Sanja Matsuri (Sanja Festival)

Every May, the streets of Tokyo’s historic Asakusa district come alive with one of the city’s most vibrant traditions, the Sanja Matsuri (Sanja Festival). Held over three days, this dynamic celebration honors the founders of Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Featuring grand parades, high-energy mikoshi (portable shrine) processions and a festive atmosphere, Sanja Matsuri draws over 1.5 million visitors each year to experience its spirited blend of history, culture and local pride.

Sanja Matsuri (Sanja Festival)

Photo by: PIXTA/ Masa A spirited blend of history, culture and local pride.

The name Sanja Matsuri means “Three Shrine Festival” and refers to the three men who founded Senso-ji Temple: Hajino Nakatomo, Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari. In the year 628, the Hinokuma brothers found a small golden statue of the Buddhist deity Kannon in the Sumida River. Hajino, a local village chief, recognized its importance and helped convert the brothers to Buddhism. Soon after, the people of the area built Senso-ji to honor Kannon.

Although the story begins with Buddhism, the Sanja Matsuri honors the Shinto spirits or kami of these three men. Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun, ordered the shrine’s construction in 1649 to commemorate them.

Festival Highlights

Photo by: PIXTA/ Ryuji You won’t want to miss this.

The festivities begin on Friday afternoon with the daigyoretsu, a grand procession down Nakamise-dori and Yanagi Street. Dressed in elaborate Edo-period attire, priests, geisha and local officials march alongside musicians playing flutes and taiko (drums). This ceremonial parade marks the official start of the Sanja Festival and sets the tone for a weekend of celebration.

Saturday sees the arrival of nearly 100 mikoshi from Asakusa’s 44 neighborhoods. These portable shrines are brought to Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine for purification and blessing. Several mikoshi are carried exclusively by women or children.

On Sunday, the festival reaches its peak as the three massive mikoshi by Asakusa Shrine make their debut. This powerful procession continues late into the night, returning to Asakusa Shrine around 8 p.m.

Sanja Matsuri offers a full lineup of experiences for visitors. Traditional geisha and taiko performances fall on Saturday and Sunday, with shows at the Asakusa Kenban. Children can enjoy smaller mikoshi parades and festival games, while adults can indulge in street food stalls lining Nakamise-dori and surrounding roads.