Sanja Festival

This year, the Sanja Matsuri will be held from Friday, May 16th to Sunday, May 19th.

Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo's largest festivals, held every May at Asakusa Shrine in Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo.

It is counted as one of the three major festivals of Edo, and is as prestigious and lively as the Kanda Festival and the Sanno Festival.

It is held every year on the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of May.

This is the event that livens up the town of Asakusa.

Below is a report on the 2023 Sanja Matsuri.

The area in front of Sensoji Temple was very crowded.

Just walking is a struggle.

Sanja in front of Senso-ji

While the mikoshi is being carried, roads are closed to traffic.

Still, people, people, people.

Sanja

Carrying a mikoshi is a great honor for Japanese men and for the people of Asakusa.

If you're a local, you can generally tell which town's mikoshi comes from by looking at the happi coats.

Mikoshi in Sanja

Everyone's backs look cool.

You can see people carrying portable shrines here and there.

Sanj Mikoshi

Sanja

Riding in a rickshaw not only makes travelling easier, but also gives you an elevated view.

Jinrikisha

I bet this child will also carry a mikoshi in the future.

If you are in Asakusa during the third week of May, you cannot miss the Sanja Matsuri!