> Dec.17th - 19th
The Venue for the Festival >> In the grounds of Sensoji Temple

Located only 2 hours by rain from Tokyo’s Asakusa distrcit, Kinugawa Onsen was first found in approximately 300 years ago.
The area has been extensively developed for tourism since 1970s, and became one of the most famous and finest Onsen towns in Japan.
The name "Kinugawa" means Angry Demon River. The exact provenance is unclear, yet, the explanation is that this comes from the raging waters within most likely; the river is today dammed and considerably much more gentle.

KINUGAWA ONSEN TOURS LIST

Small Onsen town, yet, Yunishigawa Onsen is well known for the place that has many great legends and myths related to Taira clan (a.k.a., the Heike clan). Yunishigawa Onsen area has been developed with the fugitive Heike Clan since 1185. The Heike Clan battled against the Genji Clan for establishing political superiority in Japan, yet, was defeated in 1185 (very known as The Battle of Dan-no-ura). After the battle ended, many fleeing Heike warriors with their families fled into hiding in remote regions of Japan, and Yunishigawa was the one where Taira refugee found a spot to hide and built a new way of life with great Yunishigawa Onsen. It is located 1 hour ride deeper into the mountains from Kinugawa Onsen on wheels.

YUNISHIGAWA TOURS LIST

The Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival is held over a period of almost three months from mid January to late March, and hundreds of snow domes are built and illuminated by candle lights.
Visitors can enjoy fantastic beauty of scenery during winter season.
Date of the Festival >> Every Late January – Late March
The Venue for the Festival >> The banks of the Sawaguchi River (main venue)Heike Clan's Settlement Ground
KINUGAWA OSEN

Every March 3rd, Doll Festival Day or Girls' Day, the traditional Japanese festival held to wish girls both health and growth.
In Kinugawa Onsen and Kawaji Onsen areas, at about 20 hotels and facilities, colorful hina dolls, which is believed protecting girls from bad luck, are displayed during the period from on early February until late March.
Visitors can enjoy seeing a variety of hina dolls including valuable antique one which were made in late 18th century.
Date of the Festival >> Every Early February – Late March
The Venue for the Festival >> Participant hotels and facilities in Kinugawa Onsen and kawaji Onsen areas.
KINUGAWA OSEN

The great illumination-event, “the Moonlight Flower Gallery,” has started since the year of 2009.
In the evening time, each lantern is lit up, and visitors can enjoy the fantastic scenery.
Kinugawa Park and its surrounding area have formed the main venues, and enjoyable events are to be held, including the “Starry Sky Concert,” which features musical instruments that harmonize with the natural backdrop and the moonlight as well.
Date of the Festival >> Every Early Late September – Early October
The Venue for the Festival >> Kinugawa Park & Kawaji Fureai Park.
KINUGAWA OSEN

Small Onsen town, yet, Yunishigawa Onsen is well known for the place that has many great legends and myths related to Taira clan (a.k.a., the Heike clan). Yunishigawa Onsen area has been developed with the fugitive Heike Clan since 1185. The Heike Clan battled against the Genji Clan for establishing political superiority in Japan, yet, was defeated in 1185 (very known as The Battle of Dan-no-ura). After the battle ended, many fleeing Heike warriors with their families fled into hiding in remote regions of Japan, and Yunishigawa was the one where Taira refugee found a spot to hide and built a new way of life with great Yunishigawa Onsen. It is located 1 hour ride deeper into the mountains from Kinugawa Onsen on wheels.

NIKKO TOURS LIST

On UNESCO's World Heritage Site, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the shrine's Grand Spring Festival takes place on every May 17th and 18th.
Popular yabusame (Shinto Ritual Combining Archery and Horseback Riding,) event is planned at on May 17th. Meanwhile, Hyakumonozoroe Sennin Musha Gyoretsu (the 1,000 Samurai warriors' Procession), of about 1,200 people dressed in historical samurai costumes and portable shrines travel about 1 km on the 18th.
* Nikko Grand Spring Festival is general name for the festival combining Shinto Ritual Combining Archery and Horseback Riding and The 1,000 Samurai Warriors' Procession.
Date of the Festival >> May 17th and 18th
The Venue for the Festival >> Toshogu Shrine ( the alter)
NIKKO TOSHOGU

"Yabusame," Shinto Ritual Combining Archery and Horseback Riding, is a ceremonial mounted archery in traditional Japanese archery.
Yabusame was originally started in the beginning of the Kamakura period, it is said.
Minamoto no Yoritomo (Barbarian Subduing Generalissimo) became alarmed at the lack of archery skills his samurai had. He organized yabusame as a form of practice.
Date of the Festival >> May 17th
The Venue for the Festival >> Toshogu Shrine
NIKKO TOSHOGU

"Hyakumonozoroe Sennin Musha Gyoretsu," the 1,000 Samurai Warriors' Procession, is the biggest shito ritual ceremony among ceremonies of Toshogu Shrine in Nikko.
The first burial place of Ieyasu Tokugawa was at Toshogu Shrine of Mt. Kuno in Shizuoka Pref.
When the first anniversary of his death was held, as stated in his will, his burial place was moved from Mt. Kuno to here, in Nikko.
Today, people can enjoy seeing the re-enacted the 1,000 samurais procession of the time.
This Shinto ritual ceremony is held twice a year on May 18th and Oct 17th, and formally known as Shinyo-togyo (moving of divine portable shrines).
NIKKO TOSHOGU