Tokyo- Tsukiji Betsuin celebrated Hanamatsuri, the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha, last month on April 11. In conjunction with the annual Spring Traffic Safety Campaign, the Tsukiji Police Station and Tsukiji Betsuin held a joint parade which included a chigo procession, a float of the hanamido (flower shrine) sitting atop a white elephant, and performances by the Chiyoda Jyogakuen (girls) Junior and Senior High School baton twirling club and Musashino Jyogakuin (girls) Junior and Senior High School brass band lively marching through the Tsukiji neighborhood. Other activities that were conducted at Tsukiji Betsuin included entertainment by the Oedo Sukeroku Taiko group, a mini petting zoo, tea ceremony sessions, and food booths put out by the Tsukiji Betsuin Young Buddhist Association and Scout groups.

(Excerpt from Hongwanji Journal, April 20, 2010)