The Sanja Matsuri is one of Japan’s most prominent festivals, attracting approximately 1.8 million visitors and marking one of the iconic early summer scenes in Tokyo.

On Saturday, during the “Chonaikoshi Rengo Togyo” (Joint Procession of Neighborhood Portable Shrines), about one hundred neighborhood portable shrines from Asakusa’s forty-four parishioner districts gather within the shrine grounds. Each mikoshi receives a blessing before proceeding through its respective neighborhood.

On Sunday, the procession of the three palanquin shrines (“Ichinomiya,” “Ninomiya,” and “Sannomiya”) takes place. The “Miyadashi,” where the palanquin shrines are carried out from the shrine grounds in the early morning, is followed by the mikoshi parading through the parishioner districts, divided into three routes, throughout the day. The festival events conclude with the “Miyairi” in the evening, as the palanquin shrines return to the shrine grounds after sunset.

This is a must-attend event for those who want to experience the festivals of Edo!