Shinjuku Eisa Festival

Eisa is a form of Okinawan dance usually performed to mark the end of the Obon period. Like all things Okinawan, it is loved and delighted in by the rest of the country to almost obsessive levels, and this Shinjuku parade proves a good example. 23 eisa dance troupes (at the time of writing) will take to the streets around Shinjuku Station to beat portable taiko drums and twirl their way through the crowds - a colourful and noisy event to brighten your weekend. Slap on the sun cream, grab yourself a handheld fan and get there early. It's guaranteed to be crowded.