Event Info
Yukata de Gin-bura Festival 2015 is a project that turns Ginza-dori from 1-Chome to 8-Chome into a vehicle-free promenade on Sunday, August 2.
In August 1970, Ginza-dori was the first street in Japan to be turned into a vehicle-free promenade. To commemorate that vehicle-free promenade and let visitors to Ginza enjoy a day of summer fun, the Yukata de Gin-bura (“Gin-bura” means strolling through Ginza) Festival began 9 years ago as part of “Holiday Promenade” project held every August. Once again this year various events and attractions evocative of “wa” and “summer in Japan” will be held to help visitors dressed in yukata further enjoy the streets of Ginza decorated in traditional Japanese style, so be sure not to miss Ginza’s summer festival.
Yukata de Gin-bura Festival 2015
Time & Date: 1-4 p.m., Sunday, August 2, 2015
Location: Ginza-dori
Organizers: Ginza Association, Ginza Street Association
Events and Attractions List | Fun Guide |
Ginza’s Summer Japanese Sweets |
Ginza Hospitality |
Sponsors |
At two locations on Ginza-dori, water will be splashed on the street in unison to the spirited beat of the drum. Let the cooling effect of the water lower the temperature of Ginza and create a cool breeze along the vehicle-free promenade. Everyone taking part in “Mission Uchimizu” will receive a plastic bottle of drink.
Co-host: Tokyo National Highway Office of Ministry of Land
Partners: Mission Uchimizu Headquarters, Tokyo Bureau of Sewerage
Sponsors of drinks: Asahi Calpis Beverage Co., Ikutatsu Inc., Ito En Ltd.,
Sapporo Breweries Ltd., Suntory Liquors Ltd.
Visitors can try a quiz on Ginza, and those that answer all the questions correctly will be entered in a draw to win luxury prizes. Prizes will include yukatas, bags, meal coupons, and more. (Limited to the first 1,000 visitors in yukata or other traditional Japanese dress; entry limited to once at either one of the two stages.)
Sponsors: Companies providing prizes for the Jumbo Ginza Raffle
The Teahouse will offer iced coffee, green tea, and other drinks. It also offers a place for relaxation with benches and foliage plants for visitors strolling through Ginza to take a break. Drinks are free for anyone who gives a donation for areas affected by the Tohoku Earthquake.
Partner: Chuo City Social Welfare Council
Sponsors: Ito En, Ltd., Starbucks Coffee Japan, Ltd.,
Nishio Tea Cooperative Association
Four years have passed since the Tohoku Earthquake. To prevent consciousness towards the areas affected by the disaster from fading, the people of Ginza will hold a project to aid in the economic recovery of those areas. Visitors will be given mizudashi sencha (green tea prepared in cold water) from Yabe-En-Chaho, a tea shop in Shiogama.
In addition to numerous ice pillars and sculptures along Ginza-dori, pure white snow will fall in midsummer Ginza around the snow machine area.
See, feel and enjoy the coolness as you stroll through Ginza.
Enjoy a powerful wadaiko (Japanese drum) performance by Tsukishima Gojin Daiko that will liven up the festival.
Partner: Tsukishima Gojin Daiko (Chuo-ku organization)
A traveling aquarium exhibit created by the Sumida Aquarium located at the base of Tokyo Skytree® and modeled after the traditional goldfish peddlers of the Edo through Taisho periods.
Experience a little summer coolness with goldfish-filled aquariums.
Goldfish not available for sale.
Partners: Sumida Aquarium, Japan Ornamental Fish Association
Those who visit the Sumida Aquarium in yukata on the day of the festival will receive one free drink.
Sumida Aquarium: 5F Tokyo Solamachi, Tokyo Sky Tree Town, 1-1-2
☎03-5619-1821
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (final entry 8 p.m.)
Draw pictures on an Edo-style wind chime that rings out a cool-sounding tune to create a one-of-a-kind wind chime. Children and adults alike are encouraged to participate and create their own special summer vacation memories.
(Numbered tickets will be distributed to the first 240 visitors in yukata or other traditional Japanese dress.)
A professional photographer will be available at Ginza-dori 5-Chome to take a portrait of you in your yukata with the clock tower in the background. Create a wonderful memory of wearing your yukata together with family, your special someone, or a friend. (Limited to the first 30 groups of visitors in yukata or other traditional Japanese dress.)
Partner: Panasonic Corporation
An elaborate play area will be set up for enjoying coolness, including a “snowy mountain treasure hunt” where children can hunt for treasures buried in snow. (For children up to elementary school age.)
One day only mini fair on the Matsuya rooftop! There will be yo-yos, target shooting and other summery entertainment to let you enjoy a festival atmosphere. Prizes will be given to visitors participating in games, on a first-come-first-served basis. In addition, a special photo space will be available for visitors in yukata to enjoy next to the first floor central elevator.
*A limited event will be held in the case of rain.
Matsuya Ginza will provide more than 60 other special services for visitors in yukata.
For details, see the flyers available in the first floor entrance.
Ginza Yukata Week 100 Special Services for Shoppers in Yukata
July 22 (Wed.) – August 8 (Sat.) – Matsuya Ginza and Other Famous Ginza Stores
As a pre- and post-event to the Yukata de Gin-bura Festival 2015 held on August 2 (Sun.), once again this year Matsuya Ginza and other famous Ginza stores will be providing over 100 special services and bargains to shoppers in yukata for the week surrounding the festival.
For details, see Matsuya Yukata 2015.
For those of you who have a yukata, but don’t know how to put it on, please try this service. Staff from kimono shops and kimono accessories shops in Ginza will dress you in a kimono free of charge. Men are also welcome to use this service.
