Event Info
The Ginza Willow Festival has been held on May 5th (Children’s Day) every year since 2006 to commemorate the planting of an orderly display of willow trees on Nishi-ginza-dori Street when it was designated as a symbolic road of Tokyo.
We are holding the 12th Ginza Willow Festival this year as well, thanks to the outstanding support and cooperation of the Tsukiji Police Station, Chuo City, Tokyo and other government ministries and agencies, Ginza Association, Ginmikai (Ginza Merchant’s Association), Nishi-ginza-dori Association, all the performers, and other individuals who are involved in running the festival.
This year, we will hold a parade and other events centered around a theme of ‘Bonds.’ We hope that many people will come and enjoy the Ginza Willow Festival and sense the person to person bonds. On the day of the festival, we will make every effort to make the day safe and accident-free so that everyone visiting Ginza that day can enjoy the district’s distinctive hospitality and communication and enjoy participating in the day’s events. To make this happen, we look forward to the guidance, support, and assistance of everyone involved in the festival.
Tokuni Yanagisawa, 12th Ginza Willow Festival Planning Committee
12th Ginza Willow Festival
Time & Date: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2018 (holiday) Note: Some events will be canceled in the event of rain
Location: Nishi-ginza-dori St., Sukiyabashi Park (2 locations), various buildings around Nishi-ginza-dori
Organizers: Ginza Association, Nishi-ginza-dori Association, 12th Ginza Willow Festival Planning Committee
Partners: Ginza Street Association, Tokyo Band Association, Click here for a list of sponsors
Auspices: Chuo City
Traffic regulations during the 12th Ginza Willow Festival
Traffic Regulation Map for the event Traffic Regulation Map for the parade
For members of the press
Information about press coverage on the day of the event
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: 1- to 8-chome vehicle-free promenade
Grand parade by the Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo Band Association.
The brass band and baton twirlers parading and performing in teams with a theme of traffic safety and bonds will be a spectacular sight.
Hello Kitty and Peko-chan will also appear on rickshaws. We hope you will come and see the magnificent parade where you can discover, admire, and enjoy a distinctive Ginza delight.
Scheduled participating organizations:
Joint Adachi City Junior High School Brass Band, Joint Nerima City Junior/Senior High School Brass Band, Chuo City Municipal Nihonbashi Junior High School Brass Band, Hachiojigakuen Hachioji High School Wind Band, Nihon University Tsurugaoka Senior High School Brass Band, Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin Brass Band & Baton Twirling Club, Seiryo Junior High School & Senior High School Brass Band, Musashino Junior High School & Senior High School Marching Band, Nihon University Sakuragaoka High School Brass Band & Baton Twirling Club, Komazawa University High School Brass Band, Aoyama Gakuin University Student Union Wind Orchestra & Baton Twirling Club, Kokugakuin University Wind Orchestra, Kokushikan University Brass Band, Senshu University Wind Orchestra, Rissho University Wind Orchestra, Tokai University Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, Nihon University Symphonic Band, Senshu Brass Band, The Crazy Angel Company, Aesthetic Romany, Soka Shining Spirits, Soka Renaissance Vanguard Junior, Katsushika Symphonic Wind Orchestra & Marching Band Blazing Ranks
(arbitrary order)
Parade Schedule
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Sukiyabashi Park (on the 5-chome side)
Performances by about 15 top bands selected from the Tokyo Band Association at Sukiyabashi 5-chome. Enjoy powerful performances up close.
Scheduled participating organizations:
Chuo City Municipal Taimei Elementary School Brass Band, Joint Tokyo Elementary Schools Band, Itabashi City Municipal Akatsuka Dai-san Junior High School Brass Band, Adachi City Municipal Dai-ju-yon Junior High School Brass Band, Hamura City Municipal Hamura Dai-ichi Junior High School Band, Juntoku Girls’ High School Brass Band, Hachiojigakuen Hachioji High School Wind Band, Teikyo University, Tokai University Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, Nihon University Symphonic Band, Rissho University Wind Orchestra, Joint Tokyo Workplace Band Association Band, Soka Gloria Junior Wind Orchestra, Ohnishi Gakuen Junior High School & High School Brass Band
(arbitrary order)
Concert Schedule
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Chuo City Municipal Sukiyabashi Park (on the 4-chome side)
A space for the whole family from kids to adults to enjoy together.
There will be traditional toys like spinning tops and “kendama” ball and cups and an open air Go class offering experiences that are rare for modern children.
There will be appearances by Hello Kitty and Peko-chan who are loved by all.
Hello Kitty appearance: (1) 2:30 p.m. (2) 4:00 p.m.
Peko-chan appearance: (1) 3:00 p.m. (2) 4:30 p.m.
