# Asakusa: temple fairs, festivals and old Tokyo

Asakusa is the part of Tokyo that still runs on the old calendar. [Sensoji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%892-3-1), the city's oldest temple, sits at its centre, and around it come the Sanja Matsuri in May, the ground cherry market in July, a samba parade in late August and the battledore fair in December, with a rakugo hall and a tiny retro amusement park a few streets away. The list below is updated daily with events in and around the area.

## Sensoji, Nakamise and the temple year

You enter through [Kaminarimon](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%9B%B7%E9%96%80%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%892-3-1), the gate with the giant red lantern, and walk up [Nakamise](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BB%B2%E8%A6%8B%E4%B8%96%E5%95%86%E5%BA%97%E8%A1%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%891%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), a street of small snack and souvenir shops, to the main hall. The main hall opens early in the morning and closes in the late afternoon, but the grounds stay open and the buildings are lit up after dark. [Asakusa Shrine](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%892-3-1), home of the Sanja Matsuri, stands just to the right of the main hall.

Sensoji keeps fairs on fixed dates every year. On July 9 and 10 the ground cherry market (hozuki-ichi) fills the grounds with stalls of orange lantern plants, and a visit on July 10 is said to count as 46,000 days of prayer. On December 17, 18 and 19 the battledore fair (hagoita-ichi) brings stalls of richly decorated hagoita paddles, many with kabuki actors on them. The golden dragon dance comes on March 18, Setsubun bean throwing in early February, and at New Year the hatsumode queue can stretch back to Kaminarimon.

- Omikuji fortunes at Sensoji are known for giving bad luck fairly often. If you get one, tie it to the rack and leave it behind.
- Nakamise shops open mid-morning and close in the early evening. Before 9am you get the street almost to yourself.

- → [New Year in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/new-year.md)
- → [Setsubun in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/setsubun.md)
- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)
- → [Cultural & Ethnic Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/culture.md)

## Sanja Matsuri, the samba parade and fireworks

[Sanja Matsuri](https://asakusajinja.jp/sanjamatsuri/), on the third weekend of May, is the biggest weekend of the Asakusa year. On Saturday around a hundred neighbourhood mikoshi are carried through the streets, and on Sunday the shrine's three main mikoshi leave early in the morning and come back after dark. Expect packed streets and closed roads; stand at the side of the route and let the bearers pass.

In late August the Asakusa Samba Carnival sends samba teams in costume down Umamichi-dori and Kaminarimon-dori in a competition parade, a local tradition since the early 1980s. On the last Saturday of July the [Sumida River Fireworks](https://www.sumidagawa-hanabi.com/) go up from two sites on the river, one upstream and one just downstream of Asakusa, and in November the Tori-no-ichi rake fair is held at [Otori Shrine](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%B7%B2%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E5%8D%83%E6%9D%9F3-18-7), a walk north of Sensoji. On Culture Day (November 3) the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri costume parade circles the temple.

- On fireworks night the streets near the river close to traffic early and Asakusa Station is very crowded. Plan to walk home part of the way.
- For the samba parade, the area near Kaminarimon fills first. The upper part of Umamichi-dori is usually easier.

- → [Matsuri in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/matsuri.md)
- → [The biggest festivals in Tokyo worth planning a trip around](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/best-festivals.md)
- → [Fireworks festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/fireworks.md)
- → [Cherry blossom season in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/sakura.md)
- → [Matsuri & Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/matsuri.md)
- → [Fireworks (Hanabi) events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/fireworks.md)
- → [Events in Sumida](https://eventstokyo.com/en/sumida.md)

## Rakugo, Hanayashiki and an evening in Rokku

West of Sensoji is Rokku, the old entertainment street. [Asakusa Engei Hall](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E6%BC%94%E8%8A%B8%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%891-43-12) here is one of Tokyo's four yose halls that run comic storytelling almost every day of the year. There is no booking: pay at the door and stay as long as you like, since the afternoon and evening shows usually run on without clearing the hall. The rakugo is in Japanese, but the variety acts in between, like paper cutting and juggling, need no language at all.

