Why not joining Japanese local festival, wearing Happi uniform ?
For those who love Japanese Festivals, and are not satisfied with just watching, this would be a perfect opportunity !

H.I.S. Experience Japan Co., Ltd. is going to conduct the tour supported by parties concerned in Saitam prefecture, which is placed next to Tokyo.

Date: November 2nd Sunday
Destination: Hanno Festival in Hanno Saitama Prefecture
Price: \Free　 (discount price: regular price is \8.800)
Highlights: Pulling the festival float wearing Japanese happi coat.
*present! a Japanese washcloth.(Mameshibori Tenugui)
Fixed number: 10 *up to 10 customers are accepted.
Application deadline: October 31st 20:00

You can join in the festival not only watching but also pulling the float in happi coat with other local Japanese.
We are sorry but Japanese people can participate in this tour only with a foreign acquaintance.

When you want to know more information about this tour, check this page at our website.

Please introduce this tour to your friends.

You can apply by e-mail. info@his-exp.jp
Please let us know your following information.
1 Full names of all participants
2 Mobile phone number
3 Nationality
4 Gender
5 PC e-mail address

We　will send you the confirmation slip after 9pm 31st Oct.

Sincerely

H.I.S. Experience Japan Co., Ltd.
President Katsura Nonoyama
Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Oak tower 26F
6-8-1, Nishi-Shinjuku-ku
Tokyou Japan 163-6026
Tel: 03-5322-8966 Fax: 03-5322-8944
http://www.hisexperience.jp
http://truejapan.jp

For bookworms and antiquity hunters , this will truly be heaven … there are thousands of books and you will surely find something of your taste!!  The festival lasts until 1st of November so you really better hurry!! Have a nice explore !!

 How to get to Jimbocho Station :

Toei Shinjuku Line , Hanzomon Line and Toei Mita Line to Metro Station Jimbocho.

In Shinjuku, you can experience, more than 20 Matsuri (Festivals) and Traditional Performing Arts of all over Japan, at the same time, in the same place!
(Please see `About Matsuri’ below)

*To get the image; promotion video is available here! (flash)

About Japan Matsuri 2007

Sessions: August 24(Fri) - 26(Sun), 2007
Place: Shinjuku Koma Theater
Organized by Japan Matsuri Executive Committee

Showtime
Matinee 13:30 start
Evening 17:30 start

Admission Fee
S=￥8,500 A=￥6,000 B=￥5,000

*To get tickets, call ０５７０－０３０３１１(Japanese)
, or go to nearest JTB shop.

Under the auspices of The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japan Tourism Association, Japan National Tourist Organization

For detail, please check the official website.

ACCESS to Shinjuku Koma theater

Shinjuku Station (JR line) east exit, pass Studio Alta(you can recognise the big notice `STUDIO ALTA’ just from the station), pass DONQUI JOTE, a huge gay & very crowded discount store, then keep walking to Shinjuku Koma Theater. 5 minutes’ walk from the station. Have fun!

About Matsuri (Festivals)

Matsuri (Festivals) is recognized as intangible cultural heritage, representing culture, lifestyle, and identity of Japanese people from old times.

Some are very religious based on Shintoism, some are intercultural, with the influence of neighbour countries, some are very solemn and exceptional, some are very lively and open-minded, you can even join and dance!

Most matsuri belong to each regions, representing the tradition of people living in there. Matsuri are inherited from generation to generation, with many people’s effort to preserve.

Most of them are seasonal and annual, so local people pay great effort for arrangement. In some places, right after matsuri finishes, they start preperation for the next year. (For some matsuri freaks, matsuri is more important than work!)

To enjoy Matsuri, check the background story behind each Matsuri, and observe the beautiful carrages and decoration, or people’s uniform. Matsuri is where you can be full of energy and even get energy to last for next 365 days!

Matsuri is another ritual they enjoy everywhere in Japan. It literally means festival. Each Shinto shrine holds annual celebration in order to respect their gods. Most matsuri are separated into two parts; ritual and procession. The ritual part is held at their shrine. Priests show respect to their god by purifying the shrine and dedicating foods, poem, music and dances. Their rituals are sometimes closed to public. However, it is a good chance to see traditional ritual if it is opened to public.

Now, the procession is the part everyone really enjoys. God always stays inside the shrine. It is the only occasion for him / her to go out and look around town. In the beginning of day, priests take god into mikoshi, a portable Shinto shrine. Then, people carry the god around town for the whole day with yells like “Wasshoi” or “Essa”. Many matsuri add other attractions other than mikoshi, such as chochin (lantern) and float.

There are a lot of popular matsuri in Japan. Major matsuri in Tokyo include Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa, Kanda Matsuri near Akihabara, and Sanno Matsuri near Diet Buildings. Although they have different styles, their ritual meanings are similar; respect to their gods.

In this festival, Omikoshi is a famous festival. Omikoshi is the one for a lot of people to succeed the box beautifully decorated.

Precincts were crowded with the great number of people.