TFM Events Calander - Mar/Apr 2006

Event Calendar - March/April 2006

Date	Event
March 3rd	Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival) The Hinamatsuri is celebrated throughout the country. A set of Hina-Ningyo dolls and miniature household articles, arranged on a tier of shelves, is displayed in the living room of practically every home blessed with young daughters. The town of Katsuura in Chiba will have more than 20,000 Ohinasama displayed through March 5th.
March 3rd & 4th	Daruma-ichi at Jindaiji, Chofu The Daruma is probably Japan’s best-known folk toy. His name is short for Bodhidharma, a Buddhist priest from India who lived in the sixth century. Legends say that Bodhidharma sat absolutely still and meditated for nine years. He didn’t move at all, and after nine years he found he had lost the use of his arms and legs. This festival is the start of spring: People purchase Daruma for good luck and make a wish by painting in the Daruma’s right pupil . If your wish comes true, then you would paint in the left pupil to thank Daruma.
March 10th & 11th	Tokyo Union Church Flea Market, Shibuya-ku The Women’s Society of the Tokyo Union Church will hold their annual Flea Market on Friday, March 10th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Saturday, March 11th from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Saturday is Bargain Bag Sale day. Donations of GENTLY used clothing and small household items will be accepted from March 6th - 8th. (Tokyo Union Church is located at 5-7-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. The nearest subway station is, Omotesando, Exit A1.)For more information: call 090-7945-6232 or email tucws@gol.com.
March 12th	Daihiwatarisai at Mt. Takao, Hachioji Annual fire walking festival held by Bhuddist monks to bring good luck and safety. The monks are the first to run and jump over a fire with bare feet, then others can try it! If you wish to visit the top of the mountain (599m), take the cable car and walk for about 40 minutes.
April 9th	25th Anniversary Hippo Forum, Tokyo Kokusai Forum Hall A HIPPO Family Club, is an international organization of families from all over the world who gather for fun activities while learning new languages. The slogan of HIPPO is “Anyone Can Speak 7 Languages!” Club members naturally acquire multiple languages (Spanish, Korean, English, Japanese, German, Turkish, etc.) through family and community based activities. For more information, see http://www.lexhippo.co.jp. The forum will be held from 13:30-16:00. Admission is free.
April 22nd	T.I.S. Cherry Blossom Fair, Mita Tokyo International School will host a fun family fair at their campus, with lots of games,raffle, and a variety of international food.
April	Cherry Blossom (Ohanami) The cherry blossom (sakura) is the national flower of Japan and is the favorite of most Japanese. From March to April, parties known as hanami (flower viewing) are held in the open air under the blossoms.