Respect for the Aged Day (keirounohi) is a national holiday to remember and show respect for elders. There is commonly gift giving and local ceremonies throughout the country.

T.T., Sep.92 -- KAMAKURA'S HACHIMANGU FESTIVAL

This year's Hachimangu Omatsuri will be held on September 14-16 (Mon.-Wed.). Several sporting exhibitions and competitions will be performed with costumed participants reminding spectators of Japan's feudal days. Judo, kendo, horsemanship and archery will be displayed.

The 16th (Wednesday) is the culmination, to include a daring display of horseback archery (yabusame). This will start after 1 PM. To get to the festival take the JR Yokosuka Line (from either Tokyo or Shinagawa Stations) south to Kamakura. The Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is about a 5 minute walk from the station. (by Paul Abramson)

T.T., Sep.91 -- The Lazy Festival, ..ho, hum...

If you want to do something exciting, read no further. If, on the other hand, you're looking to slow down for some serious indolent procrastination, then this is the festival for you!

The "Lazy Festival" (Dara-dara Matsuri) is supposed to drag on for four days in the middle of September. But holding true to its name, it actually takes over eleven days for this festival to finally draw to its yawning (belated) conclusion. This year, from September 11th to the 21st this ( ... yawnnn, ...oh, excuse me) festival (also known as the Ginger-root Festival) will feature many stalls selling art, toys, f resh ginger, and flowers, between about 10a.m. to 5 p.m.. It may not be the most exciting festival of the year, but then that's not its name, now is it?

To get down to the festival (if you have time between naps), take the JR Yamanote Line to Hamamatsucho; or the Toei Asakusa Line to Daimon Station. The Shiba Dai Jingu Shrine, in Shiba Miyamoto-cho; is only a couple of blocks to the NW of the stations. And, ah...... don't hurry, be happy. (Paul Abramson)

T.T., Sep.92 -- THE LAZY FESTIVAL

Oh, don't get up. And try to stay kind of quiet while reading this. (Yawn.) The DaraDara Matsuri (Lazy Festival) is supposed to last 4 days. But, you know, why rush things. This 11 day festival is held at the Shiba Dai Jingu Shrine, in Minato-ku. Traditional crafts, art pieces, fresh ginger, flowers, and a variety of foods will be sold from the many temporary stalls. The festival hours are from about 10 AM to 5 PM each day, September 11 -21. (scratch, scratch) To, yawn... umm, get to the shrine take either the JR Yamanote Line to Hamamatsucho Station; or the Toei Asakusa Line to Daimon Station. The Shiba Dai Jingu Shrine is only a couple of blocks to the northwest of the nearby stations. (by Paul Abramson)