Page 34 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

32  INTRODUCING T OK Y O

Average monthly rainfall
Rainfall Chart
mm Inches
300 12 Tokyo’s rainy season
lasts all through
240 June and into the
9 early days of July.
180 September and
6 October typhoons
120 can bring squalls.
3 Fall is generally
60 a dry season. April
has unpredictable
0 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec rain showers.

Fall
Although the summer heat
continues into September,
fall is a gentle season, with
many fine, clear days and little
rainfall. The ginkgo leaf is the
symbol of Tokyo and avenues
of the yellow-leaved trees can
be seen throughout the city.
Chrysanthemum festivals are
held in temples and gardens.
Open-air food stands called
yatai, and convenience stores Women in traditional costumes at the Jidai Matsuri Festival
start to prepare oden (mixed
hotpot) toward the end of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu November
the season signaling cooler Festival (Sep 14–16). Horseback Tokyo Designer’s Week (early
days to come. archery and a procession of Nov). Art enclaves dotted
floats draw a large crowd to this around the city showcase
important Kamakura shrine. the latest trends in the field
Ningyo-Kuyo (late Sep). of fashion, video graphics,
Hopeful couples pray for furniture, and interior design.
children by offering dolls Tokyo Jidai Matsuri (Festival of
at the Kiyomizu Kannon-do the Ages, Nov 3). Locals in period
temple in Ueno Park. Priests costumes representing figures
make a ritual fire, placing from Japanese history parade
last year’s dolls on the pyre. around Asakusa’s Senso-ji
temple. This is a great
October photo opportunity.
Oeshiki Festival (Oct Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-
11–13). A Buddhist Three Children’s Festival,
festival, held at Ike- Nov 15). Children of
gami Honmonji these ages are dressed
Temple, commem- up in kimonos for
orating the death visits to shrines in
of Saint Nichren. appreciation of their
Tokyo International health and to pray for
Film Festival (late Oct). further blessings.
Visitors try the latest technology at the The largest in Asia, International Robot
Tokyo Game Show the focus is on films Exhibition (late Nov to
from Asia and Japan. early Dec, alternate, odd-
September Chrysanthemum numbered years). Billed as
Tokyo Game Show (mid-Sep). Viewing (late Oct– the world’s largest
Held at the gigantic mid-Nov). Chrysanthe- Sony’s humanoid trade show focusing
convention center at mum pavilions are robot exhibit on robotics, it brings
Makuhari Messe on Tokyo Bay, erected in Shinjuku together an exciting
the three-day event attracts Gyoen Garden; flower dolls are array of the latest in technology
thousands of visitors. displayed at Yushima Tenjin shrine. and products.

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