HOJ - Hang out in Japan - History, Art and Walking

※This event will be conducted in Japanese and English.
🔶Meeting Point:
歌舞伎座地下の木挽町広場
https://www.kabuki-za.co.jp/guide/kobikihiroba.html
🔶Participation Fee:
500yen (Please bring a single 500yen coin.)
🔶Description:
This is a walk to view the "Jiguchi Andon" lanterns, an annual February event coloring the outer perimeter of the Kabukiza Theatre, at night.
Jiguchi Andon are humorous paper lanterns featuring puns (jiguchi) and puzzle pictures related to Kabuki actors and plays. This stylish play full of Edo atmosphere, filled with expectations and respect for the year's performances, illuminates the night in Ginza.
The sight of the massive Kabukiza building and the gentle washi paper light of the lanterns lined up in the darkness of the night is extremely fantastic. You can experience the special atmosphere only available at this time of year, where the world of traditional performing arts and the modern night view of Ginza intersect.
It is a stylish night moment to feel the depth of Japanese traditional culture while deciphering the humor and artistry depicted on each lantern.
After visiting the main venue, Kabuki Inari Shrine, and strolling around Kabukiza, I plan to stop by a minor shrine (one that doesn't even participate in the Ginza Eight Shrines Pilgrimage).
Explanation of Jiguchi Andon
https://www.kabuki-bito.jp/special/theater/thatrecolumn/post-vol1/

※This event will be conducted in Japanese and English.
🔶Meeting Point:
Sakura Cafe & Restaurant Nippori
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MkuQENjWm6VxG1bf9
🔶Participation Fee:
500yen (Please bring a single 500yen coin.)
🔶Description:
International Cafe Sakura Cafe Nippori https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131106/13210634
It is a 24-hour international cafe. You can enjoy world home-cooked dishes, sweets, and drinks taught by guests from 100 countries, as well as over 80 kinds of world beers. Would you like to relax and enjoy a cafe, meal, and conversation here?

🔶Meeting Point:

フーテンの寅像と見送るさくら像付近
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KnJX78CFUyEGxARG7

🔶Participation Fee:

500yen (Please bring a single 500yen coin.)

🔶Description:
Once every 60 days! Let's visit Shibamata Taishakuten on "Koshin Day"!
https://katsushika.mypl.net/article/report_katsushika/86414

As mentioned in the article, Shibamata Taishakuten becomes a temple fair (ennichi) on "Koshin Day," which occurs once every 60 days. Let's enjoy the fair as there's lots to enjoy! It happens about six times a year, but it's rare for it to fall on a weekend (only once or twice a year).

It seems there is also a special Goshuin (seal) limited to Koshin Day ☺

We also plan to walk around Shibamata, centered around Shibamata Taishakuten. We may not visit all locations, but some facilities have an admission fee:

Suikei-en Garden and Sculpture Gallery
https://www.taishakuten.com/suikeien-garden
400 yen

Yamamoto-tei
https://www.katsushika-kanko.com/yamamoto/
100 yen

※This event will be conducted in Japanese and English.
🔶Meeting Point:
恵比寿ガーデンプレイス　東京都写真美術館
https://maps.app.goo.gl/srG1QtEwZcMeLPKS8
🔶Participation Fee:
500yen (Please bring a single 500yen coin.)
🔶Description:
Would you like to go to the Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions 2026 (admission free) held at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum? Since we will be casually looking around, I recommend going individually if you "want to look closely at the works" or "want to see everything."
The museum closes at 8 PM, so afterward, we will stroll around the venues near the museum and conclude.
\ This is an international festival of film and art held primarily at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, Ebisu Garden Place, and surrounding facilities. The festival brings together a wide range of cutting-edge works in expression, including films, installations, and media art. Through ambitious works by domestic and international artists, we will explore the role of video in contemporary society and the possibilities of expression brought about by technology.
There are many free admission programs, making it a valuable opportunity to touch upon the current state and future perspective of visual expression. Please enjoy this special period when the entire town of Ebisu becomes an art space.
\ https://topmuseum.jp/contents/exhibition/index-5091.html *Admission is free