Blue Sharks Bring Rugby to the Koto Kumin Matsuri
Players and the shark mascot Sametaro join the festival at Kiba Park for two days of parades, a mascot show and hands-on rugby games.
Oct 17–18 · 10:00–16:00Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks (清水建設江東ブルーシャークス), the rugby club based in Koto City, Tokyo, will take part in the 44th Koto Kumin Matsuri Chuo Matsuri (江東区民まつり 中央まつり). Koto City is the club’s host town, so this is a home event for the team: instead of watching from a stadium seat, neighbors get to meet the players up close, try a lineout jump, and wave at the club’s mascot, Sametaro (鮫太朗).
Festival basics: dates, hours and venue
| Event | 44th Koto Kumin Matsuri Chuo Matsuri |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 (see the note above about the year) |
| Hours | 10:00–16:00 |
| Venue | Kiba Park (都立木場公園), Multipurpose Plaza (KOTO Sports Field) and other areas |
| Blue Sharks appearances | Players and Sametaro on both days |
| Admission | Not stated in the release. Check the official announcement. |
| Organizer | Koto Kumin Matsuri Chuo Executive Committee (江東区民まつり中央実行委員会) |
Kiba Park is a big space, and the club notes that the festival spreads beyond the KOTO Sports Field. If you’re planning a full day out, our guides to the Shibaura Canal Festival and the Setagaya Tamagawa Fireworks show how other local Tokyo events this autumn run.
Where to catch the players and Sametaro
Two time slots are fixed. Everything else depends on when Sametaro decides to wander out.
| Time | What’s happening | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Opening parade with Sametaro and players | Not specified |
| 12:00 | Mascot character show starring Sametaro | October 17 |
| All day | Rugby booth with darts and lineout jumps | Both days |
| Random | Sametaro pops up around the grounds | Both days |
The release doesn’t say whether the parade runs on one day or both, so if seeing the players march matters to you, Saturday is the safer bet: it also has the noon mascot show. Sametaro is around on both days, but only for limited stretches. The club’s advice is simply to say hello if you spot him.
The rugby booth: darts and lineout jumps
The club is bringing two of its regular crowd favorites to a booth that stays open on both days.
Rugby darts
A target game built around a rugby ball. It’s pitched at everyone from small kids to adults, so the whole family can take a turn.
Lineout experience
Try the jumper role from a real lineout, the set play where a player is lifted to catch the throw-in.
Whether the booth is free or has a fee isn’t mentioned, so bring a little cash or a payment app just in case. If your phone tends to run flat on long days out, our d VALUE PASS guide explains how to rent ChargeSPOT power banks for free.
Things the press release doesn’t say
The announcement is from the club, not the festival, so a few practical details are missing. Before heading out, check the official festival information for:
- The correct year and dates (the release shows 2025)
- Admission or booth fees
- Nearest stations and how to get to Kiba Park
- What happens if it rains
- Which day or days the opening parade runs
Looking for more weekend plans? The Asoview campaign with up to ¥3,000 off leisure spots and the Musashino Art University festival are both coming up this month.
FAQ
- Q. When are the Blue Sharks at the Koto Kumin Matsuri?
- Players and mascot Sametaro appear on both festival days, October 17 and 18, from 10:00 to 16:00. The release prints the year as 2025, so confirm the dates in the official announcement.
- Q. When is Sametaro’s character show?
- The mascot character show starts at 12:00 on October 17.
- Q. What can kids do at the Blue Sharks booth?
- The booth runs on both days with rugby darts, a target game for all ages, and a lineout experience where you can try the jumper role.
- Q. Is there an entry fee?
- The press release doesn’t mention admission or booth fees. Check the official festival information before you go.