Mami Nagai × Chisako Takashima

The Yukata de Gin-bura Festival will be held in August as usual. New activities will make the event even more fun.

Takashima

I understand that you are currently the planning director of the Ginza Merchant’s Association. What types of things are you doing?

Nagai

Coming up soon is an event called the ‘Yukata de Gin-bura Festival’ that will be held in August. I’m currently making preparations for that. This event has been held every year since 1970 with Ginza being turned into a vehicle-free promenade on the first Sunday in August. It was given the name, Yukata de Gin-bura, eight years ago.

Takashima

What plans were carried out last year?

Nagai

Ginza Chuo-dori was turned into a vehicle-free promenade. All the festival participants splashed water on the street in unison to the beat of the drum, and we held a raffle sponsored by various shops in Ginza.

Takashima

What were the prizes in last year’s raffle?

Nagai

They were very luxurious prizes, like brand-name handbags, diamond necklaces and hotel and meal vouchers. It is a big hit every year, with long lines.

Takashima

Only in Ginza! What are you planning for this year?

Nagai

Last year we had a scavenger hunt quiz because we wanted people to enjoy walking around to all the different spots in Ginza. This year as well, we are working on a quiz to teach visitors about Ginza’s history and lesser-known places of interest. This year we will expand the number of people who can participate in wind chime painting that was very popular last year. A new feature we will try this time is the Traveling Edo Aquarium. The Sumida Aquarium will help us put on a goldfish exhibit reproducing goldfish peddling shops from Edo to Showa using the tools from each era.

Takashima

You’re going to reproduce goldfish peddling shops. That is such a valuable effort — to repair the tools of the eras just for exhibiting goldfish with no expectation of sales. That is amazing support from the aquarium.

Nagai

We will prepare all sorts of activities to help visitors create fun summer memories with their family and friends, so we hope many people will come out for the event.

Takashima

Not limited to this year, what is something you hope to do eventually?

Nagai

Because the event is in August when it is very hot, I hope that we can someday shift the event schedule to the evening when it is cooler. For example, I think it would be wonderful someday for the event to start with the splashing of water on the street on the count of three, as usual, then to see people strolling through Ginza in yukatas as the sun sets, enjoying all the events throughout the district.

Takashima

I’m positive it would be delightful to see Ginza in festival-mode at night! I hope this happens someday.

Nagai

Ginza is strongly seen as a place for enjoying food and shopping, but if this idea is realized, it will let people catch a glimpse of a whole other side of Ginza.