Written by TC Team
Famous for its Azalea Festival in spring, Nezu Shrine holds its other big yearly festival, the Reitaisai, in late September, and 2026 is a special edition.
What happens?
The festival has been held since the days when Tokyo was still Edo, when it ranked among the city’s grandest. In most years you can expect lively mikoshi (portable shrine) parades, yatai (food stalls), taiko drumming and dancing around the shrine over the weekend.
What sets 2026 apart is the shinkōsai, the grand procession of the shrine’s large mikoshi that only takes place once every four years. It skips the years in between, so this is the edition to catch if you want to see the big palanquins out on the streets.
Schedule
The festival is listed for the weekend of September 26 and 27, 2026, with the shinkōsai procession on Sunday the 27th. The shrine usually posts exact hours nearer the date, so check the official page before you go.
Tickets
Free — it’s a public shrine festival.
How to get there
Nezu Shrine is about a 5-minute walk from Nezu or Sendagi stations on the Chiyoda line, or Tōdaimae station on the Namboku line.
Add to Calendar
- 323 m from Tōdaimae Station Namboku Line (N12)
- 0.6 km from Nezu Station Chiyoda Line (C14)
- 0.7 km from Sendagi Station Chiyoda Line (C15)
