Sanja Matsuri

The Sanja Matsuri (三社祭) is widely regarded as Tokyo’s most electrifying and boisterous celebration, held annually on the third weekend of May in the historic district of Asakusa. Honoring the three founders of the iconic Senso-ji Temple, the festival centers on the adjacent Asakusa Shrine. Over three days, the event draws nearly two million spectators who come to witness a raw display of “Edo-ko” (child of Edo) spirit. The atmosphere is defined by the rhythmic chants of “wasshoi” and the intense energy of participants clad in traditional hanten coats and fundoshi (loincloths) as they shoulder massive, swaying mikoshi (portable shrines).

The festivities begin on Friday with the Daigyoretsu, a grand procession featuring priests, city officials, and dancers in Edo-period costumes. A highlight of the first day is the Binzasara Mai, an ancient harvest dance performed with traditional wooden percussion instruments. On Saturday, over 100 neighborhood mikoshi from the surrounding districts are carried through the streets to be blessed at the shrine. The energy reaches a fever pitch on Sunday morning during the Miyadashi, when the three massive “official” shrines—Ichinomiya, Ninomiya, and Sannomiya—depart the sanctuary to tour the local streets. This climax is famous for the “mikoshi-furi” (shaking of the shrines), a practice believed to amplify the power of the enshrined deities.

For visitors, the Sanja Matsuri offers an unmissable, high-octane immersion into traditional Tokyo life. The streets are lined with yatai selling classic festival fare, and the air is thick with the sound of flutes and taiko drums. Access is most convenient via Asakusa Station, but be prepared for extreme congestion, particularly on Sunday. To witness the famous Sunday morning departure, you must arrive before 6:00 AM, as the shrine grounds reach capacity well before the first mikoshi moves. Alternatively, the Saturday afternoon neighborhood processions offer a slightly more accessible way to see the various district teams show off their unique hanten designs and carrying styles.