Coinciding with the Akasaka Hikawa festival held nearby, Akasaka Hikawa Shrine’s portable mikoshi shrines and elaborately decorated dashi carts are coming to Ark Hills for the first time ever for a special early-autumn matsuri experience. Expect Bon Odori dancing (6pm-8pm) and children’s mikoshi procession (11am-12noon) at Ark Karajan Place on Saturday, and savour festival grub from 12 popular Ark Hills restaurants. These restaurants are setting up stalls serving cuisines from around the world, with dishes such as tom yum noodles, butter chicken curry, tacos and more.
The highlight of the festival, however, will be the mikoshi and dashi processions on Sunday. The portable shrines will depart Ark Karajan Place at 1pm for a tour through Ark Hills and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The mountain-like dashi carts, which will come to Ark Hills for the first time, will arrive from Akasaka Hikawa Shrine at 4pm before making its return trip 30 minutes later.