Event Info

The 11th Ginza Willow Festival

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 11th 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 “hope” with the wish 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, 11th Ginza Willow Festival Planning Committee

Event Information

11th Ginza Willow Festival
Time & Date: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, May 5, 2017 (holiday) *Some events will be canceled in the event of bad weather
Location: Nishi-ginza-dori, Sukiyabashi Park (2 locations), various buildings around Nishi-ginza-dori
Organizers: Ginza Association, Nishi Ginza Dori Association, 11th 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 11th 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 and 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
Joint Adachi City Junior High School Brass Band, Joint Nerima City Junior/Senior High School Brass Band, Chuo City Municipal Nihonbashi Junior High School Brass Band, Hachiojigakuen Hachioji High School Wind Band, Nihon University Tsurugaoka Senior High School Brass Band, Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin Brass Band & Baton Twirling Club, Seiryo Symphonic & Marching Band, Musashino Junior High School & Senior High School Marching Band, Shutoku High School Brass Band, Nihon University Buzan High School Brass Band, Komazawa University High School Brass Band, Aoyama Gakuin University Student Union Wind Orchestra & Baton Twirling Club, Kokugakuin University Wind Orchestra, Kokushikan University Brass Band, Senshu University Wind Orchestra, Rissho University Wind Orchestra, Tokai University Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, Nihon University Symphonic Band, Senshu Brass Band, The Crazy Angel Company, Katsushika Symphonic Wind Orchestra & Marching Band Blazing Ranks, Soka Shining Spirits, Soka Renaissance Vanguard Junior
(arbitrary order)

Parade Schedule

Concert Forest

Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Sukiyabashi Park (on the 5-chome side)

Performances by Taimei Elementary School Brass Band and about 15 top bands selected from the Tokyo Band Association at the Sukiyabashi Park (on the 5-chome side).
Enjoy powerful performances up close.

Scheduled participating organizations
Chuo City Municipal Taimei Elementary School Brass Band, Joint Tokyo Elementary Schools Band, Itabashi City Municipal Akatsuka Dai-san Junior High School Brass Band, Adachi City Municipal Dai-ju-yon Junior High School Brass Band, Nerima City Municipal Kaishin Dai-ni Junior High School Band, Juntoku Girls’ High School Brass Band, Hachiojigakuen Hachioji High School Wind Band, Teikyo University Wind Orchestra, Tokai University Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, Nihon University Symphonic Band, Rissho University Wind Orchestra, Joint Tokyo Workplace Band Association Band, Soka Gloria Wind Orchestra, Ohnishi Gakuen Junior High School & High School Brass Band, Koshu City Shioyama Junior High School Brass 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.

Hello Kitty appearance: (1) 2:30 p.m. (2) 4:00 p.m.
Peko-chan appearance: (1) 3:00 p.m. (2) 4:30 p.m.

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
Shurai Buyodan, Dream Yosakoi Official Team, Binamaity!, Hosei University Yosakoi Soran Circle Hoyoren, Yosakoi Kashiwa Kurenai Juku, Marugoto Kochi 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

Space for experiencing activities such as rice planting and taiko drums with all five senses.
Encounter culture and local specialties from different prefectures while still within Ginza, surrounding yourself with an atmosphere that is different from Ginza in regular times.

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

Publicity groups from places all over Japan gather here on Nishi-ginza-dori, with local mascots making appearances at the publicity booths.
Answer the quizzes for each participating group and visit the showroom to receive a wonderful gift.

Scheduled participating organizations
Iwate Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Mito City in Ibaraki Prefecture, Itako City in Ibaraki Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Kyoto City, and Kumamoto Prefecture

*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.

2017 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

Shimbashi Geisha Azuma Odori

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 publicity)
From 2:15 p.m.
From 2:45 p.m.
From 3:15 p.m.

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.

Ginza Honeybee Festival

Time: 2:00 to 3:00 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.

*May finish earlier than 3:00 p.m.

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
Shigemi Uchida, Enishi, Princess Odette, Object Theater Dipadlo Ano, Ori-Toshi, Eisuke Saito, The Worthless, SUKE3 & SYU, Seiron, China National Acrobatics Troupe, Hayatonnu…, and Toshi Yamada
(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

This event is a huge success every year and became even more dynamic last year with the addition of color.

Yokoso Ginza

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 8-chome vehicle-free promenade

Yokoso Ginza will be held for the second time this year.
Performers will welcome visitors to Ginza with the vibrant songs and dances of Ginza-related “Ginza Ondo” and “Gujo Odori” that will be performed by dancers from Gujo Hachiman for the first time of this year.

Performance schedule
2:00 p.m.: Ginza Ondo (dance)
3:00 p.m.: Gujo Odori (dance)

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

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