Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Hibiya Park Autumn Festival marked the 100^th anniversary of the park on Sunday with a colorful and spectacular celebration ahead of the renovation of Hibiya Concert Hall.

The annual festival put on a bright show for the 100th anniversary of Hibiya Park. On the program, there were shamisen performances, a Japanese drum (taiko) concert, yosakoi dance and many colorful kimonos. There were demonstrations onwearing kimonos and an exhibition of kimonos mostly from the Tokyo and Osaka regions.

The show was punctuated by pop and rock music, as well as a demonstration of choreography by cosplayers dressed as samurai with Japanese swords fighting a rabbit armed with two carrots. At the end of the event, the participants took to the stage waving Japanese flags to thank the audience for coming and a singer sang a song about impossible love.

TANAKA Kaho, a participant from Tokyo dressed in hakama told Arab News Japan she was delighted to participate in the ceremony for the first time, especially as it was the 100th anniversary of Hibiya Park.

Kaori, another Japanese from Tokyo, said she was not familiar with the place but knew that it was historic and hoped that the festival would carry on.

One of the organizers of the Hinomaru Executive Committee and the show said that there would be a show and a parade on March 20 next year before renovation work begins. The Hinomaru Committee promotes the Japanese flag and raises awareness of Japanese traditions through cultural events while organizing charity campaigns.