The "Bungo Festival: Kagurazaka x Bunkyo: A Town Loved by Literary Masters" will be held in Tokyo's Kagurazaka district from October 12th to October 19th.
This event aims to rediscover the charms of Kagurazaka, beloved by numerous literary masters such as Natsume Soseki and Mori Ogai, as well as Bunkyo Ward. During the festival, 244 lanterns of various sizes will be illuminated daily from 6:00 PM along Kagurazaka's Jizo-dori Shopping Arcade. A variety of other events will also be held, primarily in Kagurazaka.
One of the most noteworthy events will be held at Akagi Shrine in Kagurazaka on the afternoon of the 12th. Various Japanese confectionery shops from Bunkyo Ward will set up stalls within the shrine grounds for a "Japanese Sweets Tasting Event." In addition to serving free Japanese sweets from renowned shops such as Copain, Baikatei, and Kagurazaka Karyo, you can also participate in a tea ceremony experience. The Kaguraden Hall will also host stage events, including poetry recitation and stand-up comedy, featuring figures associated with Kagurazaka. Meanwhile, a "Literary Costume Parade" will be held in Kagurazaka, with people dressed as characters from their works parading down the hill. Seeing famous writers traveling in rickshaws offers a glimpse of what Kagurazaka was like back then. Also, from the 14th to the 17th, the "Experience the Town Loved by Writers" will be held in various locations in Bunkyo Ward. Four walking courses, one each day, will be offered, including "Exploring Hongo, the 'Literary Town' Connected to the Prematurely Deceased Writers Ichiyo and Takuboku," and visitors will visit the shops beloved by famous writers, their former homes, and spots featured in their works. Applications are accepted until October 10th, and participation is free. On the final day, the 19th, the "Kagurazaka/Bunkyo Shopping Street Sports Rally" will be held at 19 venues within the ward. Attractions will be held based on sports beloved by literary figures, such as Masaoka Shiki, a former baseball player, and soccer-loving Dazai Osamu. If you're looking to get some exercise in celebration of autumn's sports season, try participating in participatory events at Bunkyo Civic Center, such as a soccer class led by former Japan national team player Kitazawa Tsuyoshi and a Kyogen class led by Kyogen performer Izumi Motoya.

In advance of the event, on the 1st, the "Kagurazaka/Bunkyo Real Treasure Hunt: Bunkyo Kagura Treasure Legend - Mysteries Hidden in the Land of Writers" will begin. Find a treasure chest using the treasure map distributed at each store in the shopping district and enter a lottery to win prizes. Additionally, those who shop in the shopping district during the period will receive a literary figure book jacket and a "BUNGO Matsuri" manga pamphlet depicting the charms of the town.