"Our Tokyo" Festivals in Tokyo

*This article is based on information available at the time of the interview.
For the latest information, please contact the organization directly.

The Three Great Edo Festivals

There are many festivals in Tokyo. Among them, the big festivals that have been held since the Edo period are known as the Three Great Edo Festivals. These three festivals are; Kanda Festival at Kanda Myojin Shrine, Sanno Festival at Hie Shrine, and Fukagawa Festival at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine. The Kanda Festival, held in May, and the Sanno Festival (official name: Hie Shrine Grand Festival), held in June, alternate every two years. The highlight of both festivals is the procession called Shinkosai, that takes place during the main festival. In this procession, about 500 people dressed in Heian period costumes parade through the streets. The Kanda Festival and the Sanno Festival are held in different areas, but the parade is so spectacular that you will want to take pictures if you happen to run into them. The Fukagawa Festival is held once every three years in August. It is also known as the Water Festival.
*In 2020 and 2021, these three great Edo festivals were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to Enjoy Festivals

When it comes to festivals, a mikoshi is indispensable. The mikoshi can be said to be a vehicle to take the gods in the shrine out of the shrine.　Mikoshi are decorated with gorgeous ornaments and come in various sizes and shapes, depending on the local communities. The mikoshi is carried by all the people in the community.　 Both men and women are allowed to carry the mikoshi.　Depending on the area, there are also mikoshi that are carried only by women or children. Everyone wears matching hanten-coats and a tenugui-towel wrapped around their heads. They say that wrapping a tenugui around their forehead can enhance their spirit. There are many ways to wrap a tenugui around your head. It can be fun to find out how many different ways there are to wrap it around your head.

How to Participate in Festivals

To participate in a festival, ask the local community association, neighborhood association, or shrines in the area where the festival is held. Festival etiquette and how to carry the mikoshi also differ from community to community. Please be sure to learn the manners and rules of the particular festival you plan to attend beforehand. These festivals are not only about mikoshi procession. Food stalls are set up, festival music of drums and flutes can be heard, and the town becomes lively. Find your own way to enjoy these festivals.