Skip to main content

The Sanja Matsuri: Tokyo’s Wildest and Most Exciting Festival

Every year in mid-May, the usually chill neighborhood of Asakusa in Tokyo transforms into a buzzing, energetic sea of people, music, and mikoshi (portable shrines).

Welcome to the Sanja Matsuri(三社祭)—one of Japan’s biggest and most iconic festivals!

 What is Sanja Matsuri?



Sanja Matsuri is the annual grand festival (reitaisai) of Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo’s Taito Ward.

Most Shinto shrines in Japan have a yearly celebration to honor their enshrined deities—and Asakusa Shrine has not just one, but three gods!

The three deities are:

  • Haji no Manakachi no Mikoto

  • Hinokuma Hamanari no Mikoto

  • Hinokuma Takenari no Mikoto

That’s why it’s called Sanja Matsuri—literally, “Three Shrines Festival.”

 When and where does it happen?

The festival is held over three days—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—on the third weekend of May.

The main stage is Asakusa Shrine, but the whole Asakusa neighborhood comes alive!


 What makes Sanja Matsuri so thrilling?

The heart of Sanja Matsuri is the mikoshi parade (mikoshi togyo).

There are over 100 local mikoshi from the 44 neighborhoods connected to Asakusa Shrine.

All the mikoshi gather in the shrine grounds, receive purification one by one, and then are paraded through the streets of Asakusa.

You’ll see people lifting and shaking the mikoshi violently in a ritual called tamafuri—a traditional way to pray for health and good harvest.

Sanja Matsuri’s tamafuri is especially intense—people used to bump mikoshi into each other, ride on top, and even get into fights! It’s calmer now, but the passion is still real.

Why Does the Mikoshi Look Like a Tiny House?

Great question! A mikoshi is a portable home for the gods.

Most of the year, the deities stay inside the shrine. But during Sanja Matsuri, they “ride” the mikoshi and come out into the town to visit the people.

It’s a rare and sacred chance for the divine to walk among the people.

So when you see a mikoshi rocking through the crowd, it’s not just a float—it’s a sacred journey!



The Grand Finale: Miyadashi & Miyairi

On Sunday, the three main mikoshi—Ichinomiya, Ninomiya, and Sannomiya—make their big debut.

They are carried out of the shrine in a dramatic early-morning ritual called Miyadashi, then travel across different neighborhoods all day.

After sunset, they return to the shrine in the Miyairi, marking the end of the festival.

Why Three Mikoshi on the Final Day?

By now, you’ve probably guessed it—
Each of the three main mikoshi represents one of the three deities enshrined at Asakusa Shrine.

That’s right! Ichinomiya, Ninomiya, and Sannomiya aren’t just names—they’re the portable shrines of the three gods honored during Sanja Matsuri.

So when you see them making their way through the crowd, remember:
It’s not one god—it’s all three, going on their grand journey!


 Festival Fashion: Happi and Hanten

During Sanja Matsuri, you’ll see tons of people wearing traditional coats called happi or hanten.
These outfits aren’t just for looks—they show local pride and community spirit!

At Sanja Matsuri, each chōkai (neighborhood association) wears matching happi or hanten coats. These coordinated outfits represent their team spirit and unity. It’s easy to spot which group a person belongs to by the design and color of their coat.

Happi are lightweight, straight-sleeved coats often worn during festivals. They usually have a bold family crest or group symbol on the back.

Hanten are similar but slightly thicker and padded, traditionally worn in colder weather, though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in modern festivals.

Why Should You Go?

Because it’s real, raw, and full of heart.

Sanja Matsuri isn’t just an event—it’s a living tradition. Grab a happi coat and jump in. You’ve never seen Tokyo like this!

Location: 日本、〒111-0032 東京都台東区浅草２丁目３−１

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tokyo’s Public Road Karts: A Revolutionary Tourist Attraction or an Urban “Obstacle”?

As a Tokyo resident, I have to admit that watching tourists dressed in colorful character costumes racing through the streets on low-profile karts is quite an entertaining sight. It brings a bit of whimsy and brightness to the otherwise concrete-dominated urban landscape—a welcome break from the everyday routine of businesspeople and commuters.  Seeing groups of Mario-like characters zipping past famous landmarks like Shibuya Crossing or Asakusa’s historic temples can be oddly charming, making you smile even on a hectic day. Yet behind the smiles, selfies, and social media buzz, there lie some growing urban challenges that Tokyo must reckon with. Real-life Mario Kart — but not exactly “Mario Kart” These public road kart tours appeared around the early 2010s. The concept is clever and simple: tourists zip through famous Tokyo spots such as Shibuya, Asakusa, and Shin-Kiba on mini karts, dressed up in playful costumes. This is the only activity that lets you experience the world of J...
Post a Comment
Read more

Super Simple Japanese History: From Emperors to Anime!

Japan’s history is a wild ride—from ancient emperors and sword-wielding samurai to sushi trains and anime culture. If you’ve only got a few minutes, here’s your fast-track crash course through the ages.  Ancient Beginnings (c. 14,000 BCE – 538 CE) Japan’s earliest people, during the Jomon period (c. 14,000–300 BCE) , lived in harmony with nature. They fished, hunted, and made intricate pottery—some of the oldest in the world. In the Yayoi period (c. 300 BCE–250 CE) , things started to change. Rice farming, bronze tools, and new social structures came in from the Asian mainland, especially China and Korea. These changes led to more organized communities and eventually, the rise of ruling elites. The Kofun period (c. 250–538 CE) is named after the huge keyhole-shaped tombs built for powerful leaders. The idea of a divine emperor, said to descend from the sun goddess Amaterasu, began here—setting the stage for Japan’s imperial legacy. Early Empires and Court Cul...
Post a Comment
Read more

What Will Happen to Nakano Sunplaza? The Uncertain Future of a Tokyo Landmark

Nakano Sunplaza , a landmark building in Tokyo’s Nakano district, has stood as a symbol of the area since its opening in 1973. For over 50 years, it has served as a beloved multi-purpose facility, featuring a concert hall, hotel, restaurants, and a wedding venue. But now, its future is hanging in the balance. ■ Nakano: Tokyo’s Hub for Hobbyists Just minutes from Shinjuku by train, Nakano is a highly accessible and popular neighborhood. It's best known for Nakano Broadway , a shopping complex packed with stores dedicated to manga, anime figures, vintage cameras, watches, and all manner of niche collectibles. The area is also known for its great food and is a favorite among foreign tourists and locals alike. ■ A Unique Shape and Cultural Heartbeat When it opened, Nakano Sunplaza's distinctive triangular design made it stand out in a city that had few tall buildings at the time. It was envisioned as a local landmark—and it became exactly that. The upper-floor restaurants o...
Post a Comment
Read more