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 2-chome vehicle-free promenade
Powerful performance of traditional local dance.
The Yosakoi performance that is a special feature every year is a major highlight.
Scheduled participating organizations:
Shurai Buyodan, Dream Yosakoi Official Team, Binamaity!, Hosei University Yosakoi Soran Circle Hoyoren, Yosakoi Kashiwa Kurenai Juku, Marugoto Kochi Official Team
Performance schedule and performance team introductions
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 3-chome vehicle-free promenade
Space for experiencing activities such as taiko drums with all five senses.
Encounter culture and local specialties from different prefectures while still within Ginza, surrounding yourself with an atmosphere that is different from Ginza in regular times. You can also see Akita dogs that are loved all over the world. The city of Odate that was where the famous loyal dog Hachiko lived will set up a booth for visitors to meet Akita dogs. Come and see the adorable dogs.
Scheduled participating organizations:
Hachijojima Island (Tokyo), Odate City (Akita Prefecture)
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 5-chome vehicle-free promenade
Visitors who answer a quiz at participating local specialty shops will receive a nice gift. Also keep your eyes out for costumed mascots at the PR booths.
Scheduled participating organizations:
Iwate Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Mito City in Ibaraki Prefecture, Itako City in Ibaraki Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, and more
Note: Photos are of last year’s events.
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 3-chome vehicle-free promenade
We support drivers who strive to reduce the number of traffic accidents based on the slogan, “Praise good driving rather than reproach bad driving.”
The Smart Driver campaign headed by citizens striving to ensure traffic safety will participate in the parade and events.
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 4-chome vehicle-free promenade
Visitors can receive tips on vehicle safety checks and the proper way to ride.
The Traffic Safety Campaign will raise awareness about traffic safety by acting out an actual accident in an intense performance.
From 2:00 p.m.: Scared Straight (re-enactment of a traffic accident by a stunt man)
From 3:00 p.m.: Traffic Safety Class
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: 6-chome vehicle-free promenade
Shimbashi geisha culture performance in Ginza. Experience the Edo way of life and beauty of Japan in a dance by a geisha group that cannot usually be seen.
Performance schedule (dance and publicity) 20 minutes each
From 2:15 p.m.
From 2:45 p.m.
From 3:15 p.m.
Time: 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: 6- to 8-chome vehicle-free promenade
Take a round trip ride between 6- and 8-chome on Nishi-ginza-dori
in rickshaws that were a lively part of the parade.
Enjoy the scenery from and comfort of a rickshaw.
Time: 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Location: 4-chome Nishi-ginza Event Space
Participants in the Ginza Honey Bee Project to raise honeybees on the rooftops of buildings in Ginza will promote their “Ginza Honey.”
Honey collected by Ginza honeybees has been praised for its unique flavor.
Note: May finish earlier than 3:00 p.m.
Time: 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: 6- to 8-chome vehicle-free promenade (fixed point, walking act)
Tokyo’s Heaven Artists are back again this year.
Tokyo’s official performers liven up spectators on the street.
This is one of the most popular events every year.
Scheduled participating artists:
Asako, Shigemi Uchida, Edo Marionette Group, Kanauknot, Senmaru, Taiheiyo. Tokyo Futari, 5Sax Orchestra, Furaibo HiRo, Magician NOA, Melancholy Suzuki, Monaural mini-Plug
(Japanese alphabetical order)
See the Heaven Artists’ websites for their programs for that day.
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 7-chome vehicle-free promenade
At this event that is a big hit every year, children use the road as a canvas to create innovative and powerful art.
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 8-chome vehicle-free promenade
Yokoso Ginza will be held for the third time this year. Performers will welcome visitors to Ginza with the vibrant songs and dances of Ginza-related Sakuragawa school Sakuragawa Chiyosuke troupe Edo-gei Kappore (Ginza Ondo) and Gujo Odori that will be performed by dancers from by Gujo Hachiman.
Performance schedule
2:00 p.m.: Ginza Ondo (dance)
3:00 p.m.: Gujo Odori (dance)
Participation in the Gujo Odori dance is open to everyone.
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 8-chome vehicle-free promenade
Receive a gift of a seedling of Ginza’s iconic willow tree.
These are genuine Ginza willow seedlings directly trimmed from actual willow trees lining Nishi-ginza-dori and raised in a nursery.
There will also be a display panel showing how to raise willow trees and the history of willow trees in Ginza.
Other events
Inquiries:
Ginza Willow Festival Office TEL: 03-3562-0838
Please note:
In case of rain, some events will be canceled.
Street crossing by pedestrians will be restricted during the parade and some other events.
For details, please contact the Ginza Willow Festival Office.