The 40th Kawanote Arakawa Festival Was Held!
The 40th Kawanote Arakawa Festival, Arakawa Ward's largest event, was successfully held at Minamisenju Baseball Stadium, drawing large crowds. The 47th Commercial Festival by the Arakawa Ward Shopping Street Federation was also held concurrently, contributing to local economic revitalization and strengthening partnerships with sister cities.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 03:08
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 18:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 18:42 (11 min after Collected)
Today, April 29th (Wednesday, public holiday), Arakawa Ward's largest event, the "40th Kawanote Arakawa Festival," was held at Minamisenju Baseball Stadium.
The "Kawanote Arakawa Festival" is held annually, organized by the Kawanote Arakawa Festival Executive Committee, composed of local residents' associations and various other organizations, and Arakawa Ward. This year marked its 40th anniversary. On the day of the event, the "47th Commercial Festival" by the Arakawa Ward Shopping Street Federation was held concurrently, with over 90 booths participating. In the "Furusato Market," a specialty products corner featuring Arakawa Ward's partner cities, 22 partner cities sold their local products, making it an event full of fun for both children and adults. Additionally, as a 40th-anniversary commemorative project, a "Furusato Lottery" where participants could win specialty products from partner cities and stage shows were held, and commemorative wet wipes featuring Ara-bo and Ara-mii were distributed to visitors.
[Scenes from the Day]
Prior to the opening ceremony, a parade featuring marching bands primarily composed of children took place. Led by the Kitatoshima Junior & Senior High School Baton Club, the brass bands of Daiichi Junior High School and Minamisenju Daini Junior High School, along with local traffic youth groups and fire youth groups, a parade of 10 groups and approximately 300 members marched energetically.
At the opening ceremony, Mayor Gaku Takiguchi delivered an address, stating, "The Kawanote Arakawa Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. I believe that this long history has been built upon the heartwarming people with downtown charm coming together, embracing their community, and uniting to make it a success."
On the stage, elementary school students performed HIPHOP dances, while local circles and groups showcased Hula dances, baton twirling, and Wadaiko (Japanese drums). Additionally, a "Yoshimoto Comedy Live" show was held as a commemorative stage event, bringing great excitement to the venue.
At the "Furusato Market," where partner cities from all over Japan exhibited, fresh agricultural products and specialty items were lined up, including semi-dried shishamo from Hiroo Town, Hokkaido, specialty products made with peaches from Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, and local sake from Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, attracting long queues of visitors. In the "Furusato Lottery," many people participated, hoping to win specialty products from partner cities. Ms. Tomomi Saito, a resident of Arakawa Ward, commented, "I come to the Kawanote Arakawa Festival every year. It's fun to buy so many specialty products from various parts of Japan."
Furthermore, the annual popular "Mini Sumida River" featured loach catching. Children leaned forward, eagerly chasing loaches, enjoying an experience they rarely get elsewhere.
At the concurrently held Commercial Festival by the Arakawa Ward Shopping Street Federation, various booths such as "Bazaar" and "Mock Stores" were bustling with visitors. In the lottery on stage, visitors cheered and gasped as winning numbers were read out.
The "Kawanote Arakawa Festival" is held annually, organized by the Kawanote Arakawa Festival Executive Committee, composed of local residents' associations and various other organizations, and Arakawa Ward. This year marked its 40th anniversary. On the day of the event, the "47th Commercial Festival" by the Arakawa Ward Shopping Street Federation was held concurrently, with over 90 booths participating. In the "Furusato Market," a specialty products corner featuring Arakawa Ward's partner cities, 22 partner cities sold their local products, making it an event full of fun for both children and adults. Additionally, as a 40th-anniversary commemorative project, a "Furusato Lottery" where participants could win specialty products from partner cities and stage shows were held, and commemorative wet wipes featuring Ara-bo and Ara-mii were distributed to visitors.
[Scenes from the Day]
Prior to the opening ceremony, a parade featuring marching bands primarily composed of children took place. Led by the Kitatoshima Junior & Senior High School Baton Club, the brass bands of Daiichi Junior High School and Minamisenju Daini Junior High School, along with local traffic youth groups and fire youth groups, a parade of 10 groups and approximately 300 members marched energetically.
At the opening ceremony, Mayor Gaku Takiguchi delivered an address, stating, "The Kawanote Arakawa Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. I believe that this long history has been built upon the heartwarming people with downtown charm coming together, embracing their community, and uniting to make it a success."
On the stage, elementary school students performed HIPHOP dances, while local circles and groups showcased Hula dances, baton twirling, and Wadaiko (Japanese drums). Additionally, a "Yoshimoto Comedy Live" show was held as a commemorative stage event, bringing great excitement to the venue.
At the "Furusato Market," where partner cities from all over Japan exhibited, fresh agricultural products and specialty items were lined up, including semi-dried shishamo from Hiroo Town, Hokkaido, specialty products made with peaches from Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, and local sake from Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, attracting long queues of visitors. In the "Furusato Lottery," many people participated, hoping to win specialty products from partner cities. Ms. Tomomi Saito, a resident of Arakawa Ward, commented, "I come to the Kawanote Arakawa Festival every year. It's fun to buy so many specialty products from various parts of Japan."
Furthermore, the annual popular "Mini Sumida River" featured loach catching. Children leaned forward, eagerly chasing loaches, enjoying an experience they rarely get elsewhere.
At the concurrently held Commercial Festival by the Arakawa Ward Shopping Street Federation, various booths such as "Bazaar" and "Mock Stores" were bustling with visitors. In the lottery on stage, visitors cheered and gasped as winning numbers were read out.