Tsukiji Lion Dance Festival

The roads will be closed and the whole town of Tsukiji will take to the streets to celebrate the annual Tsukiji Lion Dance Festival at Namiyoke Shrine.

What happens?

What makes this festival different from all the other mikoshi (portable shrine) processions is the giant lion heads that are carried beside the shrines.

History

Namiyoke Shrine has been a go-to spot for centuries for anyone seeking protection — whether from disasters, rough seas, or bad business luck. But 350 years ago, this area was still underwater. When the Tokugawa Shogunate started reclaiming the land during the Edo era, the embankments kept collapsing, and the project seemed doomed.

Then, as the legend goes, one stormy night, a divine spirit emerged from the ocean. As the locals prayed, the wind and waves eased, and the construction was finally completed in 1659. To honour this miraculous event, the Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri was born.

Schedule 2025

The Tsukiji Lion Festival happens on June 10, but the main events take place over the weekend from Saturday, June 14 to Sunday, June 15.

In most years, only one float is carried through the streets on Sunday — either the shrine’s mikoshi (portable shrine), a large male lion, or a female lion. But 2025 is a Main Festival year, which happens once every three years.

This means that on Sunday, June 15, all three floats will be carried together in a grand procession, making the event extra special. Street stalls will be held throughout the weekend and there will be a small festival on Friday at 6 p.m.

June 14 (Sat.)

• Shinto ritual ceremonial dance performances take place all day and smaller town portable shrines will converge at the shrine.

June 15 (Sun.)

• 08:30–15:30: The portable shrines and three lion heads will set off in the morning and go around the whole of Tsukiji before returning to the shrine.