We are grateful for your participation in our tours in Asakusa and Ueno Park on March 12th. We welcomed 17 guests from Denmark, Germany, Romania, America, Philippines, Malayasia and Singapore. Some of our guests kindly joined both tours. The weather was great. The cherry blossoms are about to bloom, so it feels like the sky is getting brighter. As promised, the photos which we took during the tours have been posted. We hope they will be a part of your travel memories in Japan.
ASAKUSA TOUR
UENO PARK TOUR
Sensoji is Tokyo‘s oldest temple. As some of you may know, the Golden Dragon Dance, a biannual event, will be performed in the Sensoji Temple grounds on March 18th. It is a colorful, heroic, and magnificent dance.
The Golden Dragon Dance was first performed in 1958 to commemorate the reconstruction of the main hall of the Sensoji Temple. The origin of this performance is associated with the Temple’s foundation. The Kannon statue which represents Sensoji Temple’s main image, was taken from the Sumida River in 628, roughly 1,400 years ago. Since then, a golden dragon has been protecting it according to legend.
The Golden Dragon Dance is a carefully planned and orchestrated parade through the Nakamise Street along with lively children and geisha’s music. The highlight of the performance is the stunning dance that unfolds in front of the Sensoji Temple Main Hall after the parade. The eight local volunteers effortlessly manipulate the 18-meter-long, 88-kg golden dragon. The dance is truly breathtaking, brave and powerful that almost alive.
THE SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 18TH
The parade and the dragon dance will be held three times on March 18th. It will begin at 11:00am, 1:30pm and 2:45pm respectively. Each of the programs including the parade and dragon dance will last about 40-50 minutes.
・1st performance: 11:00am-11:50am Departing from the Kaminarimon Gate at 11:00am, finishing at the front yard of Sensoji Temple Main Hall around 11:50am
・2nd performance: 1:30pm-2:20pm Departing from the Denpoin Temple nearby at 1:30pm, finishing at the front yard of Sensoji Temple Main Hall around 2:20pm
・3rd performance: 2:45pm-3:30pm Departing from the Denpoin Temple nearby at 2:45 pm, finishing at the front yard of Sensoji Temple Main Hall around 3:30pm
If you happen to be in this area, be sure to stop by. The Golden Dragon Dance is performed twice a year, so if you miss the temple dance on March 18th, the next one will be on October 18th.
Tokyo Free Walking Tour is a volunteer group that is focused on small group tours with multiple guides. Our guides have a strong passion about our community, culture and history. Enjoy having a one-on-one conversation with them in a small group.
Again, thank you for your participation and we look forward to seeing you on many other occasions in the future.
(Yoshi)