[Hanayashiki](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E8%8A%B1%E3%82%84%E3%81%97%E3%81%8D%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%892-28-1), a few minutes from Sensoji, opened in 1853 as a flower garden and was rebuilt as an amusement park after the war. Its roller coaster has run since 1953, the oldest operating one in Japan. For dinner, the street of yakitori and stew bars around Rokku is the classic Asakusa evening.

[Kappabashi](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%8B%E3%81%A3%E3%81%B1%E6%A9%8B%E9%81%93%E5%85%B7%E8%A1%97%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%9D%BE%E3%81%8C%E8%B0%B73%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE&query_place_id=ChIJXYV-6JWOGGAR85vIZbM1RCE), between Asakusa and Ueno, is a kitchenware street of knives, lacquer bowls and plastic food samples. Many shops close on Sundays, and around October 9 (Tool Day) it holds a yearly tool fair.

- → [Kabuki, noh and rakugo in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kabuki.md)
- → [Theme parks around Tokyo and their seasonal events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/theme-parks.md)
- → [Tokyo with kids](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/kids.md)
- → [Shows & Entertainment events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/entertainment.md)
- → [Food & Drink events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/food-drink.md)

## Getting there, Skytree and the river

[Asakusa Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%20%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%891-1-3) is served by the Ginza Line, the Toei Asakusa Line and the Tobu Skytree Line, and the Tsukuba Express has its own [Asakusa Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%A4%E3%81%8F%E3%81%B0%E3%82%A8%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%E3%83%97%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B9%20%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E8%A5%BF%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%893-1-11&query_place_id=ChIJ8UU86L-OGGARn9PySbX_CnM) a few minutes west, closer to Rokku and Engei Hall. Ueno is a short ride away on the Ginza Line.

[Tokyo Skytree](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AB%E3%82%A4%E3%83%84%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E6%8A%BC%E4%B8%8A1-1-1) stands across the river in Sumida. You can walk there in about 20 minutes over [Azumabashi bridge](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%90%BE%E5%A6%BB%E6%A9%8B%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%90%BE%E5%A6%BB%E6%A9%8B1%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) or take the Tobu line one stop. From the pier next to Azumabashi, [water buses](https://www.suijobus.co.jp/en/) run down the Sumida River to Hinode Pier, Hama-rikyu and Odaiba. Two companies run boats from separate piers, so check which pier your ticket is for. Rickshaw pullers wait around Kaminarimon and offer short tours of the backstreets, often in English, priced by the length of the ride.

- Coin lockers at Asakusa Station fill up early on festival days. Leave big bags at your hotel.

- → [Ueno and Yanaka: museums, parks and old streets](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/ueno.md)
- → [Odaiba, Ariake and Toyosu: events on the bay](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/odaiba.md)
- → [Date ideas in Tokyo, built around events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/date-ideas.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)
- → [Events in Sumida](https://eventstokyo.com/en/sumida.md)

## Beating the crowds

Asakusa is busiest from late morning to late afternoon, especially on weekends. Early morning is the best time, when locals come to pray before work. Evening is good too, once the shops close and the temple is lit up.

On the big days (New Year, Sanja Matsuri, fireworks night, the samba parade) walk in from [Tawaramachi](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E9%8A%80%E5%BA%A7%E7%B7%9A%20%E7%94%B0%E5%8E%9F%E7%94%BA%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E8%A5%BF%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%891-1-18) or [Kuramae](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%83%BD%E5%96%B6%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E7%B7%9A%20%E8%94%B5%E5%89%8D%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E8%94%B5%E5%89%8D2-3-1) instead of fighting through Asakusa Station. Carry your trash with you, since bins are rare, and use a station or cafe toilet before you head into the crowd.

- Weekday mornings are the calmest time for photos at Kaminarimon.
- Festival stalls and temple fairs are mostly cash only. Bring coins and 1,000-yen notes.

