I Am a Cat: Kagurazaka Machitobi Festa 2024 Recommended Event #3 – Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival in Tokyo
Why Not Walk Around Kagurazaka Saying, ‘I Am a Cat’?
The Kagurazaka Machitobi Festa 2024, held in Shinjuku’s Kagurazaka from Saturday, October 12th to Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, features a variety of events. Among them, we would like to introduce events related to our traditional cultural experience tours and other recommended activities. The third event we’d like to highlight is the “Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival.” Why not walk around Kagurazaka saying, “I Am a Cat“?
The “Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival” started about 15 years ago and has since grown into a hugely popular event that attracts many people from both Japan and abroad. Regardless of age, gender, occupation, or nationality, people are drawn to this event by the idea of dressing up as their favorite cat and experiencing life from a cat’s perspective as they walk together. The popularity of this event has even reached Hollywood, where it was featured in the movie “Rental Family” directed by HIKARI.
A Family-Friendly Festival: Safe and Enjoyable for All Ages
One of the key reasons I highly recommend this event is that it’s a safe costume event that families can enjoy together. Unlike some Halloween costume events in certain areas that have become more extreme with issues like public drinking, the “Kagurazaka Bakeneko Festival” is known for being a warm and friendly event where everyone says it feels “comfortable.”
The event will take place on Sunday, October 13th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Registration is from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, and the registration area is in front of Park Luxe Kagurazaka near the Risona Bank at the top of Kagurazaka. The Park Luxe Kagurazaka building is marked by a statue of “Kobo-chan.” The participation fee is ¥500 for adults, and free for children (must be accompanied by a guardian).
Simple Requirements: Cat Costumes and a Smile for the Camera
The participation requirements are simple: you must be dressed up as a cat and be okay with having your photo taken in costume. There will also be a cat makeup service available. Professional cat makeup is ¥1,000, and kids’ makeup (for elementary school children and younger) is ¥500. Tickets will be distributed from 9:30 AM, and the service will end once the tickets run out.
From Literature to Festival: The Natsume Soseki Connection
But why a “Bakeneko Festival” in Kagurazaka? The reason lies with Natsume Soseki. The event’s executive committee chairperson, Ms. Okameya Yuko, explains that the festival was inspired by the “cat” image in Natsume Soseki’s works, such as “I Am a Cat.” Soseki had a connection with Kagurazaka, living there for a time and later residing near Kagurazaka in Waseda in his later years. He frequently visited Kagurazaka for Yose (storyteller performances) and meals, and the area appears in many of his works. In this way, Natsume Soseki is a literary figure deeply connected to Kagurazaka.
Why not take the opportunity this year to dress up as a cat and walk through Kagurazaka? Walking around saying “I am a Cat” will make for a stylish and sophisticated parade.
Explore Kagurazaka as a Cat: English Guided Walks and Makeup Services
If you’re interested in the ‘Bakeneko Festival’ but are hesitant to participate due to concerns about the Japanese language, please consider using our English-speaking guide service. For one person, our guide is available for ¥8,000 for two hours (¥10,000 for up to five people for two hours). With a guide, you can feel at ease, even when getting ‘professional cat makeup.
After dressing up as a cat and joining the parade, how about taking a walk through the charming cobblestone alleys of Kagurazaka, feeling like a cat, accompanied by a guide? It will surely become an unforgettable memory.
How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.