Main Festival
The storytellers′ theater in the Edo Period is recreated in the precinct of Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple, offering traditional storytelling arts such as “Kodan”. Various live performances can be enjoyed on the main street of Kagurazaka while the secret world of Geisha unfolds itself in “Kenban”. Take a walk back in time by participating in the stamp rally through the local historic sites and complete your day with the special evening show at Akagi-jinja Shrine. This main festival will take you all over the town of Kagurazaka and let you fully appreciate and experience Japanese culture.
Kagurazaka Rakuza – Storytellers′ theater
On the special stage in Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple, traditional storytelling arts will liven up the festival, some performed by young artists and others accompanied by musical instruments such as shamisen and biwa (Japanese lute).
- Date
- November 12th (Sun), 2017 around 11:30-16:30
- Places
- Special stage at Bishamonten Zenkoku-ji Temple
- Admission
- Free
- Performers
- Tamagawa Nanafuku and Sawamura Mifune (“Rokyoku” story recitation accompanied by shamisen) Tanabe Ginya (“Kodan” storytelling) and Koto (Japanese flute)
- Takemoto Kyonosuke and Kazu Tsuruzawa (“Gidayu-bushi” story recitation accompanied by shamisen)
- Nagasu Tomoka (“Satsuma Biwa” Japanese lute)
- Host
- Ishii Yokichi (owner of Sukeroku, a long-established footwear / bag / umbrella store in Kagurazaka)
Performing Arts Tour and Street Live Performances in Kagurazaka
Three live spots are set up on the streets of Kagurazaka, where guests of all ages can enjoy performances by groups that create the fusion of classic and modern styles and artists who pass the Edo-Period tradition on to the present.
- Date
- November 12th (Sun), 2017, around 12:10-16:30
- Places
- In front of “Shimakin”, Kagurazakaue Intersection,“Park Luxe Kagurazaka”, “Pocket park” patio
- Admission
- Free
- Performers
- Bruce Huebner (“Shakuhachi” Japanese flute) and Miyama McQueen-Tokita (“Koto” Japanese harp)
- Kabuchokafuyugekkyo Gagakudan (“Gagaku” Japanese court music)
- Seshami Street Boys (Tsugaru Shamisen performance duo)
- Maruichi Senoh Troupe (Japanese traditional juggling and lion dance)
- Otawa Masaki (“Taiko” Japanese drum), Iwata Takuya (“Shakuhachi” Japanese flute) and Kobayashi Mayuko (“Sou” Japanese harp)
- Kotokiki (“Fue” Japanese flute and Tsugaru Shamisen)
- Mochizuki Harumi Troupe (Japanese percussions)
- Fujiyama Taiju (“Tezuma” sleight of hand)
- Kiba Daisuke and others (“Kokyu” Japanese fiddle)
Experiencing Ozashiki Asobi (Traditional Japanese Parlor Games)
This program offers you the opportunity to enjoy songs, shamisen music and dances performed by Kagurazaka Geisha Ladies and also try playing games that Geishas Ladies often play in banquets. English translation is available for non-Japanese-speaking guests.
- Date
- November 12th (Sun), 2017
- 1st Performance: 13:00-14:00
- 2nd Performance: 14:30-15:30
- *Contents are the same in both performances.
- Places
- Kenban (the administration office and training place for Geisha Ladies)
- Admission
- 2,500 yen per person
-Reservation is required (Up to 40 persons per performance)
-English brochures and consecutive interpretation are available at each performance.
-For tickets, please contact Confetti. http://confetti-web.com/
TEL: 0120-240-540 (toll-free) *Operators are available 10:00-18:00 on weekdays (Japanese).
Ticket sales starts on October 2nd (Mon) at 10:00AM - Performers
- Kagurazaka Geisha Ladies
- Dancers: Chika, Eiko and Fukuko
- Musicians: Mayumi (singer), Natsue and Sakurako (shamisen) and Yumie (drums)
Evening Live Music Performances at Akagi-jinja Shrine Kagura Hall
Akagi-jinja Shrine has been a landmark since Edo Period and is famous for a place you can enjoy beautiful sunset. At its modern and beautiful kagura hall, there will be a live musical performance of a genre tinted by elements of classic Japanese music (nagauta etc.). As the event’s finale, artists who performed at other places will also be gathering and will conclude the festival as the guests, staff, and artists become one.
- Date
- November 12th (Sun), 2017, around 17:00-18:00
- Places
- Kaguraden stage in Akagi-jinja Shrine
- Admission
- Free
- Performers
- Maruichi Senoh Troupe (“Edo Dai Kagura” performances)
- Bruce Huebner (“Shakuhachi” Japanese flute)
- Tobaya Riseki Troupe (“Nagauta” music with shamisen) and Mochizuki Harumi Troupe (Japanese percussions)
- Host
- Cyril Coppini (“Rakugo” storyteller)
Kagurazaka Time Slip (Stamp Rally & Historical Tours)
Visit 7 historical landmarks from the Edo, Meiji and Taisho Periods and collect stamps while learning about the area from Kagurazaka Historians greeting you at 8 locations. In Shirogane Park and Jinai Park, you can enjoy picture-story shows, puppet shows and other nostalgic outdoor performances. While you’re there, take a moment to enjoy Japanese “tsumiki” construction blocks. Collect all 7 stamps and exchange them for commemorative “Tenugui” multi-purpose towels!
- Date
- November 12th (Sun), 2017, 11:30-16:00
- *Guests can exchange their stamps with prizes until 16:30. Prizes are limited.
- Places
- 7 stamp points throughout Kagurazaka
- 8 historical guide spots
- Shirogane Park, Jinai Park
- Admission
- Free (A map with a stamp sheet will be distributed at each stamp point)
- Performers
- Shibuya Gagekidan (picture-story show)
- Kamijo Mitsuru (Edo marionette show)
- *English maps and translations are available at each stamp point
- Let’s collect 7 stamps to get the original goods of this event at the exchange place. Maps in English are available at “Information Desk” in Bishamonten and stamp point places.
- *Programs are subject to change or cancellation depending on circumstances. Alternative venues for a rainy weather and other information will be announced on the official website and at the festival venues.