- → [Taking photos at Tokyo events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/photography.md)
- → [How to spend a weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/weekend.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)
- → [Free events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/free.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Hatsumode at Sensoji 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hatsumode-at-sensoji-2027-7919)** — Fri, Jan 1, 2027 – Sun, Jan 3, 2027 (JST) · Sensoji Temple (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/asakusa-tori-no-ichi-festival)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Thu, Nov 19, 2026 (JST) · Asakusa Tori-no-Tera / Chokokuji (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Hagoita-ichi Battledore Market 2026 (Sensoji)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hagoita-ichi-battledore-market-2026-sensoji-7925)** — Thu, Dec 17, 2026 – Sat, Dec 19, 2026 (JST) · Sensoji Temple (Taito) · Free entry
- **[ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/asakusa-culture-lights-2026)** — Fri, Oct 30, 2026 18:00 – Tue, Nov 3, 2026 (JST) · Sensoji Temple (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Good Fortune Fair – Tori-no-Ichi Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/good-fortune-fair-tori-no-ichi-festival)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 – Thu, Nov 19, 2026 (JST) · Chokokuji Temple (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Setsubun Bean-Throwing 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/setsubun-bean-throwing-2027-7924)** — Wed, Feb 3, 2027 (JST) · Sensoji Temple (Taito) · Free entry
- **[WA Festival on Asakusa Kokusai Street](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/wain-2)** — Sun, Nov 15, 2026 (JST) · Asakusa View Hotel 2F - Public Outdoor Space (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Nami Tamaki](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/nami-tamaki)** — Sat, Nov 14, 2026 17:30 (JST) · Asakusa Hana Theater (Taito) · ¥7,300–¥9,900
- **[Smiling Towards Spring in Asakusa: Taito Traditional Performing Arts Show – 9th Edo Town Taito Performing Arts Festival](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/smiling-towards-spring-in-asakusa-taito-traditional-performing)** — Sat, Jan 30, 2027 14:00 (JST) · Asakusa Public Hall · ¥2,000–¥3,800
- **[Park Junyoung](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/park-junyoung)** — Mon, Oct 26, 2026 15:00 (JST) · Asakusa Public Hall · ¥6,600
- **[Stage Play 'The Muro Family's Good-for-Nothing' by the Muro Brothers](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/stage-play-the-muro-familys-good-for-nothing-by-the-muro-brothers)** — Thu, Oct 29, 2026 14:00 – Tue, Nov 3, 2026 (JST) · Kaminari 5656 Hall Tokiwa Hall (Taito) · ¥11,000
- **[JAPEX2026: 61st National Stamp Exhibition](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/japex2026)** — Fri, Oct 30, 2026 10:00 – Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Taito Hall (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Ryutaro Arimura + DEMONSTRATIONs Presents: Halloween Night 2026 'Shin Three-Colored Cat Hospital'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/demonstrations-presents-halloween-night-2026)** — Fri, Oct 30, 2026 18:30 (JST) · Asakusa Hana Theater (Taito) · ¥8,000
- **[SAKAMOTO DAYS TV Anime Pop-Up Street in Okuyama Omairimachi and Asakusa Nishisando Shopping Street](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tvsakamoto-days-pop-up-street-in)** — Fri, Nov 6, 2026 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026 (JST) · Okuyama Omairimachi Shopping Street (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Comedy Song Festival: Bursting with Rhythm and Laughter](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/comedy-song-festival-bursting-with-rhythm-and-laughter)** — Sun, Nov 8, 2026 13:00 (JST) · Asakusa Public Hall · price on the official site
- **[Hof Dylan / Sunny Day Service](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hof-dylan-sunny-day-service)** — Wed, Nov 11, 2026 18:30 (JST) · Asakusa Hana Theater (Taito) · ¥5,000
