The “Events” section of the Tokyo Shitamachi Guide highlights limited-time events in Tokyo’s Shitamachi area (along and east of the Sumida River). Each blog post recommends one interesting event for your Tokyo sightseeing.
This post features major events in the Asakusa area for 2024. Check it out when you’re visiting Tokyo’s Shitamachi, especially Asakusa.
Please note that the dates and times listed are tentative. For the latest details, please refer to the official website of each event.
January 2024
Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple’s Daikon (Radish) Festival
At Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple, there’s a tradition of offering daikon, a common type of radish in Japan, to Daisho Kangiten, the temple’s principal deity.
During the Daikon Festival, the temple serves meals made from the daikon offered after New Year’s Day to visitors.
- Location: Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple
- Scheduled Date: January 7 (Sun.)
- Scheduled Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “Origin of the Daikon Festival” on the official Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple website.
New Year’s Mochi (Rice Cake) Pounding and Seven Herb Congee at Otori Shrine
Otori Shrine serves Seven Herb Congee to pray for the good health and prosperity of its worshippers in the coming year. Additionally, the Otori Mai, a traditional Kagura dance, is performed at this event.
- Location: Otori Shrine
- Scheduled date: January 7 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Note: The Otori Mai will be performed at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
For more information about this event, please refer to the event brochure “The 26th New Year’s Rice Cake Pounding and Seven Herb Congee.” For more information about the Otori Mai, please refer to the article “The Otori Mai” on the official Otori Shrine website.
Sensoji Temple’s Moja-Okuri (Sending-off Ritual for Evil Spirits)
Every January, Sensoji Temple holds a Buddhist ritual called Onza-Hiho-Darani-E. This seven-day event consists of prayers for peace in Japan and around the world, with Moja-Okuri being the final prayer of the series.
- Location: Sensoji Temple
- Scheduled date: January 18 (Thu.)
- Scheduled time: 5 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “Onza-Hiho-Darani-E” on the official Sensoji Temple website.
Asakusa Hatsuka Ebisu at Asakusa Shrine
Asakusa Shrine enshrines Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japan, known for blessing financial fortune and business success.
Asakusa Hatsuka Ebisu celebrates the first Ebisu day of the year. Visiting and praying to Ebisu on this day is believed to create a strong connection with this deity.
- Location: Asakusa Shrine
- Scheduled date: January 19 (Fri.) and 20 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “Asakusa Hatsuka Ebisu” on the official Asakusa Shrine website.
February 2024
Sensoji Temple’s Setsubun Festival
Setsubun is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated each year around February 3rd or 4th, marking the end of winter by the lunar calendar. This symbolic event celebrates the arrival of a new season by dispelling evils and praying for prosperity.
- Location: Sensoji Temple
- Scheduled date: February 3 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: Noon and 2 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “Setsubun” on the official Sensoji Temple website.
Asakusa Shrine’s Setsubun Festival
- Location: Asakusa Shrine
- Scheduled date: February 3 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “令和 6 年 節分祭ご案内” on the official Asakusa Shrine website.
Ishihama Shrine’s Setsubun Festival
- Location: Ishihama Shrine
- Scheduled date: February 3 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: 4 p.m.
- Note:
Otori Shrine’s Setsubun Festival
- Location: Otori Shrine
- Scheduled date: February 3 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Note:
The 11th Oedo Yoshiwara Setsubun Ghost Costume Contest
- Location: Hanazono Park
- Scheduled date: February 4 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: Noon to 4 p.m.
- Note: The contest will start at 1 p.m.
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “The 11th Oedo Yoshiwara Setsubun Ghost Costume Contest” on the official Asakusa Tourism Federation website.
Sensoji Temple’s Hari-Kuyo Ceremony
“Hari” means sewing needles, and “Kuyo” means to honor. The Hari-Kuyo is a Japanese Buddhist ceremony that honors broken or old sewing needles and tools.
This ceremony involves three main aspects: expressing gratitude to sewing tools, praying for improved sewing skills, and ensuring safety in sewing work.
- Location: Awashima-Do Hall at Sensoji Temple
- Scheduled date: February 8 (Thu.)
- Scheduled time: 11 a.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “針供養会” on the official Sensoji Temple website.
Asakusa Shrine’s Kinen-Sai Festival
Asakusa Shrine’s Kinen-Sai Festival
“Kinen” means to pray for a good harvest, and “Sai” means festival. The Kinen-Sai is a ceremony held in early spring before rice planting to pray for safety and a bountiful harvest in the coming year. During the Kinen-Sai at Asakusa Shrine, a Miko-Mai, a traditional Shinto ceremonial dance, will be performed.
- Location: Otori Shrine
- Scheduled date: February 17 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: 10 a.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “祈年祭斎行のお知らせ” on the official Asakusa Shrine website.
