Meiji Shrine Spring Grand Festival

Every year during Golden Week, a Spring Grand Festival is held at Meiji Shrine (the biggest and most important shrine in Tokyo). The 5-day festival features an impressive lineup of traditional performing arts presentations—lead by masters in the field.

Main ceremonies/performance schedule includes:

1. Shinto ritual ceremonies (May 2 at 10am and 2pm | May 3 at 10am [main ceremony])
2. Bugaku (April 29, from 11am) – Ancient imperial court music
3. Noh and Kyogen (May 2, from 11:30am) – Classical Japanese theater
4. Sankyoku (May 2, from 3:30pm) – Traditional Japanese music
5. Hogaku and hobu (May 3, from 11:45am) – Classical Japanese dance
6. Satsuma biwa (May 3, from 2:30pm) – Japanese lute (banjo-like instrument)

(Adriana Mazza)