8 January

Dondo Yaki

Torigoe Temple, Daitoku, Tokyo

Mochi is toasted over fires of burning Shogatsu decorations.

13 January

Daikoku Festival

Kanda Myojin Shrine, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

A purification ceremony at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo during which people, wearing loincloths or white gowns, pour icy water over themselves in the morning.

24 January

Sugamo Togenuki Jizo Taisai

Kogan-ji Temple, Toyoshima-ku, Tokyo

Approximately twenty priests read the “Sutra of Great Wisdom” while the temple and its surrounds have street stalls and visitors.

25 January

Usokae Shinji

Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Eto-ku, Tokyo

Visitors exchange their year-old bullfinch carvings for new ones.  The exchange symbolizes exchanging last year’s bad luck for good luck in the coming year.

3 February

Nishiarai Daruma Kuyo

Nishiarai Daishi Temple, Adachi, Tokyo

This is one of Japan’s biggest Daruma festivals.

6 February

Tako-ichi

Iji Inari Shrine, Kita-ku, Tokyo

An annual kite market that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867) when kites were thought to cut through the wind and stop fires from spreading.

3-4 March

Jindai-ji Daruma-ichi

Jindai-ji Temple, Choufu, Tokyo

An annual market that sells Daruma dolls for good luck.

The weekend closest to 15 May

Kanda Festival

Kanda Myojin Shrine, Tokyo

Approximately 200 mikoshi, floats and dancers in wagons parade through the downtown area in honor of the deities of the Kanda Shrine, accompanies by Shinto priests on horseback.  The major festival is held in odd-numbered years, however a minor festival is held in even-numbered years.

16-21 May

Sanja Festival

Asakusa, Tokyo

A parade of approximately 100 portable shrines make this one of the biggest mikoshi parades in Japan.  Many geisha dressed in traditional dress and make-up participate in this festival, which attracts over 2 million visitors every year.

10-16 June (only during even-numbered years)

Sanno Festival

Hie Shrine, Tokyo

This festival dates back to 1478 when festivities were held to pray for good fortune during the construction of the Edo Castle.  The festival features a parade of people in the traditional dress of the Imperial court.

6-8 July

Iriya no Asagao-ichi

Kishibo-jin Shrine, Taito Ward, Tokyo

Iriya flowers are thought to symbolize the start of summer and are believed to bring good luck.  Every year thousands of people visit the area to buy flowers from street vendors.

9-10 July

Shiman Rokusen-nichi

Sensou-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

“Shiman Rokusen-nichi” means “day of 46,000”.  It is believed that a visit to Sensou-ji Temple on July 9 or 10 is the equivalent of visiting on 46,000 regular days.  Thousands of people flock to the temple during this period and hundreds of street stalls sell potted ground cherry plants and wind chimes.

27 July

Sumida River Fireworks Display

Sumida River, Asakusa, Tokyo

This is one of the biggest fireworks displays in Japan, and is said to date back to Edo times (1603-1867) when fireworks makers gathered to compete to create the most spectacular displays.

15-18 August

Tomioka Hachimangu Festival

Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, Koto-ku, Tokyo

This festival is held three times a year and features a large parade that travels along a 6km route with participants being sprayed with water by onlookers.

27-28 August

Koenji Awa Odor Festival

Suginami City, Tokyo

A huge festival that features thousands of people dancing in the streets to traditional music.

25-26 September

Fukuro Festival

Ikebukuro, Tokyo

This is a commercially sponsored festival to promote tourism.  Events include taiko drumming, dancing and martial arts demonstrations.

October 10-17

Dai Ginza Festival

Ginza, Tokyo

This festival features parades and various street vendors.

10 October

Ana-hachimangu Yabusame

Ana-hachimangu Shrine, Tokyo

This festival features demonstrations of Japanese horseback archery.

Late October

Edo Tenka Festival

Hibiya Park, Tokyo

Nine mikoshi and 12 floats accompany a large happi-wearing procession from Hibiya Park to the Imperial Palace.

15 November

Shichi-Go-San Festival

Nationwide

Children age three, five and seven years are dressed in kimono and taken to shrines to pray for their future health and good fortune.

15-16 December

Setagaya no Boro Ichi

Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Numerous street vendors and shoppers crowd the streets at this market festival that dates back the 1500’s.

17-19 December

Asakusa Kannon Hagoita-ichi

Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

Approximately 50 stallholders crowd the temple grounds to sell the paddles used in hanestuki, a traditional new years game.