Fukuro Festival

About this event

The "Fukuro Festival" held in Toshima Ward is a traditional festival conducted in two parts. In Part 1, the "Festival of Portable Shrines" (Mikoshi Festival) is held featuring 15 portable shrines, with the "Grand Night Mikoshi Parade" being a particular highlight. In Part 2, the "Festival of Dance" is held, featuring performances of Kappore, Sado Okesa, and Ikebukuro Yassa dances, culminating in the finale, the "Tokyo Yosakoi Contest." This festival attracts many people as an event where they can enjoy the local vitality and seasonal atmosphere. In particular, this 59th edition is expected to be a massive festival bringing together 3,000 people for the mikoshi and 5,000 people for yosakoi. The festival has a long history continuing since 1968, developing into a major event where the community and people unite. Events making the most of their unique characteristics will be held across multiple venues around Ikebukuro Station, including the Ikebukuro West Exit Station Square. For instance, in yosakoi, teams will perform at a total of 8 venues, including 6 venues at Ikebukuro West Exit, Otsuka Station Plaza, and Sugamo Station Plaza. Student teams are provided performance opportunities at prime spots in front of Ikebukuro Station, and the festival also carries an academic aspect, with the president of Rikkyo University serving as chief judge. Yosakoi features stationary dance (tachi-odori) and procession dance (nagashi-odori), each with distinct highlights. Recommended viewing spots are Global Ring at West Exit Park for stationary dance and Azalea Street for procession dance. In addition, attention should be paid to the festival costume "hanten" (traditional short coats). Neighborhood association hanten can be made of cotton starting from the 10,000 yen range, and synthetic fibers starting from the 40,000 yen range, bearing various meanings such as family crests drawn on the back and marks on the hanten of tobi firefighters indicating roles and assigned districts.

Venue

Ikebukuro West Exit Station Square

1-19-1 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0021