2. Enjoy Spectacular Foliage
Don’t miss the Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens in the fall!
Located in central Tokyo and home to as many as 480 maple trees, the Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is known for its majestic beauty. Especially when the leaves turn color, Daisensui, Togetsukyo, and Oigawa, the gardens’ miniature replications of famous sites, are must-visit places. An array of events will be held from late November to early December.
(1) Date
From Saturday, November 21 to Sunday, December 6
(2) Program
<1> Traditional Edo marionette play
Edo marionette play
Date/time:
Sunday, Nov. 22, from 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (about 30 minutes each) *To be cancelled in case of rain or strong wind
Location:
Pine grove
Program:
Puppets operated by strings dance gracefully in the traditional “Edo Ito Ayatsuri Ningyo (Edo String Marionette).”
Puppeteer:
Mitsuru Kamijo
<2> Tea ceremony (Sekishu school)
Tea ceremony (2014)
Tea ceremony in English (2014)
Date/time:
Sunday, Nov. 29
from 11 a.m., 12 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
(about 45 minutes each)
The 3 p.m. session will be performed in English.
Location:
Kantoku-tei hall
Program:
Participants can watch the preparation of tea and enjoy “matcha” green tea.
Fee:
Free (Gardens admission fee required)
Cooperation by:
Eda Roshin (Grand Tea Master of Rinsenji group of Sekishu school), Eda Rogetsu tea master and students Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens Preservation Society
Registration starts one hour before each session, and the first 25 registrants can participate (15 people for 3 p.m.).
<3> “Yukitsuri” traditional tree protection
Yukitsuri (2014)
Date/time:
Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (about 60 minutes each) *To be cancelled in case of rain
Location:
Hitotsu-matsu, Yoseki stone
Program:
“Yukitsuri” (traditional method of rope supports to protect trees from snow) with explanation of the technique in Japanese
<4> Edo-Daikagura performances
Edo-Daikagura
Date/time:
Sunday, Dec. 6, from 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (about 30 minutes each) *To be cancelled in case of rain
Location:
Pine grove
Program:
Traditional performances dating back to the Edo period
Performers:
Maruichi Senoh troupe
<5> Guided tour
Guided tour
Program:
Tour the gardens with volunteer guides
Japanese
Date/time:
Every day from Nov. 21 to Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (about 60 minutes each) *To be cancelled in case of rain
Meeting place:
Weeping Cherry Square
English
Date/time:
Every Saturday, from 10 a.m. (about 60 minutes) *To be cancelled in case of rain
Meeting place:
Weeping Cherry Square
<6> Plant fair
Plant fair
Date/hour:
Every day from Nov. 21 to Dec. 6 except for Tuesdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. *To be cancelled in case of rain
Location:
Pine grove
Program:
Plants for sale
<7> Sale of Mito specialties and snacks/drinks
Gift shop
Date/hour:
Every day from Nov. 21 to Dec. 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. *To be cancelled in case of rain
Location:
Pine grove / gift shop near Garden Office
Program:
Sale of snacks/drinks, as well as specialties of Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
