A firefighter festival in Tokyo, the dezome-shiki includes acrobatic displays, emergency drills, and parades by the fire department, some in historical costumes.
A purification festival in Tokyo, the Dondo-yaki involves burning New Year decorations. Participants roast rice cakes over the bonfire for protection from illness in the coming year.
A sumo tournament in Tokyo, the January Hatsu Basho is the first of six professional competitions. The fifteen-day event occurs at the national sumo arena.
The Daruma market in Ome is an annual event held on January 12. The market sells traditional dolls and commemorates the city’s former silk farming industry.
A historic market in Tokyo, the Setagaya Boroichi is held in December and January. About 700 vendors sell antiques, vintage clothing, and traditional crafts.
A winter festival in Tokyo, Daikoku Matsuri at Kanda Myojin Shrine involves a performer blessing attendees with a sacred mallet to grant luck and wealth for the year.
A cultural festival in Tokyo, this annual event on January 24-25 involves exchanging carved wooden bullfinches at Kameido Tenjin Shrine to secure good fortune.
A Setsubun festival in Shimokitazawa, this event includes a parade where participants dressed as tengu throw beans for good luck through the local shopping streets.
