The Shinagawa Shukuba Festival, also known as the Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri, is a festival celebrating Shinagawa’s history as the first rest stop on the Tokaidō Road heading south.
What happens?
The Tokaidō was Japan’s main east-west route linking Edo (Tokyo) with Kyoto during the Edo period. This is a fun excuse for the locals to put on fancy dress and pretend to be samurai, geisha, courtesans, and other historical characters. The Oiran Dochu — courtesan procession — will be back for 2024.
Schedule 2024
The Oiran Dochu will take place on Saturday, September 28 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as well as a night parade on the same day from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Another parade with take place on Sunday, September 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to get there
The festival will be happening on Saturday and Sunday along a stretch of the ‘Old Tokaidō’ (now a suburban street) between Shimbamba and Aomono Yokocho stations on the Keikyu Main Line. Both around a 5-minute train ride from Shinagawa Station.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.