Mono-Machi 8th

Mono-Machi is an event by makers in Shitamachi, such as craftsmen, artisans or manufacturing companies. The main building will be Taito Designers Village. Start there, buy creators' goods and get stamps. You can also find some workshops to make something handmade.

May 27, 28 and 29.

http://monomachi.com/
(use Google translation)

Shitaya Shrine Matsuri

Shitaya Shrine Matsuri was held on May 7 and 8 in Ueno.　Beginning of the Matsuri season.

Sanja Matsuri in 2016

Sanja Matsuri will be held on May 13, 14 and 15 this year. Please be careful that the festival is one week earlier than usual.

See our facebook page for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/events/935376099879695/?active_tab=posts

http://www.sanjasama.jp/

shop#196 Kappa Village Ippinten

There is a shop selling colorful steamed meat buns (Kappa Nikuman) on Orange Street in Asakusa, just in front of the Asakusa Public Hall. At this place, you can join a guided bike tour called Tokyo Culture Cycling Tour. The tour is in English or Japanese. I am sure it is a perfect activity on a fine autumn day.

One day tour 10,000 yen
Half day tour 5,000 yen
includes bike and helmet.

You may go to Akihabara, Ueno, Tsukiji or Ryogoku at your request.

Check their website at:
http://www.tokyotabisaki.jp/english-home/

shop#193 Kumazawa Book Store

Do you like Manga?

Kumazawa Book Store is opened recently on the 6th floor of Asakusa Matsuya (a department store). Here is a wonderful place for people who love Manga, because you can read 1000 sample Manga books. See a picture and you will see the word "見本", which means a sample copy. The comics are in Japanese, but it is one of the good ways to learn Japanese characters.

Ninja Training

The most famous Ninja anime in Japan is NARUTO. In the States it may be Ninja Turtles.

Would you like to be a Ninja? Experience first at Maruhana Ninja Shop located at Hanayashiki street. You can try 4 programs at 2,000 yen:
- SWORD-HANDLING TECHNIQUES
- THE ART OF STEALTH
- CONCEALMENT METHODS
- SHURIKEN BLADE THROWING

You can buy some Ninja goods here.

http://esp07.dt-r.com/hanayashiki-bakezona/

shop#187 shim

A new shop for rental Kimono is opened in Asakusa. Wear Kimono and go for a walk.

one-day rental: 9:00-20:00 / 5,500yen
half-day rental: 14:00-20:00 / 4,000yen

http://www.shimjapan.com/

Check "12 Rules for Sakura Ohanami"

Please check the rules before you go to Ohanami, in order to enjoy beautiful Sakura. :-)

http://oldtowntokyo.blogspot.jp/p/sakura-ohanami-rules.html

shop#171 Mokuhankan

Are you interested in Ukiyo-e? Mokuhankan is a new place in Asakusa, where you can buy beautiful woodblock prints and can experience how to make these.

The owner, David-san, kindly showed me his workshop and a brief demonstration of "Print Party." The design is Momotaro and his vassals (dog, monkey and pheasant), which is a Japanese old tale.

"Print Party"
- Use 4 colors to make woodblock print on carved blocks.
- A typical session lasts about an hour.
- 2,000 yen per person (discounted for families and groups)

See their website at:
http://mokuhankan.com/parties/index.php

Setsubun Event on February 3 in 2015

On February 3, the event Setsubun will be held at many temples and shrines.

Sensoji 13:30～
Shitaya shrine 14:00～
Torigoe Shrine 15:40～18:30
Kameido Tenjin 17:30～

Get lucky beans!

http://oldtowntokyo.blogspot.jp/p/setsubun.html

The 1st Asakusa Snow Festival (Asakusa Yuki Matsuri)

January 24 and 25, 2015

The 1st Snow Festival in Asakusa will be held on January 24 and 25. This winter, we do not have much snow yet in Tokyo. In this event, the 60 tons of snow will be delivered from Yamagata prefecture to the Senzoku Elementary School in Asakusa. If you do not have time to go north and see snow, it is a great chance to play in the snow.

Jan. 24, 11:00-19:00
Jan. 25, 10:00-17:00

event site: http://asakusayukimatsuri.tokyo/ (Japanese)

Happy new year!

Hatsumoude, the first visit to a temple or a shrine. We visited Sensoji and Asakusa Shrine as always.

Omikuji                                        Daruma

Omikoshi                          Nakamise street

Asakusa Shrine

Goju-no-tou                                      Manekineko

Sensoji

Hozomon Gate

shop#160 TSUMAMI-DO

Tsumami-Zaiku is a Japanese craft which has a 300 years' history, using a small square texture colorfully dyed in a traditional way. Here at Tsumami-Do, you can experience Tsumami-Zaiku. Folding a texture like Origami, you can make a flower-shaped accessory in 30 to 40 minutes. Once you know how to make it, you can buy materials here, as it is the only material store of Tsumami-Zaiku. A Kanzashi (hair ornament) made by this method is very beautiful.

The owner, Takahashi-san, said they welcome foreign people. However, the class is in Japanese only, so please take someone who is Japanese or who speaks some Japanese. Please contact them in advance if you are more than 3 people.

Located between Asakusabashi Station and Kuramae Station.

■　Tsumami-Zaiku Experience
Reservation is not needed.
Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00
Fee: 860 yen (hairpin), 1,600 yen (charm)
available children over 6 years-old