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Sanja Festival
Sanja Festival
The Sanja Matsuri or Sanja Festival is the biggest of Tokyo's
three great festivals, along with the Kanda Festival and Sanno
Festival, which alternate every year. During the annual festival
thousands of frenzied devotees gather for traditional portable
shrine processions, ancient ritual music and dancing, and other
festivities. The processions are in honour of the three resident
deities of the Asakusa Shrine, who are paraded through the streets
in huge, elaborately decorated mikoshi or portable shrines carried
on the shoulders of dozens of strong men dressed in traditional
festival clothing, and surrounded by chanting worshippers. Up to
100 other mikoshi are carried around in processions meant to bring
blessings and good luck to the area and its inhabitants. For more
information contact the Tourist Information Centre on +81 (03) 3201
3331.
Venue: Asakusa Shrine area
Date: 15 May 2010
Time: 7am to 7pm