Sanja Matsuri is one of the largest spring festivals in Tokyo. It is held in May in the Asakusa district, around the Senso-ji temple and the Asakusa Shrine. The festival features portable shrines, called mikoshi, carried through the streets by teams of people. It is loud, busy and friendly, and it gives a first-time visitor a clear look at local festival life. Plan a full day, and arrive early for the best views.
What the festival is
The festival honours the founders of Senso-ji, and it runs for several days in May. Many portable shrines are carried through the old streets around the temple. Each shrine is carried by a group who shout and move in rhythm, and the crowds cheer as they pass. The atmosphere is energetic, and the street food and stalls add to the mood.
The festival is in May, with events on several days. Check the official Senso-ji schedule for the exact days and times, because the parade routes and the start times change from year to year.
Check first: the official Senso-ji and Asakusa Shrine schedule for the parade days, the route and any road closures. Check the transport notices for the days, because stations near Asakusa can be very busy.
Where to watch
The procession moves through the streets around Senso-ji and the Asakusa Shrine. The best viewing spots are along the main lanes and at the temple grounds. The crowds are dense, so choose a spot early and stay there. If you want a calmer view, walk to the side streets and watch the groups pass from a distance.
The shopping street leading to the temple, Nakamise-dori, is busy during the festival. Shops and stalls sell snacks and souvenirs, and the street can be hard to walk on at midday.
Plan the day
- Arrive early, before the main crowd builds.
- Choose a viewing spot on the parade route and keep it.
- Eat a light breakfast and carry water.
- Keep a route to a station that is not on the main street.
The festival is a long day on your feet. Wear comfortable shoes, carry a small towel and a hand fan in spring warmth, and take short breaks in the temple grounds.
Food and rest
Street food is part of the festival. Snacks from the stalls are a good choice for lunch. For a sit-down meal in the area, use Tabelog to find a restaurant near the temple or the station, and check the opening hours on the restaurant page. Many small places close early on festival days, so book ahead if you can.
Respect the temple
Senso-ji is a working temple and a place of prayer. Keep your voice low at the shrine, follow the signs on the paths, and do not block the way for people carrying the shrines. Take photos of the procession from the sides, and avoid using flash near the people carrying the shrines.
Getting to Asakusa
Asakusa is served by several metro lines and by the Tobu railway. The walk from the station to the temple is short but busy on festival days. Arrive by a station on the other side of the district if the main exit is closed, and follow the signs to the temple. Check the transport notices for the festival days before you travel.
Plan to leave the district by a different route than you came. The same street can be full in both directions, and a side street can give you an easier way out.
Make the most of a long day
Visit the temple early, before the parade starts. Join the queue at the main hall while the grounds are calm. Then return to the parade route for the middle of the day. In the afternoon, walk through the older streets near the temple, where the shops and small crafts are easier to enjoy.
Keep your phone charged, and set a meeting point with your group if you go in a crowd. The festival is a good day for a picnic on a bench, if you can find one.
What to do next
Use the planner to add Asakusa to a May trip: the planner. For the city page, read Tokyo guide, and for the district, read Asakusa guide. Check the official festival schedule before you book a hotel close to the route.
