TOKYO - The Sanja Festival at Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo, a signature early-summer tradition of the downtown area, reached its peak on Saturday as groups of local carried mikoshi through the streets in the main 'Rengo Togyo' procession despite the rain.
Around 100 mikoshi from neighborhood associations appeared one after another, drawing cheers from the crowd as their brilliant decorations and vibrant energy lit up the grey skies. Spectators, umbrellas in hand, lined the streets to watch the lively parade, captivated by the spectacle of tradition and community spirit unfolding in the heart of old Tokyo.
The Sanja Festival, one of Tokyo’s most iconic Shinto celebrations, traces its origins back to the early Edo period and honors the three men who founded Asakusa Shrine—Hinokuma Hamanari, Hinokuma Takenari, and Hajino Nakatomo. According to legend, in the year 628, the Hinokuma brothers, who were fishermen, pulled a small statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon from the Sumida River. Hajino, a wealthy landlord and devout Buddhist, recognized its significance and converted the brothers to Buddhism. The three went on to enshrine the statue and propagate the faith, eventually leading to the establishment of Sensō-ji Temple, and later Asakusa Shrine to venerate the three founders. These three figures are deified as the "Three Great Men" of Asakusa, or "Sanja," from which the festival gets its name.
Over the centuries, the festival evolved from a modest religious observance into a grand public spectacle, becoming particularly prominent during the Tokugawa shogunate when it was officially recognized and supported by the ruling samurai class. Held annually in May, the Sanja Festival became a way for local residents to express their devotion, solidarity, and cultural identity. It served not only as a spiritual celebration but also as a display of Edo-style pride, craftsmanship, and communal strength. The tradition of carrying mikoshi—portable shrines believed to house the spirits of the deities during the festival—began as a symbolic gesture to allow the kami to tour and bless the local neighborhoods. Over time, the mikoshi processions grew into one of the most anticipated parts of the event, with each district of Asakusa competing to outshine the others in pageantry and vigor.
Today, the festival draws over a million visitors across its three-day span, particularly on the Saturday of the main procession known as the Rengo Togyo, when approximately 100 mikoshi from neighborhood associations are carried through the streets. Participants dressed in traditional happi coats and tabi shoes shout in rhythm as they shoulder the weighty shrines, parading through the historic downtown under flags and banners. The atmosphere blends reverence and exuberance, often accompanied by music, food stalls, and crowds of tourists. Despite modern influences and occasional weather disruptions like this year’s rain, the Sanja Festival continues to be a vivid reminder of Tokyo’s deep cultural roots and the enduring power of community-driven tradition.
Source: Kyodo
