A Guide to Traditional Japanese Festivals in Tokyo

Tokyo has many festivals throughout the year.
These festivals, held mainly at shrines and temples, enliven the city and bring smiles to the faces of local residents and visitors alike.
Foreigners experiencing Tokyo's festival culture are no exception!
In this article, we will be introducing Tokyo's festival culture, typical seasonal festivals, and tips for experiencing a Japanese festival for the first time.
You will surely want to participate in a festival on your next trip to Tokyo.

1. Tokyo's Festival Culture
2. Seasonal Festivals in Tokyo
3. Top 5 Popular Festivals for Foreigners
4. Tips for experiencing a festival for the first time
5. Summary: Enjoying Festivals in Tokyo

1. Tokyo's Festival Culture

Tokyo's festival culture has a long history and rich tradition.
Many festivals have continued since the Edo period (around the 17th century), and have been a place for the common people to enjoy themselves and deepen community ties.
The long history of these festivals has been passed down to the present day.
The Kanda Festival, the Sanno Festival, and the Sanja Festival in Asakusa are representative examples of the three major festivals of Edo.
These festivals are so grand that even the shogun (Edo Shogunate) is said to have witnessed them, and they were also called “Tenka Matsuri”.

At these festivals, portable shrines are carried through the streets, and parades are held to the traditional music played on drums and flutes.
The procession of elaborately decorated floats (dashi) and people dressed in traditional costumes is truly an extraordinary sight.
The food stalls (yatai) line the streets, where visitors can taste yakisoba, takoyaki, and other Japanese delicacies.
Tokyo's festival culture has a unique charm that blends the energy of a modern metropolis with the traditions of the past.

Another charm of festivals is that they can be enjoyed beyond language and national borders.
Recently, the number of foreigners carrying mikoshi (portable shrines) and participating in dances has been increasing, making Tokyo's festivals a great opportunity for visitors from abroad to experience Japanese culture and the warmth of its people.

2. Seasonal Festivals in Tokyo

Various festivals are held in Tokyo in each of the four seasons.
You can enjoy beautiful seasonal festivals in each season.

Spring

Spring is the cherry blossom season, with cherry blossom festivals held in Ueno Park and along the Meguro River from late March to early April, and in May, the city is filled with the excitement of festivals such as the Sanja Festival in Asakusa and the Kanda Festival held every other year.

Summer

Summer is the high season for festivals!
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival in late July, for example, is a beautiful spectacle with more than one million spectators watching the massive fireworks display that lights up the night sky over Tokyo.

Autumn

Autumn is the season of harvest.
Autumn is the season of harvest, and although not as numerous as in summer, many local shrines hold autumn festivals or annual festivals, such as Torinoichi in November, a traditional event held at shrines in Asakusa and Shinjuku that attracts crowds of people buying decorative rakes (kumade) until late at night.
The nighttime precincts of the shrines are lit by lanterns, creating a magical and exotic atmosphere for visitors from other countries.

Winter

Although winter is the off-season for festivals, there are still events that are unique to Tokyo.
Hatsumode in January is the Japanese custom of visiting shrines and temples for the first time in the New Year, and Meiji Jingu Shrine and Sensoji Temple are always lively and festive with crowds of visitors.
In early February, celebrities and sumo wrestlers throw beans at Sensoji Temple and other temples, attracting large crowds in hopes of bringing good fortune.
Even in the cold season, you can feel the culture of Tokyo through these traditional events.

3. Top 5 Popular Festivals for Foreigners

Here are the top five festivals in Tokyo that are particularly popular among foreign tourists.
The following is a brief description of the attractions and highlights of each festival.

Sanja Matsuri

Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's most popular traditional festivals.
Held every May at Asakusa Shrine, it is a very popular event that attracts a total of over 1.5 million visitors over the span of three days.
The highlight of the festival is a spectacular parade of about 100 portable shrines that parade through the streets of Asakusa!
The town of Asakusa, with its rich downtown atmosphere, is filled with excitement, and the liveliness and power of the parade is breathtaking.
The lively and powerful atmosphere of Asakusa is breathtaking, and the many food stalls provide a great opportunity to enjoy the festive atmosphere while eating and drinking.
For more information on Sanja Matsuri, visit our article Sanja Festival : A Traditional Festival in Tokyo
Sanja Matsuri Official Website

Kanda Matsuri

One of the three major festivals in Edo, this historic festival is held at Kanda Myojin Shrine in May of odd-numbered years.
The number and scale of the portable shrines and floats that parade through Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Akihabara are overwhelming.
In the Edo period (1603-1867), the Shogun was a great spectator of this prestigious festival, but today, with the cooperation of the pop culture town of Akihabara, the festival is a unique and exciting fusion of tradition and modernity.
Kanda Matsuri Official Website (JP)

Koenji Awa Odori (Koenji Awa Odori)

This annual summer festival held in Koenji, Suginami, Tokyo at the end of August.
It offers a Tokyo-style performance of Awa Odori, a traditional dance originating in Tokushima Prefecture.
Dancers in yukata (light cotton kimono) dance through the streets with the call of “Yattsaa!" is a beautiful and energetic sight!
The experience of the approximately 10,000 dancers and the excitement of the spectators becoming one and turning the city of Tokyo into a dance floor is a spectacular one.
Tokyo Koenji Awa Odori Official Website

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Yasukuni Shrine Mitama Matsuri

4. Tips for experiencing a festival for the first time

If you are going to a festival in Tokyo for the first time, here are some useful things to know.

Check in advance

Make sure your travel dates coincide with the festivals.
Major festivals in Tokyo are held around the same time each year, but some festivals are held every other year, such as the Kanda and Sanno Festivals.
It is a good idea to check official websites and tourist information to find out which festivals will be held during your visit.

Clothing

Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended, as there is a lot of walking around.
If it is a summer festival, try wearing a yukata.
You can enjoy the local atmosphere even more if you wear a cool traditional costume.
Don't forget to bring a hat and water to prevent heat stroke!

Manners

At festivals, respect the traditions of the local people and shrines.
You can experience Japanese culture more deeply if you observe the etiquette of worship at shrines.
Photography is generally allowed, but please be considerate so as not to disturb the people carrying the portable shrines.

Crowding

The more popular the festival, the more crowded it will be.
It is important to plan for crowds by choosing a meeting place and taking care of your valuables.
For fireworks festivals, it may be necessary to reserve a spot, so act early.
It is also a good idea to keep your phone charged in case you get lost in the crowd.

Access

Public transportation is the best way to get to the event, as there are often traffic restrictions around the venue.
If you go by train, it may be easier to get off one stop before the nearest station and walk there because the nearest station is crowded.
The return train is especially crowded, so it is best to allow plenty of time or stagger the time a little to avoid the crowds.
Also, if you want to enjoy food and drink at the food stalls, it is a good idea to have cash ready (since cards are often not accepted).

5. Summary: Enjoying Festivals in Tokyo

Tokyo's festivals are filled with history and tradition.
To not only enjoy tourist attractions but to participate in Japanese festivals is a great way to feel the festive atmosphere.
So why not visit a festival next time you come to Tokyo?

What are we?

We run Ninja Experience Cafe in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, Japan.
Here you can immerse yourself in Japanese culture through experiencing ninja training.
Both adults and children are welcome to try their hand at defeating the ninja master inside the cafe.
The cafe is an indoor interactive zone, so it can be enjoyed even on rainy days.
If you are thinking "I want to be a real ninja too!” or interested in becoming a real ninja, please visit us.
Reservations can be made here.

Unauthorized copying and replication of the contents of this site, text and images are strictly prohibited.