Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
35
restaurants and most stores remain open.
The exception is during the New Year's
celebration, the end of December through
January 3 or 4, when almost all restau-
rants, public and private offices, and stores
close up shop; during that time, you'll
have to dine in hotels.
All
museums
close for New Year's for 1
to 4 days, but most major museums remain
open for the other holidays. If a public
holiday falls on a Monday (when most
museums are closed), many museums will
remain open but will close instead the fol-
lowing day, on Tuesday. Note that privately
owned museums, however, such as art
museums or special-interest museums, gen-
erally close on public holidays. To avoid
disappointment, be sure to phone ahead if
you plan to visit a museum on or the day
following a holiday.
TOKYO CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Because Japan has two major religions, Shintoism and Buddhism, it celebrates festi-
vals throughout the year. Every major shrine and temple observes at least one
annual festival with events that might include traditional dances, colorful proces-
sions, and booths selling souvenirs and food. For an exhaustive list of events beyond
those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable,
up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.
J
ANUARY
New Year's Day,
nationwide. The most
important national holiday in Japan,
this is a time of family reunions and
gatherings with friends to drink sake
and eat special New Year's dishes.
Because the Japanese spend this day
with families, and because almost all
businesses, restaurants, shops, and
museums are closed, it's not a particu-
larly rewarding time of the year for
foreign visitors. The best bets are shrines
and temples such as Meiji Jingu and
Sensoji Temple, where Japanese come
dressed in their best (many wear tradi-
tional kimono) to pray for good health
and happiness in the coming year. Janu-
ary 1.
Dezomeshiki
(New Year's Parade of
Firemen),
Tokyo Big Sight, Odaiba,
Tokyo. This annual event features agile
firemen in traditional costumes who
prove their worth with acrobatic stunts
atop tall bamboo ladders. January 6.
Coming-of-Age Day,
a national holi-
day. This day honors young people who
have reached the age of 20, when they
are allowed to vote, drink alcohol, and
assume other responsibilities. They visit
shrines to pray for their future; in
Tokyo, the most popular shrine is Meiji
Shrine. Many women wear traditional
kimono. Second Monday in January.
Sumo Tournament,
Kokugikan (sumo
stadium), Tokyo (www.sumo.or.jp; take
the JR or Oedo Line to Ryogoku Sta-
tion). One of three Grand Tournaments
held in Tokyo, held for 15 consecutive
days in mid-January.
F
EBRUARY
Setsubun (Bean-Throwing Festival),
at leading temples throughout Japan.
This festival celebrates the last day of
winter according to the lunar calendar.
People throng to temples to participate
in the traditional ceremony of throw-
ing soybeans to drive away imaginary
devils and welcome spring. In Tokyo,
popular sites include Kanda Myojin
Shrine, Hie Shrine, and Sensoji Tem-
ple. February 3 or 4.
National Foundation Day
(Kigensetsu),
a national holiday. It celebrates the found-
ing of Japan by Emperor Jimmy in 660
b.c. February 11.
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