Sanja Matsuri三社祭

The grand annual festival of Asakusa Shrine, in which the spirits of its three deities — Haji no Matsuchi, Hinokuma no Hamanari and Hinokuma no Takenari — are transferred into the shrine's mikoshi and carried through the neighbourhoods of Asakusa.

The festival is observed over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday around the third Saturday of May. It opens with the ceremony transferring the deities' spirits into the mikoshi on the eve; on the first day a grand procession passes through Asakusa and the binzasara dance is offered at the shrine. The second day brings the festival rite and the joint procession of neighbourhood mikoshi, and on the final day the three main mikoshi — Ichi-no-miya, Ni-no-miya and San-no-miya — leave the shrine at dawn (miyadashi), travel through each parish, and return at night (miyairi).

This is a religious rite rooted in a shrine or temple. Please follow the guidance of the organizers and clergy, and take care not to disrupt the ceremonies.

According to Asakusa Shrine, a boat festival based on the shrine's founding legend is said to have begun in 1312 (Shōwa 1), continuing until the end of the Edo period before lapsing in the Meiji era. The festival was once held on the 17th and 18th of the third month; in the Meiji period it moved to May 17–18, and today it takes place on the Friday–Sunday around the third Saturday of May.

Source: 浅草神社(external site, opens in a new tab)

Sanja Matsuri is a Shinto rite in which the three deities of Asakusa Shrine are transferred into mikoshi and welcomed into the parish neighbourhoods. The mikoshi is the vessel that joins the community and the gods; by carrying the spirits through their streets, each neighbourhood's bearers pray for the peace and prosperity of the district. The binzasara dance offered on the first day is a form of dengaku performed in prayer for an abundant harvest.

1. 01

   Transfer of the deities' spirits into the mikoshi

   On the eve of the festival, the spirits of the three deities are transferred into the shrine's main mikoshi.

2. 02

   Grand procession and binzasara dance

   On the first day a grand procession walks through Asakusa, after which the binzasara dance is offered at the shrine in prayer for a good harvest and prosperity.

3. 03

   Festival rite and joint neighbourhood mikoshi procession

   On the second day the grand festival rite is held and the neighbourhood mikoshi process together.

4. 04

   Miyadashi and miyairi

   On the final day the three main mikoshi leave the precincts at dawn, travel through the parishes, and return to the shrine at night.

The mikoshi are borne by members of the parish neighbourhood associations, and the binzasara dance is offered by parishioners.

• Sanja Matsuri令和8年 浅草神社例大祭 三社祭

• Sanja Matsuri【浅草神社】由緒と三社祭

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The schedule and times are announced each year on the Asakusa Shrine website and may change; check the latest information before visiting.

Traffic controls, seating and fees change every year. Always check the official website for the latest information.

Official website — asakusajinja.jp(external site, opens in a new tab)

• The mikoshi carry the deities' spirits; do not block their path or touch them without permission.
• Within the shrine precincts, conduct yourself as a worshipper would.
• Follow the directions of the bearers and security staff and watch from a safe distance.

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2. 2.三社祭 日程 – 浅草神社(external site, opens in a new tab)浅草神社 · Accessed 2026-09-26
3. 3.びんざさら舞 – 浅草神社(external site, opens in a new tab)浅草神社 · Accessed 2026-09-26
4. 4.Asakusa Shrine - Wikipedia(external site, opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · Accessed 2026-09-26