March 2024
Hikan Inari Shrine’s Annual Festival
Hikan Inari Shrine is a small shrine located within the grounds of Asakusa Shrine. It is famous for blessings related to success in life and improvement in the performing arts.
During this festival, various traditional performing arts, such as Edo Gei Kappore and Edo String Puppet Shows, are dedicated to the altar.
- Location: Hikan Inari Shrine
- Scheduled date: March 18 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: 11 a.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “令和 6 年 被官稲荷神社例祭・奉納芸能” on the official Asakusa Shrine website.
Celebrating the Manifestation of Sensoji Temple’s Main Deity
Sensoji Temple enshrines a statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon as its main deity. According to the temple, the statue was found in the Sumida River by two fisherman brothers on March 18, 628.
Sensoji Temple started when a local influential person enshrined this statue. Asakusa Shrine also honors the fisherman brothers and this influential person as local gods. Because of this, Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine hold a memorial service every year on March 18.
- Location: Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine
- Scheduled date: March 17 (Sun.) and 18 (Mon.)
- Scheduled time: 5 p.m. on March 17, and 9 a.m. on March 18
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “浅草寺 本尊示現会” on the official Asakusa Shrine website.
Sensoji Temple’s Kinryu-No-Mai (Golden Dragon Dance)
Sensoji Temple’s Kinryu-no-mai is part of the celebration for the manifestation of its main deity. An 18-meter long golden dragon parades through the temple grounds and Nakamise Shopping Street.
- Location: Sensoji Temple
- Scheduled date: March 18 (Mon.)
- Scheduled time: 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “浅草寺 寺舞（せんそうじ じまい）” on the official Sensoji Temple website.
The 36th Sakura-Bashi Bridge Flower Festival
- Location: Taito Reverside Sports Center
- Scheduled date: March 30 (Sat.) and 31 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “第 36 回「桜橋花まつり」を開催します” on the official Taito City website.
April 2024
Sensoji Temple’s Shirasagi-No-Mai (White Heron Dance)
One of the picture scrolls depicting the history and legends of Sensoji Temple is the Keian Engi Emaki, produced in 1652 during the Edo period.
Sensoji Temple’s Shirasagi-no-mai is a reproduction of the Sagi-mai (Heron Dance) depicted in the Keian Engi Emaki. The Sagi-mai originated as a dance dedicated to the Gion Festival at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto.
- Location: Sensoji Temple
- Scheduled date: April 14 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: 11:30 a.m. and 2:40 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “浅草寺 寺舞（せんそうじ じまい）” on the official Sensoji Temple website.
Asakusa Yabusame and Kusajishi
Asakusa Yabusame and Kusajishi are modern reenactments of a New Year’s ritual held at Asakusa Shrine during the Edo period (16th to 19th century).
Yabusame involves shooting arrows at a target while riding a running horse. Kusajishi is a sport where participants shoot arrows at a deer-shaped target from a distance of 20 meters.
- Location: Sanya-Bori Hiroba in Sumida Park
- Scheduled date: April 20 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (Kusajishi) and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Asakusa Yabusame)
- Note: While Kusajishi is a free event, Asakusa Yabusame is a paid event.
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “浅草 流鏑馬” on the official Taito City website.
Tamashime Inari Shrine’s Shoe Market (Kon-Kon Kutsu Ichi)
Since the Edo period, the neighborhood around Tamashime Inari Shrine has been a major center for shoe and leather production. Many of the shrine’s parishioners work in these industries, earning it the nickname “Shoe Shrine.”
The Shoe Market is held every April and November. You can buy leather products like shoes and bags at discounted prices. The market also features a memorial service for old shoes.
- Location: Tamashime Inari Shrine
- Scheduled date: April 27 (Sat.) and 28 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “こんこん靴市” on the official Taito City website.
May 2024
Shitaya Shrine’s Annual Festival
We have an old saying that “summer festivals in Edo (Tokyo) start in Shitaya.” Shitaya Shrine’s Annual Festival kicks off the summer festival season in Tokyo’s shitamachi area. This annual event precedes the Sanja Matsuri Festival at Asakusa Shrine and the Kanda Festival at Kanda Shrine.
- Location: Shitaya Shrine
- Scheduled date: May 10 (Fri.), 11 (Sat.) and 12 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time:
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “令和六年下谷神社大祭の日程が決まりました” on the official Shitaya Shrine website.
Asakusa Shrine’s Sanja Matsuri Festival
“Sanja” refers to the three pillars of deities. Asakusa Shrine enshrines the three individuals who contributed to the founding of Sensoji Temple as local deities.
During the Sanja Matsuri Festival, these three deities are carried in their own mikoshi (portable shrines) and paraded through the streets of Asakusa.
The Sanja Matsuri Festival at Asakusa Shrine is one of Japan’s largest festivals. In 2017, the festival attracted over 2 million attendees.
- Location: Asakusa Shrine and Sensoji Temple
- Scheduled date: May 17 (Fri.), 18 (Sat.) and 19 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time:
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “三社祭の日程” on the official Asakusa Shrine website.
Yoshiwara Shrine’s Annual Festival
- Location: Yoshiwara Shrine
- Scheduled date: May 17 (Fri.), 18 (Sat.) and 19 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time:
- Note:
O-Fuji-San No Ueki-Ichi (Mt. Fuji’s Plant Fair)
Asakusa Fuji Sengen Shrine is a subordinate shrine of Asakusa Shrine, dedicated to a beautiful goddess symbolizing Mt. Fuji.
O-Fuji-San No Ueki-Ichi is the shrine’s annual festival with over 400 years of history. Alongside the Hydrangea Festival at Chokokuji Temple, this plant market marks a seasonal early summer event in Asakusa.
- Location: Asakusa Fuji Sengen Shrine
- Scheduled date: May 27 (Sat.) and 28 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Note:
Ishihama Shrine’s Annual Festival
- Location: Ishihama Shrine
- Scheduled date: May 27 (Sat.) and 28 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: 10:30 on May 27, and 11 a.m. on May 28
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the official Facebook page of Ishihama Shrine.
June 2024
Imado Shrine’s Annual Festival
- Location: Imado Shrine
- Scheduled date: June 1 (Sat.) and 2 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time:
- Note:
Sakaki Shrine’s Annual Festival
- Location: Sakaki Shrine
- Scheduled date: June 1 (Sat.) and 2 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time:
- Note:
Torigoe Shrine’s Annual Festival
- Location: Torigoe Shrine
- Scheduled date: June 7 (Fri.), 8 (Sat.) and 9 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time:
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the official X account of Torigoe Shrine.
Asakusa Iki-Iki Ajisai Matsuri (Chokokuji Temple’s Hydrangea Festival)
- Location: Chokokuji Temple and Yoshiwara Shrine
- Scheduled date: June 15 (Sat.) and 16 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: Noon to 5 p.m. on June 15, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 16th
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “浅草いきいき あじさい祭” on the official Chokokuji Temple website.
O-Fuji-San No Ueki-Ichi (Mt. Fuji’s Plant Fair)
Asakusa Fuji Sengen Shrine is a subordinate shrine of Asakusa Shrine, dedicated to a beautiful goddess symbolizing Mt. Fuji.
O-Fuji-San No Ueki-Ichi is the shrine’s annual festival with over 400 years of history. Alongside the Hydrangea Festival at Chokokuji Temple, this plant market marks a seasonal early summer event in Asakusa.
- Location: Asakusa Fuji Sengen Shrine
- Scheduled date: June 29 (Sat.) and 30 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Note:
Chigaya-No-Wa Kuguri (Passing Through the Chigaya Ring)
Chigaya-no-wa kuguri is a ritual that is part of Nagoshi no Harai, a Shinto ceremony observed at shrines nationwide on June 30th. It is believed that passing through the Chigaya Ring three times in a figure-eight pattern purifies both body and mind, warding off misfortune.
- Location: Asakusa Shrine, Torigoe Shrine, Sakaki Shrine, Onoterusaki Shrine, Moto-Mishima Shrine, etc.
- Scheduled date: June 30 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time:
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “茅の輪くぐり” on the official Taito City website.
July 2024
Natsumode
- Location: Asakusa Shrine, Akiba Shrine, Gojo Tenjin Shrine, Yasaki Inari Shrine, Moto-Mishima Shrine, Torigoe Shrine, Imado Shrine, Otori Shrine, Sensoku Inari Shrine, Onoterusaki Shrine, Mishima Shrine, etc.
- Scheduled date: July 1 (Mon.) to 7 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time:
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the official Narusumode website.
The 36th Shitamachi Tanabata Festival
- Location: Kappabashi-Hon-Dori Street
- Scheduled date: July 6 (Sat.) and 7 (Sun.)
- Scheduled time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the official Shitamachi Tanabata website.
Sensoji Temple’s Graund Cherry Market (Hoozuki Ichi)
- Location: Sensoji Temple
- Scheduled date: July 9 (Tue.) and 10 (Wed.)
- Scheduled time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the article “四万六千日・ほおずき市” on the official Sensoji Temple website.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival
- Location: Sakura-Bashi Bridge and Komagata-Bashi Bridge over the Sumida River
- Scheduled date: July 27 (Sat.)
- Scheduled time: 7 p.m.
- Note:
For more information about this event, please refer to the official website.
