While staying in Asakusa this time, I unexpectedly came across the annual Sanja Matsuri, held in May. Since I hadn't planned for it, I couldn't make time to attend any of the related events, but as long as you're in the Asakusa area, it's actually hard to miss the festival entirely. While walking around Asakusa and Kappabashi, I would occasionally come across mikoshi processions and local residents wearing happi coats and other festival attire. The atmosphere was completely different from Asakusa during a typical sightseeing visit.
I happened to be staying on the outskirts of Asakusa, and after returning to my hotel one evening, I noticed a mikoshi procession passing nearby, so I followed it for a short while. It unexpectedly became a fun memory from the trip. During the festival, many nearby hotels and shops also put up Sanja Matsuri decorations, and throughout the neighborhood, you could really feel that the local residents were involved. It was very interesting for a foreign visitor.
