Haisai Festa 2013

Golden Week is one of Japan's peak periods for travelling, but you can save money on airfares by heading to one of the many cultural festivals held in Tokyo and the surrounding area. While the capital's parks host events dedicated to countries ranging from Mexico to Mongolia, Kawasaki's La Cittadella is taking a trip to Okinawa, with four days of food, music and dance from Japan's southernmost prefecture. Look out for eisa dancing, stalls selling Okinawan soba and Orion beer, and live music by Okinawan performers ranging from veteran singer-songwriter Kochihira Takane to 8-year-old warbler Chess.