Many thanks for choosing Tokyo Free Walking Tour in Asakusa and Ueno Park on May 21. We welcomed 27 people from America, Canda, Italy, Ireland, Croatia, Australia, India and Singapore. It was as hot as midsummer, but we hope you enjoyed walking with us. As mentioned, the photos we took during the tour are posted.
Perhaps, some of you have experienced that the Sanja Festival has been successfully celebrated in Asakusa from May 16 to 18. It is said to be one of The Three Great Festivals of Tokyo, together with the Kanda and Sanno festivals. Asakusa was filled with people. It seems that the same number of people came to see the spectacular events as last year(1.9 million).
One of the main highlights was the parade of about 100 local mikoshis (portable shrines) from 44 neighboring towns of Ujiko(Shinto parishioners) on the second day. Unfortunately, it was rainy but the mikoshi parade was successfully performed. Each portable shrine was carried by the Ujiko and other people on their shoulders. First, approximately 100 portable shrines were mobilized in the back of the Sensoji main hall. After being purified by the Asakusa Shrine priest, each mikoshi left the Shrine one by one, paraded through the Nakamise Shopping Street, and returned to their town.
The parade was vibrant and breathtaking. We could hear the carriers breathing. Knowing the divine spirit transferred, the carriers move violently the incredibly heavy mikoshi up, down, left and right during the parade. It is believed that shaking the mikoshi will enhance the divine power and bring good luck and prosperity to the local people. Watching the portable shrine passing through the Kaminarimon gate is impressive.
The other highlight was the parade of the three main mikoshis which were housed at Asakusa Shrine on the third day. It was a nice Weather. They left Asakusa Shrine early in the morning, divided by three routes, paraded through the Ujiko’s towns and returned to Asakusa Shrine late in the evening. Each of the three portable shrines is gorgeous and heavier (perhaps 1,000 kilograms in weight) than the others which were carried by about 80 to 100 people. The powerful sound of the bearers resounds and the performance of shaking the mikoshi looks dynamic and thrilling. This is a once-a-year opportunity and it’s an aspiration for every carrier to bear one of them on their shoulders. Carrying the mikoshi seems to make each carrier feel a sense of purpose in life.
By the way, the festival is said to have begun in the Kamakura period(1185-1333) about 700 years ago. ‘Sanja’ of Sanja festival, meaning ‘three men’ represents the Shinto gods enshrined at Asakusa Shrine. According to legend, two fishermen and their village chief who were engaged in finding the goddess of mercy statue of Sensoji Temple in the 7th century are enshrined at Asakusa Shrine. The festival is an event held in honor of the three men. Although Asakusa Shrine was integrated into Sensoji Temple until the end of the Edo period(1603-1867), Asakusa Shrine became independent in the beginning of the Meiji period(1868-1912) and since then, Sanja Festival has been performed as the festival of Asakusa Shrine in May.
The mikoshi parade is a spectacular performance. Only those who have seen it can appreciate its charm. .It may be too early to say, but the next Sanja Festival is expected to be on May 15-17 in 2026.
Thank you for joining us in Asakusa and Ueno Park and we look forward to seeing you on other occasions.
(Yoshi)