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Sanja Matsuri

The big festival held in May at Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo. One of Japan’s prominent festivals.

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Sanja Festival is around the 3rd Saturday in May, lasting from Friday to Sunday in Asakusa, Tokyo. Residents call it Sanja sama. Each year, about 1.8 million visitors watch this prominent 3-day festival in Japan.

It begins with a lively procession of dances in Asakusa such as Tekomai and Geishas’ team dances. On the last day, three Mikoshi (portable shrines) move around the town and come back to the Shrine after sunset. The ambiance of Edo Period (1603−1867) is still left in this energetic festival.

This harvest dance, Shinji Binzasara Dance, is of interest as well, which is designated as Tokyo’s intangible folk cultural property. The wooden musical instrument, Sasara, is used while a dancer scatters red and white confetti to wish for a good harvest of grains and for chasing away evil spirits. A lion dance is added to pray for healing and lasting posterity.

Highlights

  • The big festival held in May at Asakusa Shrine. One of Japan’s prominent festivals.
  • During the three festive days, nearly 1.8 million visitors watch Tokyo’s early summer tradition.
  • Shinji Binzasara Dance performed on the first day is Tokyo’s intangible folk cultural property.
  • On the last day, Mikoshi is put on a cart and pulled through towns. Only when it is drawn out and pulled back into the Shrine, town committee members are in charge.

Photos

  • Geisha and others make a procession through the town on the first day
©Asakusa Shrine

    Geisha and others make a procession through the town on the first day ©Asakusa Shrine

  • Shinji Binzasara Dance is Tokyo’s intangible folk cultural property 
©Asakusa Shrine

    Shinji Binzasara Dance is Tokyo’s intangible folk cultural property ©Asakusa Shrine

  • Asakusa Shrine
©Asakusa Shrine

    Asakusa Shrine ©Asakusa Shrine

Reviews

3
  • 王文瑞

    淺草神社一年一度的盛典,看到許多神轎熱鬧非凡。

    有幸造訪,炎炎夏日的祭典活動真的很震撼!🔥

  • 津津

    沿途大批的遊客把路上擠的水泄不通,讓人感受到江戶人的熱情魅力。

Details

Name in Japanese
三社祭
Telephone
03-3844-1575 (Asakusa Shrine)
Performance
Around the 3rd Saturday in May, lasting from Friday to Sunday
Directions
1) From Tokyo Metro Ginza Line / Tokyo Subway Asakusa Line / Tobu Line, Asakusa Station, walk 7 min.
2) From Tsukuba Express, Asakusa Station, walk 10 min.
Official Website
Official Website (English)