At the event square at Yoyogi Park this weekend is another outdoor/environmental themed festival – Eco Life Fair 2013. Along with seminars, eco-food and eco-crafts, there will also be a big lineup of Japanese idol groups performing on the main stage and a number of appearances from ‘Miss Earth Japan’ Megumi Noda (apparently she’s very down to earth). Check the event page here.
A continent that is hugely under represented in the ethnic festival mix in Japan is Africa. So, for a rare chance to sample what this diverse continent has to offer, head to Pacifico in Yokohama for the Africa Fair 2013. The Jetro sponsored event will have booths for many of the countries in Africa, a food court and an entertainment stage. Entry is free while Pacifico is a 3 minute walk from Minato Mirai Station on the Yokohama Subway. The fair started on Thursday and runs until 5pm on Sunday.
For a bit of matsuri action, you can try the Kuramae Festival this weekend. Based around the Kuramae Shrine in Taito Ward, the festival runs on both days of the weekend. The main procession in which the mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded around the neighbourhood happens between 10am and 5pm on Sunday, the 2nd of June. The closest station is Kuramae on the Toei Oedo and Asakusa Lines.
If you have a male child under the age of 6 they will go completely nuts over the Yokosuka YY Norimono Festival. ‘Norimono’ is the Japanese word for vehicle – this festival will feature everything from trains to fire engines to boats to helicopters. Based at Verny Park, the festival is a 1 minute walk from JR Yokosuka Station.
