Teruhime Matsuri

The Teruhime Matsuri (照姫まつり) started in 1988 to celebrate the historical heritage of the Nerima area. The festival depicts a poignant local legend—re-enacted by about 100 costumed members of the public—revolving around Toshima Yasutsune and his daughter, Teruhime. In 1477, during a fierce conflict with his rival Ota Dokan, Yasutsune suffered a major defeat and retreated to Shakujii Castle. Legend says that before the castle fell, Yasutsune loaded his family’s gold onto a white horse and leaped into Sanpouji-ike Pond. Overcome with grief, Teruhime followed her father into the water. Today, Shakujii Park stands on the site of these ancient ruins.

The festival features three major processions through the park and surrounding streets, typically occurring between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. A core attraction is the Teruhime Emaki, a grand stage performance that dramatizes the story of the Toshima clan with traditional music and dance. While the role of Teruhime is the centerpiece, visitors can enjoy the sight of participants dressed as samurai, high-ranking ladies, and warriors. The event also includes dozens of food stalls and a “Flea Market” area, creating a lively community atmosphere against the backdrop of the park’s lush greenery.

The festival is held annually in late April (typically the fourth Sunday of the month). Shakujii Park is a short 7-minute walk from the South Exit of Shakujii-koen Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. Because the processions move through the narrow paths surrounding the pond, the best vantage points for the Teruhime Emaki performance are near the main outdoor stage in the “Athletic Field” area of the park. Visitors should arrive by noon to secure a spot, as the park attracts over 100,000 people for this single-day event.