Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Hiroshima

ByJustin Hanus

Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Ireland, March

Feb 22, 2016

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Hiroshima

For many people around the world, the month of March means St. Patrick’s Day and all of the fun celebrations that come along with it. These days, it’s not just Western countries or predominantly Irish populations of people who join in the cultural festivities. Many parts of the East, including Japan, are no strangers to the lucky Irish holiday, and different exciting events can be found in cities all over. In Japan, while the biggest celebratory festival occurs in Tokyo every year, Hiroshima also has its own lucky green events to enjoy.

To kick off the holiday month, Hiroshimans can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with an Irish Festival and concert. On Friday, March 4th, head on over to Blue Live on the Moto Ujina waterfront for some Irish food, drinks, and great live music. Be sure to wear something green so you can enjoy the lively celebrations of this cultural event without the threat of getting pinched! The venue is always encouraging of dancing, and this is especially true of the Irish festival. At 7:00 p.m., things start off with Irish dancing practice, so you can dust off some of your old moves before the real show begins at 7:30 p.m. The stage lineup is stacked full of various musical entertainment that’s sure to keep you dancing all evening, including instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, guitar, harp, and keyboard.

For those who don’t fancy dancing, or who might need a break for refreshment every now and then, the venue also offers a traditional Irish set meal (which must be pre-ordered ahead of time) for ¥2,000. In addition to the food, there will be a promised assortment of traditional Irish drinks and of course the standard bar options to keep the spirits high.

Irish Festival and Concert 2016

Where: Blue Live on the Moto Ujina waterfront, 3-12-69 Ujina-kaigan, Minami Ward, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture 734-0011
Tel: 082-250-5522
When: Friday, March 4, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Admission: Advance ticket purchase – ¥3,000, at the door purchase – ¥3,500 *prices include one ¥500 drink*
Dinner Reservation Price: ¥2,000
Official Website (Japanese): You can make reservations online here: http://bluelive.jp/schedule/detail.php?id=941

Though any Irish-themed festival is bound to be a fun time, March would feel incomplete without some traditional, day-of, St. Patty’s Day celebrations. On March 17th, you can keep tradition alive by putting on something green and making your way to Molly Malone’s to celebrate the holiday. Famed as one of the most authentic pubs in the heart of downtown Hiroshima, Molly Malone’s is the best place in town to experience the richness of this cultural holiday. Grab a drink, meet some awesome international people and cool locals, enjoy the traditional music, and offer a toast to the good old luck o’ the Irish!

St. Patrick’s Day Party at Molly Malone’s 2016

Where: Molly Malone’s Irish Pub, 4F Teigeki Building, 1-20 Shintenchi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0034
Tel: 082-244-2554
When: Thursday, March 17, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Admission: Free
Official Website (Japanese): http://www.mollymalones.jp/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mollymaloneshiroshima?fref=ts

By Kounosu (Own work (own picture)) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons