The Sanja Matsuri (festival) celebrates the Asakusa shrine in Tokyo, Japan. It takes place the third weekend of May. Two million people participate in the three-day affair.

On the third day, the 100 Omikoshi (portable shrines) tours Tokyo. The priests bless and purify the shrines on the festival’s second day. This Omikoshi is taken from the precincts in the morning.

All day long, the Omikoshi which carries a deity is paraded in communities. Each shrine travels in different areas of Tokyo. Musicians, performers and dancers follow the shrines. People leave their homes and watch the ornate shrines travel down the street. The watchers errupt in cheers as the shrine passes along.

In the evening, the Omikoshi is returned to its precinct. This ends the festivities until the next year.

Go view all three days of Sanja Matsuri. It is one of Tokyo’s largest festivals. Visit the open-air merchant booths. Do not forgo the colorful experience.

Sanja Matsuri, (Day 1)
Sanja Matsuri, (Day 2)

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