Festivals & Events
January Festivals & Events
Senso-ji Temple・Shuuse-e (New Year's Service) and New Year Grand Prayer Service
New Year rites to ward off misfortune and invite good fortune. The first three days are bustling with millions of first shrine visitors.
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The New Year's first visits, which typically attract the highest number of worshippers in Japan.
Nikko Tosho-gu (Nikko Eastern Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (Saitan-sai)
New Year's first visit to the shrine enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu, a World Heritage site.
Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myojin)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The chief guardian shrine of Edo. Famous for business prosperity and IT protection, attracting many corporate groups.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Tsurugaoka Hachiman Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The chief guardian shrine of Kamakura, associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo. The three New Year days see one of the highest visitor counts in the country.
Naritasan Shinshoji・Hatsumode (New Year's Grand Goma Fire Rite)
One of the most popular first shrine visits in the country. Approximately 3 million people visit during the three-day New Year period.
Yasukuni Jinja (Yasukuni Shrine)・Hatsumode (New Year Festival)
The New Year Festival is performed at the dawn of New Year's Day, accompanied by the temple bell.
Hie Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year) / Saidansai (New Year's Rite)
The 'Sanno-sama' of Akasaka, revered as the protector of the imperial capital.
Sagamoku Ichinomiya Samukawa Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The only guardian deity in Japan dedicated to averting misfortune from all eight directions. Welcome nebuta (lanterns) greet visitors.
Kawasaki Daishi Hiraidera・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The Daishi of Warding Off Misfortune. Boasts one of the highest numbers of New Year visitors in Japan.
Tokyo Daijingu (Tokyo Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The 'Ise Shrine of Tokyo.' A first visit to a shrine famous for matchmaking.
Katori Jingu (Katori Grand Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The head shrine of all Katori shrines nationwide. A deity of martial luck and victory.
Yushima Tenmangu (Yushima Tenmangu Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The deity of learning, 'Yushima Tenjin'. Bustling with exam candidates praying for success.
Oarai Isosaki Shrine・Hatsuhinode (First Sunrise) and Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
Famous for the first sunrise rising behind the 'Kamiiso Torii' in the sea.
Mifune Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
A spiritual site at 1,100 meters elevation, famous for sea of clouds and first light of the new year.
Kameido Tenjinsha・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
Known as the 'Eastern Saifu,' this is a deity of learning. The shrine is bustling with prayers for passing exams.
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The chief shrine of Musashi Province. Known for its approximately 2 km long approach path, the longest in Japan.
Nezu Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
A historic Edo-period shrine associated with Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, featuring a main hall designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Chichibu Jinja (Chichibu Shrine)・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
The chief guardian shrine of the Chichibu region, renowned for its exquisite shrine architecture carvings.
Fukutakeyama Shindai-ji・Hatsumode (New Year Grand Goma Fire Rite)
One of the oldest temples in the capital. Welcome the new year with the New Year's Eve bell and the Grand Goma Fire Rite.
Takao-san Yakuo-in Yuuki-ji・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
An ancient temple on Mount Takao, a sacred mountain of Shugendo. Known for Tengu worship.
Okunitama Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The Soshu (chief shrine) of Musashi Province, known as 'Fuchu no Omiya'. A deity of matchmaking and warding off misfortune.
Saihinai Daishi Soji-ji Temple・Hatsumode (First shrine visit of the year)
One of the Three Great Masters of Misfortune Removal in the Kanto region. Famous for prayers to ward off misfortune.
Tsukuba-san Jinja (Tsukuba Mountain Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
A famous shrine in Kanto with Mount Tsukuba as its sacred body. Known for prayers for matchmaking.
Oyama Furu Shrine・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
Known as 'Oyama-mairi' (pilgrimage to Mount Oyama), this is the grand protector of the Kanto region. The enshrined deity is a god of rain and water.
Sui Ten Gu (Water Shrine)・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
Deity of safe childbirth and conception. Famous for safe childbirth prayers on Dog days.
Takaozan Myo-o-in Kongo-ji (Takao Fudo Son)・Hatsumode (First Temple Visit of the Year)
One of the three great Fudo temples in the Kanto region and the memorial temple of Hijikata Toshizo of the Shinsengumi.
Hozan-zan Shrine・Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the Year)
One of the Three Great Shrines of Chichibu, enshrining deities of fire prevention and theft protection. A famous shrine in Nagatoro.
五徳山 水澤寺（水澤観世音）・Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year)
The 16th station of the Banto 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. Known as the 'Mizusawa Kannon' of Ikaho.
Kita-in・Sho-Daishi and Daruma Market
The Daruma Market, a New Year specialty of Kawagoe, held on the first lucky day of the year.
Kashima Jingu (Kashima Grand Shrine)・Hakuba-sai (White Horse Festival)
A festival to purify evil influences of the new year by viewing a white horse and praying for health and safety.
