Kagoshima's biggest festival, named after a famous folk song from the seaside city in Kyushu, takes over Shibuya with parades, songs and dance performances on May 18 and 19. The procession takes place between 12noon and 5pm on Sunday, moving along Dogenzaka-dori and Bunkamura-dori streets. Expect to see dancers in colourful yukata and happi (festival jackets) accompanied by traditional drummers.
During the festival, you can sample a selection of Kyushu delicacies at the Uniqlo Dogenzaka store. If the festivities inspire you to take a trip to Kagoshima, make sure to visit the city’s tourist information booth right there and then.
This year, the parade is complemented by a separate Kagoshima Shochu & Music Fest, held concurrently on both days (12noon to 8pm) at the Bloom Gate event space within the Shibuya Sakura Stage complex. Here you can enjoy shochu from 17 distilleries based in Kagoshima, which is widely regarded as the kingdom of shochu. Prices are set at ¥300 a cup and with 34 brands of shochu on offer, you’re sure to find some that’s to your liking.