Opening Ceremony for ‘Tokyo Wasshoi’ Festival Performance Event

Governor Koike attended the opening ceremony on September 12 for “Tokyo Wasshoi,” an event showcasing traditional performing arts and the highlights of well-known festivals from across Tokyo.

She was joined by Hayashiya Taihei, a popular rakugo comic storyteller, on a special stage set up on Gyoko-dori Avenue, which stretches from Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace grounds.

The governor said “Tokyo Wasshoi” was to be held for three days from this day, which marked the eve of the opening of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, enabling people to enjoy the festivals of Tokyo that are deeply rooted in the culture of Edo, the shogun-era name of the capital city.

“Edo-Tokyo has an abundance of festivals. We are offering you the chance to enjoy about 20 festivals with unique characteristics including Sanno Matsuri, Kanda Matsuri and Sanja Matsuri,” she said.

“Through this event, I hope you will experience the originality and diversity of festivals in Tokyo, and the splendor and depth of the Edo culture that we boast to the world.”