Sanno Matsuri

What to know

In 2026, the festival's grand parade will be held on June 12.

Taking place in mid-June, the Sanno Matsuri (山王祭, Sannō Matsuri) is one of Tokyo's three most famous festivals, alongside the Kanda Matsuri and Fukagawa Matsuri. A full-scale version is held only in even-numbered years, alternating with the Kanda Matsuri (odd-numbered years). The festival spans a week with various events, but most are relatively small.

The main attraction, occurring only in even-numbered years, is a parade that winds through central Tokyo for ten hours on one festival day. It starts and ends at Hie Shrine, the shrine responsible for the festival. Hie Shrine enshrines Tokyo's guardian deity and is believed to predate the city's foundation; its kami (Shinto gods) have always been associated with protecting the city.

When the Tokugawa shogun ruled from Edo (Tokyo's former name), the shrine became linked to the Tokugawa family. During their rule, the festival celebrated the nation's new political center and its rulers.

In modern times, the parade has become much smaller to avoid disrupting traffic and business. Many roads along the route are only partially closed, with busy traffic running alongside the parade. The procession includes modestly sized floats and about 500 people in colorful costumes. The most important part is three portable shrines (mikoshi) carrying the kami around the city.

At Hie Shrine, where the parade begins in the morning, visitors can see a large straw ring in the shrine grounds. Walking through it is a purification ritual visitors can join. The parade winds through the area, passing Yotsuya Station and Yasukuni Shrine. Around noon, it arrives at the Tokyo Imperial Palace and stops for about half an hour while the mikoshi are involved in religious ceremonies. The chief priest enters the palace to offer prayers to the emperor and imperial family, a rare honor for the festival.