The Sanja Matsuri is known as one of the “3 Great Shinto Festivals in Tokyo” — along with the Kanda and Sanno festivals. It takes place every year over the third weekend of May.
This is one of Tokyo rowdier festivals. Some 2 million spectators typically turn up to watch rather energetic, sometimes tattooed gentlemen doing what can most accurately be described as “mikoshi jousting.” Whereas in other festivals the mikoshi (portable shrine) bearers may bounce the incredibly heavy mikoshi, during the Sanja Matsuri, fundoshi-clad participants often ride on the top and will try to knock opponents off — even though this is strictly prohibited.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, many events have been canceled. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
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Late
May
2023
三社祭
Free
Official site
⚠️ Link in Japanese
- 0.7 km from Asakusa Station Ginza Line (G19)Asakusa Line (A18)Tobu Skytree Line (TS1)
- 0.9 km from Tawaramachi Station Ginza Line (G18)
- 1.0 km from Honjo-azumabashi Station Asakusa Line (A19)