*Only available to those with all the yukata components (obi belt, waist cord, and other accessories needed for dressing) and a pair of geta sandals.
Matsuya Ginza Location: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (*First 70 people)
*Numbered tickets will be distributed at the Matsuya Ginza Kyobashi entrance at 10 a.m. that morning.
*Those arriving after 10:15 a.m. are requested to go directly to the location on the seventh floor.
Ginza Core Location: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (First 60 people)
*Numbered tickets will be distributed at Ginza Core third floor Core Hall at 11 a.m. that morning.
Partners: Ginza Core, Matsuya Ginza, local participating stores
The following links provide easy to understand videos on how to wear yukata, how to avoid your yukata coming loose, and how to fix your yukata if it does. Click the links below to view the videos.
– How to wear yukata for women
– How to wear yukata for men
Check the official Yukata de Gin-bura Twitter account for the latest event information!
@yukatadeginbura
*Charity boxes for donations to areas affected by the Tohoku Earthquake will be set up in various locations including the Headquarters and Uchimizu Tent.
*In the case of rain, events will be limited to the Summer Festival on Matsuya Ginza Rooftop (SORATONIWA Ginza) and the Free Yukata Dressing Service. To learn whether the Jumbo Ginza Raffle will be held, inquire at Information or check the
Ginza Official website.
*Inquire at Information for any questions you may have the day of the festival.
*Event content subject to change without advance notice.
Here is presented a suggested schedule for enjoying the Ginza summer festival. Please use it as a reference for your visit.
*Some events or attractions are limited in terms of the number of participants, etc. Please see the Events and Attractions List for details.
Enjoy a specially priced lunch at one of the restaurants participating in Ginza Hospitality.
Popular new venues and historic establishments have prepared special services for festival visitors.
After lunch, take a break at the Ginza Teahouse. The Teahouse offers a variety of cool, refreshing treats.
The Ginza Teahouse is a rest area where visitors can take a moment to relax to the scent of soothing incense and the sound of bamboo grass rustling in the breeze coming from Hamarikyu Gardens.
After your break, visit the Traveling Edo Aquarium , styled after the goldfish peddlers of old.
Cool off watching the goldfish swimming in the clear water.
The ice sculptures decorating Ginza-dori are also sure to help visitors beat the heat.
The conclusion to the Yukata de Gin-bura Festival is the 1,000 Person Cool Breeze Project in Ginza (Uchimizu Event)!
400 participants line up along Ginza-dori to conduct uchimizu (splashing water on the street to cool the local area). Let’s send a cooling breeze through the streets of Ginza!
Take a commemorative photo in yukata with the memorable streets of Ginza in the background.
A photo together in front of Ginza by a professional photographer is sure to make for a spectacular memory of your visit with your spouse.
Enjoy a day out with just the girls and enjoy delicious food, beautiful yukata, and cute accessories. First, participate in the Jumbo Ginza Raffle and see how well you do in a quiz on Ginza. Will you win one of the fabulous prizes offered by some of Ginza’s most famous shops?
At the end of your fun-filled day, get a little tipsy at one of the bars or restaurants offering a free drink and enjoy some girl talk.
Couples are sure to enjoy the wind chime painting event. Giving each other the wind chimes you’ve made will make for a perfect summer memory.
In the evening, complete your romantic visit to Ginza at one of the area’s many bars and restaurants.
One of the great things about the Yukata de Ginza-bura Festival is that it’s fun for the whole family.
Kids will love the snow falling in Ginza around the snow machine area and the snowy mountain treasure hunt at the Kid’s Plaza.
A mini fair will also be held on the roof of Matsuya. Be sure to visit and create some fun summer vacation memories!
Various famous Ginza shops will offer Japanese sweets created around the theme of “coolness.” Be sure to relish these cool-looking, colorful delicacies!
A steamed grated yam bun
Fashioned after a Japanese
uchiwa fan.
Available: Jul. 27 – Aug. 1
・Man-nen-dou main shop ☎03-3571-3777
A sweet which uses coarse rice powder to create the image of water
ruffled by the wind.
Finished with the refreshing
citrus flavor of yuzu.
Available: Jul. 27 – Aug. 2
・Seigetsudo main shop ☎03-3541-5588
・Matsuya Ginza shop
Nerikiri rice cake designed to
evoke a beautiful woman in
yukata.
The figure is cloaked in a
thin nerikiri yukata and
holds a folding fan.
Available: Around Jul. 25 – Aug. 2
・Ginza Kikunoya main shop (Ginza Core Bldg. shop)
☎03-3571-4095
A nerikiri rice cake filled with strained bean paste and made with white kidney beans and grated yam. The shape represents the slight coolness of a refreshing waterside breeze.
Available: Aug. 2 – 17
・Ginza Fugestsudo ☎03-3572-1777
A Japanese style jelly made with natural flavor ingredients from Versailles, France, this summer-themed confection bears a cute goldfish design.
Available: Mid-May through Mid-August
・Minamoto Kitchoan Ginza main shop
☎03-3569-2360
Mashed white sweet potato dotted
with colorful amber sweets
which brings to mind the
boom of sparkling fireworks
in the night sky.
Available: Jul. 18 – Aug. 2
・Toraya Ginza shop ☎03-3571-3679
Made with domestic hon-kudzu, spring water from the Ryusendo cavern and Tamba dainagon adzuki beans.
Enjoy the smooth texture of the kudzu and the rich flavor of the Tamba dainagon.
Available: Now on sale (until late August)
・Ginza Akebono Ginza main shop
☎03-3571-3640
In addition to special services and bargains for those wearing yukata, numerous shops, from historical mainstays to popular new venues, will be offering hospitality to visitors.
Be sure to experience the Yukata de Gin-bura Festival to the fullest.