Shinjuku Eisa Festival

The Shinjuku Eisa Festival (新宿エイサーまつり) is a premier summer event that brings the vibrant spirit of Okinawa to the heart of Tokyo. Eisa is a traditional folk dance originally performed during the Bon season to honor ancestral spirits. Since its official launch in 2002, the festival has grown into a massive spectacle, attracting approximately one million spectators. Over 20 teams, totaling more than 1,000 dancers, perform high-energy routines characterized by the thunderous beat of O-daiko (large drums) and Paranku (hand drums), accompanied by the rhythmic twang of the Sanshin lute. The festival is primarily held around the Shinjuku Station East Exit, with the main thoroughfares closed to traffic from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM to accommodate the massive processions.

The most intense performances take place along Shinjuku-dori, where teams compete in “stations” to showcase their unique choreography and vocal chanting. While the official traffic closures begin in the morning, the main dance sets typically peak between noon and 4:00 PM. Due to the heat-trapping nature of Shinjuku’s skyscrapers and the extreme density of the crowds, the humidity along the parade route can be punishing; many spectators find better viewing angles from the second-floor windows of cafes overlooking Shinjuku-dori. Visitors should also note that the festival concludes precisely at 5:00 PM to allow for the reopening of the roads, leading to a significant surge in congestion at the JR Shinjuku East and Southeast ticket gates.