Event Info

GINZA WILLOW FESTIVAL 2016

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 when it was designated as a symbolic road of Tokyo.
We are holding the 10th 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), all the performers, and other individuals who are involved in running the festival.

This year, we chose a theme of “peace of mind” with the hope that everyone coming to Ginza to enjoy the Ginza Willow Festival can also experience the hospitality and communication that is distinctive of this district. We will be holding a grand parade and many events that day.
We hope you will come to Ginza and enjoy the Ginza Willow Festival.

Tokuni Yanagisawa, 10th Ginza Willow Festival Planning Committee

Event Information

10th Ginza Willow Festival
Time & Date: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2016 (holiday) *Some events will be canceled in the event of rain
Location: Nishi Ginza-dori and Sukiyabashi Park (2 locations)
Organizers: Ginza Association, Nishi Ginza-dori Association, 10th 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 10th 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

Event details

■ Traffic Safety Ginza Golden Parade

Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: 1- to 8-chome vehicle-free promenade

Grand parade by the Metropolitan Police Department / Tokyo Band Association.
See the phenomenal performance of the brass band and the baton twirling team based on themes of traffic safety and peace of mind.
Hello Kitty and Peko-chan will also make appearances on rickshaws.
All are welcome for this grand parade that will let you see, feel, and experience the charms of Ginza.

Scheduled participating organizations:
Hachiojigakuen Hachioji High School Wind Band, Senshu University Wind Orchestra, Rissho University Wind Orchestra, Nihon University Symphonic Band, Tokai University Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, Joint Adachi City Junior High School Brass Band, Seiryo Symphonic & Marching Band, Shutoku High School Brass Band, Senshu Brass Band, Kokushikan University Brass Band, Soka Shining Spirits, Kokugakuin University Wind Orchestra, Aoyama Gakuin University Student Union Wind Orchestra & Baton Twirling Club, Chuo City Municipal Nihonbashi Junior High School Brass Band, Musashino Junior High School & Senior High School Marching Band, Teikyo University Wind Orchestra, Joint Nerima City Junior/Senior High School Brass Band, Bunkyo Gakuin University Girls Senior High School, Katsushika Symphonic Wind Orchestra & Marching Band Blazing Ranks, Aesthetic Romany, Nihon University Sakuragaoka High School Brass and Marching Band & Baton Twirling Club, Nihon University Buzan High School Brass Band, Soka Renaissance Vanguard Junior, Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin Brass Band & Baton Twirling Club
(arbitrary order)

Parade Schedule

Concert Forest

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Chuo City Municipal Sukiyabashi Park (on the 5-chome side)

Performance by about 15 top bands from the Tokyo Band Association at Chuo City Municipal Sukiyabashi Park (on the 5-chome side).
Enjoy a powerful performance up close.

Scheduled participating organizations:
Juntoku Girls’ High School Brass Band, Joint Toyo Elementary School & Dai-nana Sunamachi Elementary School Band, Hamura City Municipal Hamura Dai-ichi Junior High School Brass Band, Itabashi City Municipal Akatsuka Dai-san Junior High School Brass Band, Adachi City Municipal Dai-ju-yon Junior High School Brass Band, Koshu City Shioyama Junior High School Brass Band, Ohnishi Gakuen Junior High School & High School Brass Band, Soka Gloria Wind Orchestra, Joint Tokyo Workplace Band Association Band, Senshu University Wind Orchestra, Rissho University Wind Orchestra, Nihon University Symphonic Band, Tokai University Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, Hachiojigakuen Hachioji High School Wind Band
(arbitrary order)
Concert Schedule

Traditional Play Space

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.

Hometown Tourism PR Campaign Traditional Dance Space

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:
Enshu Naruko Roman, Shurai Buyodan, Binamaity!, Hosei University Yosakoi Soran Circle Hoyoren, Maika, Marugoto Kochi Official Team, Dream Yosakoi Official Team
Performance schedule and performance team introductions

Hometown Tourism PR Campaign Hands-on Workshop Space

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 3-chome vehicle-free promenade

In this space, you can try Hachijo-daiko drumming and rice planting.
Travel to Hachijojima Island without leaving Ginza and see and touch specialties of Kasama City of Ibaraki Prefecture, surrounding yourself with an atmosphere that is different from everyday Ginza.

Scheduled participating organizations:
Kasama City (Ibaraki), Hachiojima Island (Tokyo)

Hometown Tourism PR Campaign Tourism Quiz Space

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 5-chome vehicle-free promenade

Mascots from around Japan will come to Nishi Ginza-dori.
Go around to all the publicity booths and answer a quiz to receive a wonderful gift.

Scheduled participating organizations:
Yamagata Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Kyoto City, Ibaraki Prefecture Itako City, Gunma Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, Akita Prefecture Odateshi City

*Photos are of last year’s events.

Tokyo Smart Driver PR Campaign

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 3-chome vehicle-free promenade

The volume of traffic accidents is sure to drop if each and every driver on the Tokyo Expressway considers the other drivers.
The Tokyo Smart Driver campaign aimed at reducing the number of accidents on the Tokyo Expressway with the power of communication is participating in the parade and events.

2016 Safe Driving Tokyo Campaign & Traffic Safety Campaign

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

Ginza Honeybee Festival

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 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.

Shinbashi Geisha Azuma Odori PR

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 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 PR):
From 2:15
From 2:45
From 3:15

*Photo is only illustrative.

Rickshaw rides

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.

Heaven Artists in Ginza

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:
Jubei Azabu, Norie Ansai, Eddie, Orgel Ningyo Olive, Shiva, China National Acrobatics Troupe, Tim Scanlan, Hikoichi Dango, Healthy Matsuda, Markamasis, Miyam, Monauralmini-Plug
(Japanese alphabetical order)

“Kodomo Airanda” Kids Road Art Project in Ginza

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 7-chome vehicle-free promenade

The “Kodomo Airanda” Kids Road Art Project event is a big hit every year.
Enjoy novel and moving art by children.

Presents of Ginza willow seedlings

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.

Event Map

Other events
Inquiries:
Ginza Willow Festival Office　Tel: 03-3562-0838

*In case of rain, some events will be canceled.
*Please note that street crossing by pedestrians will be restricted during the parade and some other events.
　For details, please contact the Ginza Willow Festival Office.