Sanja Matsuri
MatsuriKanto(Tokyo)
Annual eventDates
2026-05-15 — 2026-05-17
Venue
Asakusa Shrine and Asakusa district
Admission
Free
Crowd Level
Extremely crowdedTokyo's wildest festival at Asakusa Shrine with over 100 portable shrines.
Sanja Matsuri is Tokyo's most exciting and rowdy festival, held annually at Asakusa Shrine on the third weekend of May. Over 100 mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets of Asakusa by thousands of enthusiastic bearers. The festival culminates on Sunday with the dramatic procession of three main mikoshi, drawing nearly two million visitors over three days.
Highlights
Over 100 mikoshi paraded through Asakusa streets; Sunday's three main shrine mikoshi procession; Traditional music and dance performances at Asakusa Shrine
Access
5-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Tobu Skytree Line). The festival area centers around Asakusa Shrine, adjacent to Senso-ji Temple.
Tips for Visitors
Sunday is the most spectacular but also the most crowded day. Arrive early morning to see the main mikoshi depart from the shrine. Be prepared for very large crowds and plan exit routes in advance.