Shinjuku Eisa Festival 2014

Eisa is a form of Okinawan dance usually performed to mark the end of the Obon period. Like all things Okinawan, it's been enthusiastically embraced by the rest of the country, and this Shinjuku parade proves a good example. More than 20 eisa dance troupes are expected to take to the streets around the east exit of Shinjuku Station to beat portable taiko drums and twirl their way through the crowds – a colourful and noisy event to brighten your weekend. Slap on the sun cream, grab yourself a handheld fan and get there early: it's guaranteed to be crowded.