- **[Japanese Dance Possibilities Vol. 8: 'Moji Spring and Autumn' & 'Cautious Barber: The Barber of Seville Adaptation'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/vol8-3)** — Fri, Nov 13, 2026 – Sat, Nov 14, 2026 (JST) · Asakusa Public Hall · price on the official site
- **[Possibilities of Japanese Dance Vol. 8](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/vol8-2)** — Fri, Nov 13, 2026 19:00 – Sat, Nov 14, 2026 (JST) · Taito City Asakusa Public Hall (Taito) · ¥1,000〜¥20,000
- **[Asakusa Onten Hanayashiki 2026: Asakusa Jinta Osho 60th Birthday & 30th Anniversary of Career](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/asakusa-onten-hanayashiki-2026-asakusa-jinta-osho-60th)** — Sun, Nov 15, 2026 12:00 (JST) · Asakusa Hana Theater (Taito) · ¥4,800–¥5,300
- **[2027 New Year Asakusa Used Book Fair: Japanese Antiquarian Books and Art](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/2027-new-year-asakusa-used-book-fair-japanese)** — Wed, Jan 13, 2027 – Mon, Jan 18, 2027 (JST) · Matsuya Asakusa 3F Event Hall (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[New Year Asakusa Kabuki <Exclusive Eplus Performance> – One Lucky Flower Viewing in Asakusa](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/new-year-asakusa-kabuki-exclusive-eplus-performance-one-lucky)** — Fri, Jan 22, 2027 11:00 (JST) · Asakusa Public Hall · ¥3,500〜
- **[5th Asakusa Riverside Relay Marathon](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/5th-asakusa-riverside-relay-marathon)** — Sat, Nov 7, 2026 09:00 (JST) · Taito Riverside Sports Center Athletics Stadium (Taito) · ¥4,900
- **[Asakusa Hanakawado Park Flea Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/asakusa-hanakawado-park-flea-market-2)** — Sun, Nov 8, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Asakusa Hanakawado Park (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Asakusa Hanakawado Park Flea Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/asakusa-hanakawado-park-flea-market)** — Sun, Dec 6, 2026 10:00 (JST) · Asakusa Hanakawado Park (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Taito City Industry Fair 2026: Downtown Ideas Exhibition](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/taito-city-industry-fair-2026-downtown-ideas-exhibition)** — Thu, Nov 5, 2026 10:00 – Fri, Nov 6, 2026 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Taito Hall (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Mikusuketto! #2](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mikusuketto-2)** — Sat, Oct 31, 2026 11:00 (JST) · Taito Civic Hall 2 (Taito) · ¥300
- **[Solo Musical 'BLACK BOX'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/black-box)** — Wed, Oct 28, 2026 18:30 – Sun, Nov 1, 2026 (JST) · Asakusa Kyugeki · ¥9,800〜¥14,000
- **[Raymond Matsuya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/raymond-matsuya)** — Fri, Nov 13, 2026 14:00 (JST) · Asakusa Hana Theater (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Stage Play: The Great Escape](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/stage-play-the-great-escape)** — Thu, Nov 26, 2026 14:30 – Sat, Nov 28, 2026 (JST) · Asakusa Hana Theater (Taito) · price on the official site
- **[Konomi Mori](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/konomi-mori)** — Thu, Feb 18, 2027 14:00 (JST) · Asakusa Public Hall · ¥7,000〜

Showing 30 of 55.

## Questions people ask

**Is Sensoji free to visit?**
Yes. There is no entry fee for the temple or the grounds, and the grounds stay open after the main hall closes in the late afternoon.

**When is the Sanja Matsuri?**
On the third weekend of May, from Friday to Sunday. Sunday, when the shrine's main mikoshi go out, is the busiest day.

**What is the best time of day to visit Asakusa?**
Early morning, before the shops open, or in the evening when the temple is lit up and the crowds have gone.

**Can I enjoy rakugo at Asakusa Engei Hall without Japanese?**
The stories are in Japanese, but the variety acts between them are visual, and you can leave whenever you like.

**How far is Tokyo Skytree from Asakusa?**
About a 20-minute walk across the Sumida River, or one stop on the Tobu Skytree Line.

**Are the hozuki and hagoita fairs on the same dates every year?**
Yes. The ground cherry market is on July 9 and 10 and the battledore fair on December 17 to 19, whatever the day of the week.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/asakusa