Samba dancers from the Brazilian Embassy and Namahage from Akita Prefecture make an appearance!

The annual parade, a staple of the "Aoyama Festival," is held every year. This year, embassies from countries including Brazil, Canada, Italy, the Philippines, Croatia, and Ghana have announced their participation, united in their wish for the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Furthermore, people from the disaster-stricken regions of Fukushima, Miyagi, and Ibaraki prefectures will participate, along with the Morioka Sansa Odori dance from Iwate Prefecture and the "Namahage" from Akita Prefecture, making for a grand event.



The "Aoyama World Parade" will start at 2 PM on Saturday the 22nd, following an opening ceremony at 1 PM in front of the Honda Aoyama Building at Aoyama-Itchome. Amidst 120 banners designed by young artists with the theme "Revive Japan" fluttering from the lampposts along Aoyama-dori, participants will make their way vibrantly along the 2.3-kilometer route to Omotesando Aoyama Rise Square.

The parade will feature the Metropolitan Police Department's Mounted Police, the US Army Garrison Japan Band, a rhythmic samba team organized by the Brazilian Embassy, which has its embassy in Aoyama, and a drum corps, followed by teams from various embassies with their unique creations and convertibles. Additionally, people from the disaster-stricken regions and local Aoyama residents will march along Aoyama-dori to the beat of Japanese drums, holding banners that read "Revive Japan."



In addition to the parade, the "Reconstruction Support Aoyama World Market" will be held on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd from 11 AM to 6 PM at the Ginkgo Avenue in front of the Art Museum and at CI Plaza. Local shops and companies, as well as this year's product offerings from eight prefectures in the Tohoku region and participating embassies, will create a more vibrant open-air market than in previous years.



Furthermore, there will be a packed schedule including "BOSSA AOYAMA 2011," featuring free bossa nova concerts at eight venues such as Harajuku Church and CI Plaza, a "Biotop Workshop," and live performances and stage events at the special stage at CI Plaza.



With the pleasant weather of this season, why not enjoy a day in autumn at the Aoyama Festival, rich in international and local color?




Aoyama World Parade

Date & Time: Saturday, October 22nd, starting at 1 PM

Location: From HONDA Aoyama Headquarters at the Aoyama-Itchome intersection to Aoyama Gakuin University

http://aoyama-matsuri.jp/