While it’s usually one of Tokyo’s more peaceful neighbourhoods, Kagurazaka gets a little frenetic each July, as hordes of yukata wearers and Awa Odori dancers flood the streets for four days of traditional festivities. Taking place every summer for over 50 years, this neighbourhood festival is split into two parts.
The festival kicks off on Wednesday July 22 with a hozuki (ground cherry) lantern plant market. Food stalls will be open from 5pm to 9pm on both July 22 and 23. Children can take part in traditional festival games, such as fishing for colourful water-balloon yo-yos, while adults can join a guided tour of Kagurazaka’s back alleys (¥1,000) in yukata or pick up a Chinese lantern plant at the market held at Bishamonten (Zenkokuji) Temple.
The main festivities take place over the weekend, with a two-hour Awa Odori procession scheduled for 7pm on both Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, there will also be a children’s Awa Odori procession from 6pm to 7pm along the main street.