February Festivals & Events
Senso-ji Temple・Setsubun-e (Bean-Throwing Festival)
A bean-throwing festival based on the belief that 'no demons exist before the Kannon deity.'
Nikko Tosho-gu (Nikko Eastern Grand Shrine)・Setsubun-sai (Bean-throwing Rite)
Prayers for inviting good fortune and warding off misfortune through bean-throwing by men and women born in the year of the Rat.
Naritasan Shinshoji・Setsubun-e (Bean-Throwing Festival)
A nationally famous Setsubun festival where sumo wrestlers and celebrities throw beans.
Hie Shrine・Setsubun-sai (Bean-Throwing Rite)
A Setsubun festival praying for good fortune and blessings through bean-throwing.
Kawasaki Daishi Hiraidera・Setsubun-sai (Bean-throwing rite)
Praying for the invitation of good fortune and the removal of misfortune through bean-throwing while chanting 'Fuku wa uchi' (fortune is inside).
Zoshig-ji Temple・Setsubun Tsuina-shiki (Bean-Throwing Rite)
Prayers for inviting good fortune and warding off evil through bean-throwing by the 'Toshi Otoko' (year's man) and celebrities.
Mifune Shrine・Setsubun Tsuina-sai (Gomotto Shinsai)
A unique Setsubun rite where beans are thrown to the chant of 'Gomotto' (It is so).
Fukutakeyama Shindai-ji・Setsubun-e (Bean-throwing Festival)
A procession featuring year-men and celebrities, followed by a bean-throwing rite.
Takao-san Yakuo-in Yuuki-ji・Setsubun Tona-shiki (Bean-throwing Rite)
Bean-throwing by the year's men and women or celebrities.
Kita-in・Setsubun-e (Bean-Throwing Festival)
A bean-throwing rite is performed by the year's designated men and women.
Hozan-zan Shrine・Setsubun Tsuina-sai (Bean-Throwing and Evil-Expelling Rite)
A Shinto rite involving bean-throwing and the expulsion of evil by the Year's Man and Year's Woman.
五徳山 水澤寺（水澤観世音）・Setsubun-e (bean-throwing rite)
Bean-throwing and prayers for warding off misfortune are performed.
Tsukuba-san Jinja (Tsukuba Mountain Shrine)・New Year's Eve Festival (Gama-matsuri)
Lively with the Tsurunana rite and the famous 'Gama's Oil Seller's Pitch'.
March Festivals & Events
Fukutakeyama Shindai-ji・Yakuyoke Genzai Daisai Grand Festival and Daruma Market
One of Japan's three great Daruma markets. Approximately 300 Daruma shops line the grounds.
Kashima Jingu (Kashima Grand Shrine)・Saitou-sai (Head Priest Festival)
A vigorous spring festival featuring performers in colorful costumes interlocking oak poles.
April Festivals & Events
Tsukuba-san Jinja (Tsukuba Mountain Shrine)・Gosae-sai (Robe Change Festival)
A spring and autumn grand festival where divine robes are offered and the mikoshi parades.
Hozan-zan Shrine・Reidaisai (Annual Grand Festival)
The most important festival at Takato-zan Shrine.
Mifune Shrine・Reidaisai (Annual Grand Festival)
The most important spring festival at the shrine.
Katori Jingu (Katori Grand Shrine)・Reisai (annual grand festival)
The most important festival at Katori Jingu. Yabusame (horseback archery) is also offered.
Tokyo Daijingu (Tokyo Grand Shrine)・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival)
The most important festival at Tokyo Daikokan Shrine.
Yasukuni Jinja (Yasukuni Shrine)・Spring Annual Grand Festival
The most important festival at Yasukuni Shrine, held in the spring.
Takaozan Myo-o-in Kongo-ji (Takao Fudo Son)・Spring Grand Festival and National Treasure Festival
A spring grand festival featuring processions and fire-walking ascetic practices.
Naritasan Shinshoji・Narita Taiko-sai (Narita Drum Festival)
A spring festival gathering Japanese drum players from all over the country.
May Festivals & Events
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Grand Shrine)・Haru no Oosai (Spring Grand Festival / Devotees' Grand Festival)
A spring grand festival during Golden Week featuring dedicatory offerings of traditional performing arts.
Nikko Tosho-gu (Nikko Eastern Grand Shrine)・Spring Rei-tai-sai (Spring Annual Grand Festival)
The largest festival, known for the Hyakubutsu-zorai Senin Musha Gyoretsu (Procession of a Thousand Warriors with a Hundred Items) and Yabusame (horseback archery).
Yushima Tenmangu (Yushima Tenmangu Shrine)・Reidaisai (annual grand festival)
The most important festival at Yushima Tenjin.
June Festivals & Events
Hie Shrine・Sanno-sai (Grand Festival of Sanno)
One of the Three Great Festivals of Edo, known as the 'Tenka-sai' (Festival of the World). A grand procession circles the Imperial Palace area.
