Japan has four distinct seasons, each one of which causes scenery to change. The following is an introduction to famous sites in the city, local events and traditional Japanese customs associated with each season.

March to May

○March 3
Doll Festival Flower-Viewing
○Beginning of April
School/Company Entrance Ceremonies
○Mid-April
Peony-Viewing at Yakuouin Temple
○Late April to the Beginning of May
Azalea Festival at Kaichu Inari Jinja Shrine
○May 5
“Tango no Sekku” (Boy’s Day)

▲Yakuouin Temple

●Doll Festival (March 3)
“Hina Matsuri” Doll Festival is called “Momo-no Sekku (Peach Festival).” It is an important event from long ago, celebrated with hopes for the healthy growth of girls. People enjoy decorating their home with “ohina-sama” dolls, and sometimes people let “ohina-sama” dolls float down the river as a symbol of purifying themselves for the year.

▲Doll Festival

●Flower-Viewing (Late March through Early April)
The Japanese people have loved the cherry blossom flower since ancient days. People watch cherry blossoms when they are in full bloom. Some people view the flowers while eating and drinking with friends and coworkers to deepen friendly ties.
Shinjuku Chuo Park, around Hakoneyama, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and along the Kanda-gawa River in Nishi-Waseda and along Sotobori are popular places for flower-viewing in Shinjuku City. During cherry blossom season, these locations are always crowded with people.

▲Cherry blossom trees along the Kanda-gawa River

●“Tango-no Sekku”
Boys’ Day (May 5)
“Tango-no Sekku” is an event celebrated for the healthy growth of boys. People decorate their homes with “yomogi” fennel and irises to drive out evil, and set up festive “koi-nobori” carp streamers.

[▲Left to Right]Ornamental “Kabuto” Armor／“Koi-Nobori” Carp Streamers

June to August

○June
Rainy Season
○Early June
Japanese-Language Speech Contest –“Shabereon”
○July 7
“Tanabata” Star Festival
○Mid-July
Kagurazaka Festival
Shinjuku Chuo Park “Jabu-Jabu” Splash Pond Opens
○Late July
Shinjuku Eisa Festival at Shinjuku-dori Avenue, etc.
○Early August
Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival

▲Jingu Gaien Fireworks Festival

●Japanese-Language Speech Contest – “Shabereon”
Contestants display the results of their Japanese-language studies in front of a large audience. After the contest, there is a friendly gathering where new friends can be made!
Come and join in the fun!

[▲Left to Right]Japanese-Language Speech Contest／Shinjuku Eisa Festival

[▲Left to Right]Kagurazaka Festival＜Kagurazaka “Awa-Odori” Dancing＞／Kagurazaka Festival＜“Hozuki” Festival＞

●“Tanabata” Star Festival (July 7)
This is an annual event that originated from an old Japanese legend in which Hikoboshi and Orihime, who are separated from each other as they live on different sides of a river, meet once a year on the night of July 7. This event is celebrated by writing down wishes on colorful “tanzaku” cards and hanging them on a bamboo branch and hope for Orihime and Hiukoboshi to grant their wishes.

[▲Left to Right]“Tanabata” Star Festival bamboo leaf-like ornaments／Shinjuku Chuo Park “Jabu-Jabu” Splash Pond