On January 3, a traditional Japanese lion dance was performed at Azabudai Hills in Tokyo's Minato Ward to celebrate the New Year. The event featured a troupe from Akiruno, Tokyo, and was jointly organized by Mori Building Co. and The Yomiuri Shimbun to promote traditional culture. Visitors enjoyed the performance, which included the lion nipping heads to ward off evil spirits.
On Saturday, January 3, 2026, a traditional Japanese lion dance known as shishimai took place at Azabudai Hills in Minato Ward, Tokyo, to mark the New Year. The performance was carried out by a troupe from Akiruno, Tokyo, and was jointly organized by Mori Building Co. and The Yomiuri Shimbun to promote traditional culture.
During the event, a performer used a lion mask to gently nip the head of a visitor, a customary act believed to ward off evil spirits. A 37-year-old man from Minato Ward commented, “It’s not something we get to see often, so I’m glad that I could watch it.”
Azabudai Hills, a recently developed urban complex, hosts such cultural events to engage the community and preserve heritage. This lion dance embodies longstanding Japanese New Year traditions, delighting attendees with its vibrant display.
