Lively Cheers and 100 Mikoshi Excite Asakusa! “Sanja Matsuri” will be held from 19th May – 21st May 2023

“Sanja Matsuri”(三社祭) is a May tradition in Asakusa, Tokyo. During this festival, many tourists visit the town and it becomes lively for 3 days. The most exciting scene occurs on the 2nd and 3rd days when Mikoshi is paraded through the town, creating a powerful and exciting atmosphere. Experience the most thrilling 3 days of the year in Asakusa.

Asakusa is a place where you can strongly feel the downtown atmosphere and is considered a must-see spot when visiting Tokyo. While many tourists visit this area every day, among them, the annual “Sanja Matsuri” festival in Asakusa Shrine is a different kind of liveliness that cannot be missed. This festival is usually held for 3 days on the 3rd weekend in May, and it attracts more than 1.8 million visitors from Japan and overseas to attend this 3-day event, every year.

The festival begins with a long procession, which includes the Hayashi-Yatai (festival car) and Asakusa dancers. Following the procession, a dedication ceremony for ‘Binzasara Mai’ (びんざさら舞, festival dance) is held at the same shrine, with the hopes of a bountiful harvest. The “Binzasara Mai” is a Shinto ritual in which a wooden instrument called “binzasara,” made of 108 layers of cypress boards, is played like an accordion while dancing to music and It’s designated as an intangible cultural property of Tokyo. On the 2nd day, a procession of Mikoshi is held in the town. The Mikoshi procession of around 100 groups, which have been exorcised at the shrine and are returning from Asakusa Shrine to each town, is one of the most spectacular sights during the festival. Furthermore, on the last day of the festival, the climax is reached when 3 Mikoshi (portable shrines) from this shrine, known as the main shrine Mikoshi, cross each town in order, and the excitement reaches its peak. Watching the brave carriers hoist and shake the Mikoshi will fill you with excitement. Asakusa is a must-see spot because it is filled with festival vibes and energy. Please visit and experience its power for yourself.