Institut français du Japon

The Institut français du Japon, about ten minutes' walk from Iidabashi Station in Tokyo. It is a French government-funded language school and cultural center.

The Institute is tucked away on a hill, and I didn't even know such a place existed until I went there for a film screening. (Though in retrospect, it is not surprising considering the strong French community in the Iidabashi/Kagurazaka area.)

I was surprised by how stylish the space was. This, for example, is a bookstore that sells French literature, language learning-related books, and even magazines. 

The lobby, with a wall-projected clock.

Several of the classrooms have artist-commissioned artwork on the walls. 

The library, which also has a section where you can listen to CDs and watch DVDs of French films.

The children's book section.

 An outdoor space for events.

 A restaurant that serves French cuisine. Apparently the food is quite good!

Kagurazaka Festival

Kagurazaka Festival, held from July 20 to 23. Taking place on the main street running from Kagurazaka Station to Iidabashi Station, the entire stretch of road was closed to traffic for several hours on Friday and Saturday as hordes of participants danced the Awa-odori -- a type of traditional dance set to traditional music.

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the festival. After the devastation of the March 11 earthquake, it was comforting to see thousands of people dancing and partaking in a uniquely Japanese celebration. (Last year's photos can be viewed here.)

 

Hozuki plants (with the orange lantern flowers) were sold for 1,500 yen each, with a part of the proceeds going to the Tohoku area.

All the shops and the eateries in the surrounding area got into the spirit. Even supermarket employees and conbini workers were allowed to dress up in yukata. Here, a goldfish-scooping game is set up inside a conbini.

There are any number of Japanese restaurants tucked into the narrow streets of Kagurazaka. This restaurant advertises beers served at -1℃.

I cat hiding out on top of a restaurant sign.

Ghoul dancers that would have broken out into a "Thriller" dance in any other country.

A rain leaf used as a fan. These leaves are not exactly abundant in the area.

A kid fascinated by the policeman's light stick.

A dancer in a group named "Kagura". Judging by the polished movements of the teams, some must have practiced for months.

A street stand selling oden.

Sliding Down the Elephant's Nose

 

A small, narrow neighborhood playground in Kagurazaka. The space is so confined, it feels like you're walking through a hallway or cutting through someone's backyard. That elephant slide, though: a total work of art!

Cats Vs. Dogs

 

In Kagurazaka. One house had decorated their windows with miniature dogs, while another had done the same with cats (click to enlarge). I wonder what happens to them in stormy weather?

Girls at the Kagurazaka Awa Odori Festival

The annual Awa Odori (Awa dance) Festival, held in Kagurazaka every summer. Groups of dancers are each allotted a strip of the street, and they do a folk dance accompanied by live music played with traditional instruments.

The sidewalks were crammed with viewers enjoying a nighttime picnic while watching the dancing.

Lots of girls opted to wear their pretty yukata, in spite of the sweltering heat.

Female dancers wear unusually shaped straw hats.

Restraint and Lack Thereof

A tastefully decorated tanabata tree in front of a restaurant in Kagurazaka.

A tanabata tree at Kayabacho metro station, absolutely weighed down with wishes.

Good for Chicken Lovers, Bad for Business

On Kagurazaka street. A restaurant during weekdays morphs into a yakitori (chicken on skewers) stand on weekends, when the main street is closed to traffic. The sight of hundreds of yakitori was mouthwatering, and they tasted delicious. However, when I passed by the stand again a couple of hours later, the chicken was still plentiful and looked as inviting as ever. Good for the eyes, but perhaps not for the shop: it meant they weren't able to sell nearly as much as they'd anticipated.

Mona Lisa Sighting

(In Kagurazaka.)

Mona Lisa, hiding in plain sight.