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Grand Shrine)・Ooharae (Great Purification Rite)
A Shinto rite to purify the sins and impurities of the past six months.
Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myojin)・Nagoshi-no-Omukae (Midsummer Purification Rite)
A Shinto rite to purge the impurities of the first half of the year by passing through a reed ring.
Kawasaki Daishi Hiraidera・Kawasaki Daisai Maki Noh
An ethereal maki noh (Noh performed by firelight) staged under the glow of burning logs in the temple grounds at night.
July Festivals & Events
Tokyo Daijingu (Tokyo Grand Shrine)・Tanabata Kigan-sai (Tanabata Prayer Festival)
A Tanabata prayer festival where wishes are written on short paper strips.
Senso-ji Temple・Shiman-rokujupponichi / Hoozuki-ichi (46,000 Days / Chinese Lantern Market)
A lucky day believed to grant the merit of 46,000 days of worship.
Yasukuni Jinja (Yasukuni Shrine)・Mitamamatsuri (Summer Festival)
A summer tradition in Tokyo featuring over 30,000 swaying lanterns.
Chichibu Jinja (Chichibu Shrine)・Kawase-sai (River Purification Festival)
A summer festival where the portable shrine is purified in the river, featuring the pulling of kasa-hoko (canopy floats) and food stalls.
Oyama Furu Shrine・Natsuyama-biraki (Summer Grand Festival)
A grand festival aligned with the summer pilgrimage season. The area is lively with visitors climbing to the summit shrine.
Naritasan Shinshoji・Naritasan Gion-e (Naritasan Gion Festival)
A summer festival coinciding with the special opening of the Oku-no-in.
Kawagoehikawa Shrine・Enmusubi Wind Chimes
In summer, colorful Edo-style wind chimes play a cool melody within the shrine grounds.
Sagamoku Ichinomiya Samukawa Shrine・Hamakou-sai (Beach Descent Festival)
A majestic 'Dawn Ceremony' where mikoshi are purified in the sea at sunrise.
August Festivals & Events
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine・Reidaisai (annual grand festival)
The most important festival, attended by imperial envoys.
Haseji (Hase Temple)・Shiman-rokujunichi (46,000 Days Festival)
A lucky day believed to grant the merit of 46,000 days of worship with a single visit.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Tsurugaoka Hachiman Grand Shrine)・Bonbori-sai (Lantern Festival)
On summer nights, hundreds of lanterns inscribed by celebrities illuminate the shrine grounds.
September Festivals & Events
Kashima Jingu (Kashima Grand Shrine)・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival) and Shinkosai (Procession Festival)
The most important festival at Kashima Jingu, bustling with the Lantern Night and Procession Festival.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Tsurugaoka Hachiman Grand Shrine)・Reidaisai (Annual Grand Festival) and Yabusame-shingi (Horseback Archery Rite)
The most important festival at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, featuring a vigorous yabusame (horseback archery) rite.
Sagamoku Ichinomiya Samukawa Shrine・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival)
The most important annual festival held once a year at Samidawa Shrine.
October Festivals & Events
Nikko Tosho-gu (Nikko Eastern Grand Shrine)・Autumn Grand Festival
An autumn grand festival featuring yabusame (horseback archery) and a warrior procession.
Yasukuni Jinja (Yasukuni Shrine)・Autumn Annual Grand Festival
The most important festival at Yasukuni Shrine, held in the autumn.
Senso-ji Temple・Kiku Kyouyou-e (Chrysanthemum Offering Ceremony)
A Buddhist ceremony offering chrysanthemums to the Kannon deity to express gratitude.
November Festivals & Events
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Grand Shrine)・Autumn Grand Festival (Chinza Kinen-sai)
An autumn grand festival commemorating the enshrinement of the deities. Dedictory performing arts are offered.
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Grand Shrine)・Reisai (Annual Grand Festival)
The most important festival of the year, held on the birthday of Emperor Meiji.
Haseji (Hase Temple)・Autumn Leaf Light-Up
Special night viewing of the autumn foliage that dyes the shrine grounds in brilliant colors.
December Festivals & Events
Chichibu Jinja (Chichibu Shrine)・Chichibu Yozakura (Annual Grand Festival)
One of Japan's three great festival floats, featuring ornate floats and winter fireworks.
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine・Oyu-sai (Tokaichi) (Grand Hot Spring Festival / Tenth Day Market)
A winter grand festival known as 'Tokaichi' (Tenth Day Market), bustling with stalls selling lucky bear-paw rakes.
Senso-ji Temple・Hagoita-ichi (Nasume no Kannon / New Year's Shuttle Cock Market)
A year-end market adorning Asakusa, featuring stalls selling shuttle cocks (hagoita) in the temple grounds.
We're gradually expanding coverage starting with major shrines and temples. Dates may vary slightly from year to year, so please check official information before visiting.