The Kagurazaka Awa Odori is held every year toward the end of July (24, 25 in 2009). The festival is based upon the very famous Awa Odori held in Tokushima, and is a showcase for lively and expressive traditional Japanese dancers. Normally, on the first day of the Kagurazaka Awa Odori, dance troops from around Japan entertain the crowds which line Kagurazaka-dori (from Kagurazaka Station to Iidabashi Station).On the second day of the odori, local troops and many children from area schools participate in the parade of dancers. The dancing is better on day one, but the crowds watching are more enthusiastic on day two as their friends, neighbors, and family members are participating.
There are two main styles of dance, otoko odori (male dance) and onna odori (female dance). Only women dance the onna odori style and it is done standing tall with graceful above the shoulder hand movements and special steps which are often only on the front of the geta sandals. Both men and women do the otoko odori style which is danced in a squatted position with wild, enthusiastic hand movements (and often lanterns). 
Live music is provided by musicians within each dance troop. Listening to the beat of the drums is infectious, it is extremely hard to stand still.
Matsuri are one of the only chances many Japanese get to really 'let their hair down'. I attend as many festivals as I can each year as everyone is truly relaxed, and the community spirit is so strong. It is wonderful to see people of all ages and backgrounds having fun together while unconsciously keeping the historic culture of Japan alive.
Matsuri are one of the only chances many Japanese get to really 'let their hair down'. I attend as many festivals as I can each year as everyone is truly relaxed, and the community spirit is so strong. It is wonderful to see people of all ages and backgrounds having fun together while unconsciously keeping the historic culture of Japan alive.
I highly recommend this matsuri. It is not that famous outside of Kagurazaka, so the crowds are reasonable. Bring a small plastic tarp and sit on the curb for an incredible front row view. Larger crowds congregate around Bishamon Zenkokuji Temple. For a little more space, head to the north of Kagurazaka-dori, closer to Kagurazaka Station itself.
Getting there: Kagurazaka-dori is just outside of Iidabashi Station and Kagurazaka Station.
Down the back alleys of Kamakura lie a number of hidden restaurants, Laroche Kamikura is one of them. A sister to the original Restaurant Kamikura, Laroche Kamikura specializes in rotisserie chicken. 
Singles are usually put at the counter - the 6 seats here are quite comfortable and have a view into the open kitchen. Along the balcony window lies a long, soft bench seat - with five 4-top tables along it. There are more tables toward the front door, a private room, and a terrace that is open during nice weather.
There are four lunch options. 
Kagurazaka is often blocked off to car traffic on the weekends, and sometimes during lunchtime. I was walking to lunch on Sunday, June 14, when I came across this public safety campaign. There were a number of police around, and the Kagurazaka Geisha were invited to draw attention to the campaign.
Afterwards, the Geisha and police officers handed out free tissue advertising the campaign.
Kagurazaka holds all kinds of events, but this was the first time I had seen the Kagurazaka Geisha. The campaign lasted only about 20 minutes, then one Geisha went home and the others took a walk down the street.
They met one of the 'big-wigs' from the campaign for lunch here, at a tasty Chinese restaurant.
There are only a handful of areas in Tokyo that still have a Geisha population (Asakusa, Kagurazaka, Shimbashi,...). The Geisha in Asakusa are the easiest to see as there are a lot of special events there in which they participate. 
I had a spinach, ham, and cheese galette, with a glass of their house red wine. The galette was fantastic, the wine as it should be - room temperature and tasty. Afterwards I chose the most basic crepe dessert - butter and sugar. With my coffee, it was a perfect end to a delicious meal.
The menu is entirely in Japanese, but there are pictures outside and on the menu itself. There are about 10 lunch choices, and all are 900 yen. It is also possible to add a drink for a bit extra.
