Tokyo: Akabane Baka Matsuri Festival with Locals

Join the locals in a traditional festival in Tokyo. Wear a Happi festival costume and parade around the city and doing crazy dances together. After the festival, enjoy a chilled drink.

About 500 years ago, a Samurai warrior named Ota Dokan built a castle in Akabane, Tokyo. This was the beginning of Tokyo. Dokan was a military leader who excelled in both literary and military arts, and is said to have popularized games such as orchestral music among the local people.

The first Akabane Baka Matsuri (Akabane Fool's Festival) was held on April 1, 1956, by local store owners to commemorate Dosan's great deeds and to “bring a festival to the residents of Akabane as well”.

The festival begins with marching performances, followed by fool dancing, cosplay, portable shrines, and a variety of other groups. The festival is one of the largest events in Tokyo, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

This is a rare opportunity to have fun with local people! After the festival, Kanpai with a chilled beer in the deep drinking area!

This area is lined with stores called "Senbero". What is a "Senbero"? It means that for only 1,000 yen (US$7), you can drink until you are completely drunk. But, you don't need to be afraid. The area is very safe and there is even an elementary school in "Senbero". Once you set foot in this deep area, you will be hooked. Why not discover the real Japan in a place still unknown to overseas travelers?