Invited by ISHIKAWA Keiko from the tourism office of Tokyo’s Sumida ward, I spent a great afternoon/evening with wonderful weather visiting Sumida ward as part of the Yukata De Guide Tour 2014 gathering many Japanese people and foreign tourists/residents. To experience the Japanese culture and instil a great ambiance, the organizers provided us with traditional shoes and “yukata” summer kimonos.

Accompanied by a tour guide, we visited Ryogoku-kokugikan sumo arena, a building unique in the world where sumo wrestling tournaments happen 3 times every year.

In the Former Yasuda Garden, we watched a tea ceremony, ate sweets and drank matcha green tea distributed by cute Japanese children in yukata!

During a night cruise on the Sumida river, we ate Japanese food in a bento box, discussed a lot, admired bridges and buildings including the Tokyo Skytree tower…

Finally, we danced a Bon-odori and watched fireworks during the local Obon festival. Skilled teachers kindly showed us how to dance&nbs;p:)

I met many nice people and discussed in Japanese, English, French, and Spanish with students, reporters, embassy staff… and even shortly with the joyful mayor and beautiful goodwill ambassador of Sumida ward!

This fun event organized by Sumida ward, its tourism office, and Sumidagawa Edo Cultural Sightseeing Promotion Association should happen again in July/August 2015. Check the dedicated Yukata De Guide Tour page on Inner Japan or ask your travel agency for information if you travel in Asia during your Summer holidays