27th and 28th September 2008: The 18th Shinagawa Shukuba Festival --- in Shinagawa ward

Shinagawa-juku (Shinagawa Shukuba: Shinagawa post station) was the most important station on the routes from the city of Edo, and the first station on Tokai Road (the eastern sea road of Japan). This festival is held every September, to commemorate the history of the post station and to revitalise Shinagawa area where its cultural heritage has been preserved.

The festival was accessible about 5-minute walk from Shinbaba Station on Keihin Kyuko Line, mainly along the Former Tokaido Road, presenting various events and booths. The highlight of the festival is an Edo period costume parade started from Yatsuyama area, which is explained through the photos below.

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Left: Red and white cluster amaryllis of Seiseki Park ,Middle and Right: Marching band of Shinagawa Joshi Gakuin


Left, Middle and Right: Powerful performance by totally 200 members of the band


Left: Performance by JAL stewardesses, Middle: Girl Scout, Right: Rickshaw pullers


Left: Photo taken with Hamano mayor of Shinagawa Ward, dressed in Mitokomon costume,
Middle: Palanquin bearer, Right: Miss Shinagawa


Left: Soji Okita and Isami Kondo of Sinsengumi (a group of samurai warriors),
Middle: Traditional fireman and traveler,
Right: Shirabyoshi (female court dancer) in Kamakura period and Shizuka-Gozen


Go as-- Left: A famous TV comedian, Ken Shimura, Middle: Atsuhime (Princess　Atsu, wife of Tokugawa Iesada),
which life story is currently broadcast in NHK, Right: Shooters


Left: Students of Kimono Gakuin, beautifully dressed in their Kimono, Middle: Benkei (a legendary warrior),
Right: Children dressed in Judo clothing


Left: Awa Dance by Shinagawa locals, Middle: Chorus leaders of big drums,
Right: street picture-story show, playing ‘Golden Bat’


Left: Reproduced former rest places for travelers, Right: and bustling booths on Former Tokai Road

Map: Seiseki Park, Yatsu-Yama in Kita-Shinagawa on Former Tokai Road and Aomono-Yokocho in Minami-Shinagawa area

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