Latest Events in Hachioji(August Updated)

Philadelphia-born Man Ray (1890-1976) was an American visual artist who was ranked among the top 25 most influential artists of the 20th century. Having played a major, but informal, role in the Dada and Surrealist movements, he created major works in a variety of media—from film and photography to collage and objet d’art—he prided himself foremost as a painter. Man Ray the person was mirthful and likeable, claiming friendship with individuals with highly diverse and divergent views. Featuring Man Ray pieces in the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum collection along with those on loan from renowned Man Ray collector Teruo Ishihara, the exhibition explores the life and legacy of the artistic genius as well as his endearing humanity.

Mitsuaki Iwago’s World “Cats” Travelogue is a long-running NHK BS Premium program relished by cat lovers all over Japan. This exhibition shows photographs taken in fifteen locations in Japan carefully selected from that program.With the natural climate of each location in the background, the lifestyle of cats and people living in various parts of Japan are introduced. The exhibits are all new works taken in recent years. Come and find your favorite shot.

Located in Tokyo, 599 meters above sea level, Mount Takao is a natural oasis that attracts about 3 million visitors every year. The annual Spring Festival is a major event held at the temple by Takao san Yakuo. A special Goma fire ceremony and ascetic training are held at the Yakuo main hall of the temple, and a Goma fire ceremony is held at the Yuxian Pagoda. Children in fancy dress parade from the cable car station halfway up the mountain to the temple, and a crowd of tourists watch their arrival. It feels like a classic picture of spring on Mount Takao. Enjoy the richness of nature and the colorful celebrations.

As part of the Hachioji Festival, the annual summer event, the Hachioji Fireworks Festival, takes place. The launch site is Fujimori Park, a favorite recreational spot for the people of Hachioji. You can get up close to watch the approximately 4,000 large-scale fireworks that light up the summer night sky, and feel the stunning sound of the fireworks. A wide variety of fireworks, including starlight fireworks, are a delight to the eyes. The gorgeous fireworks light up the night sky of Hachioji, and you can enjoy the fireworks up close from the viewing area.

Hachioji Matsuri is held in Hachioji City and is one of the larger float festivals, with many floats parading around, as well as Kanto Taiko drums, traditional lion dances, and more. The Hachioji Matsuri is said to be one of the best float festivals in the Kanto region, with 19 floats decorated with intricate carvings. During the night parade, the floats are illuminated, creating a completely different fantasy scene from the daytime parade, which is worth seeing. Other traditional cultures that Hachioji is proud of include the lion dance, which has been designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Hachioji City and has been passed down at the city's shrines, the Kanto Taiko drum battle that echoes in the summer sky, and the folk dance "Nagashi" where dancers in yukata gather on the streets of Koshu.

Autumn is one of the best times to visit Japan, with the beautiful red landscapes and falling leaves you can imagine. But ginkgo trees are also fairly common throughout the country, and in Hachioji in late November you’ll have the chance to admire over 4km of them. The trees were planted during the Showa period, when the city began to expand, and they line the road between Hachioji and Mount Takao. This will be a great day out for the whole family, as you’ll see festival food stalls selling local goods, as well as a variety of events including a market and classic car parade, and ‘Sekisho Orienteering’, where participants can use their Tsuta Tegata pass to pass through the traditional Sekisho checkpoints in celebration of this ancient custom.