Akasaka Hikawa Festival Reaches Climax

Sep 13, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Historic floats and a shrine mikoshi paraded through Tokyo's Akasaka district as the centuries-old Akasaka Hikawa Festival reached its climax with its traditional Shinkosai procession.

The festival, which dates back to the Edo period, entered its third day with participants dressed in kimono and happi coats leading the procession through the streets.

Two valuable Hikawa floats handed down since the Edo period joined the parade, along with a shrine mikoshi that marks 10 years since its revival, as large crowds gathered along the route to watch.

Participants carrying the mikoshi described the weight and significance of taking part in the procession. "It's really heavy," one said. Another said, "I was able to carry the shrine mikoshi, which is the heaviest one, and I'm overwhelmed with emotion."

Spectators were also impressed by the scale of the procession. "The mikoshi was more powerful and really worth seeing," one spectator said. Another said, "I was surprised by how big the mikoshi was."

The Akasaka Hikawa Festival will conclude with its annual grand festival on September 15.

Source: TBS

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