A Guide to Sanja Matsuri 2025

Tokyo’s historic Asakusa neighborhood hosts the annual Sanja Matsuri on the third weekend of May. Sanja Matsuri is one of the most important Shinto celebrations of the year and regularly draws up to two million attendees. It’s a raucous festival of music, dance, and other performances sure to leave an indelible impression.

Find out more about where to go, what to see, and places to stay for an optimal experience of traditional Japanese culture.

Asakusa is a district in Taito Ward of Tokyo’s eastern metropolitan area near the Sumida River that proudly upholds the atmosphere of the shitamachi — neighborhoods outside the Yamanote Loop that are typically associated with working-class communities.

Senso-ji Temple is the spiritual heart of the area and a popular destination for tourists year-round. The impressive Kaminarimon Gate stands at the entrance to the temple grounds, while Nakamise-dori Street leading to the main temple hall is a bustling area filled with vendors of all stripes.

The promenade along the Sumida River is a pleasant area for strolling any time of year. Boat tours also provide excellent views of Asakusa on one side and the neighborhoods surrounding Tokyo SkyTree on the other.

Among the main public transit options, Asakusa Station is served by the Tokyo metro on the Asakusa and Ginza lines and the Tobu Skytree Line.

Sanja Matsuri dates back to the seventh century and has been alternatively known as the Kannon Matsuri and Asakusa Matsuri over the epochs. Its current rituals and format have endured since the Edo period (1603–1867).

The word sanja means “three shrines”. The festival respects the three men who founded Senso-ji Temple: fisherman brothers Hamanari Hinokuma and Takenari Hinokuma, and village chief Nakatomo Hajino. Asakusa-jinja Shrine and Senso-ji Temple are the main sites of Sanja Matsuri to this day.

The shops and food stalls on Nakamise-dori Street become even more charged with energy during Sanja Matsuri, creating a lively atmosphere that draws visitors and residents alike to the streets of Asakusa.

The festival unfolds over three days, starting at 1 p.m. on Friday and lasting until Sunday evening. On the first day, a parade of people dressed in lavish Edo-period attire takes to the streets of Asakusa. This 19-block procession is called Daigyoretsu and features dances, performances, and other spectacles.

Around a hundred portable shrines known as mikoshi are carried through the neighborhood on the second day. After being blessed at Asakusa-jinja Shrine and Senso-ji Temple, the mikoshi are paraded around town again. There are also smaller mikoshi carried by children and others carried by groups of women, providing a glimpse into the fabric of Asakusa’s social life.

On the final day, hundreds of participants gather at Asakusa-jinja Shrine around 6 am and jockey en masse to carry the main three large mikoshi. The mikoshi are then transported in different directions, circulating through the streets of Asakusa until returning to the shrine in the evening.

These traditions are thought to bring good luck to businesses and residents. The whole neighborhood comes alive with food stalls, games, vendors, and traditional music during the three days of the festival.

While Asakusa is not as densely crowded as a transit hub like Shibuya, it is still a major destination in eastern Tokyo and, as such, has plenty of accommodation options for any budget.

A thoroughly modern hotel with distinctive local flavor, The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon by Hulic offers a private terrace with views of Tokyo SkyTree, live musical performances for guests, and an Asakusa concierge service that will help you make the most of your travels.

Even as you’re staying in the thick of things, the spacious interior of the hotel, designed by leading interior designer Shigeru Uchida, gives a sense of airiness and lightness. The artwork in the lobby and restaurant is curated by Katsuhiko Hibino, a professor at Tokyo University of the Arts.

After immersing yourself in the distinctive vibes of Asakusa for a day, unwind in the hotel’s restaurant or bar, both of which offer incredible views of the surrounding area.

Conveniently located just minutes from Asakusa Station, Hotel Keihan Asakusa has an array of comfortable rooms that make a perfect launchpad for exploring the neighborhood. All rooms come with amenities such as a refrigerator, an air purifier, and free Wi-Fi. The warm colors of the interior relax you after busy excursions into the city.

The health-conscious complimentary breakfast buffet features a variety of probiotic goods such as pickled vegetables and seasoned dishes. The breakfast is served takeout style, so you can enjoy it in your room. To address food waste, the hotel uses some vegetables that cannot be sold in markets due to their appearance. Enjoy simplicity and comfort at this hotel situated in the heart of Asakusa.

Prostyle Ryokan Tokyo Asakusa prides itself on embodying the spirit of the shitamachi, the older Tokyo neighborhoods like Asakusa where you can feel the past more readily. All six room types here are Japanese-style, with tatami mats, low beds, and a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

Start your day off right with a balanced and nutritious Japanese set breakfast or a heartier western option. The hotel’s restaurant serves dinner with beef tongue — grilled, in shabu-shabu, or in a hotpot — as a featured ingredient.

Some of the rooms have the added luxury of open-air baths. There is also a private sauna that you can reserve as a hotel guest, allowing you time and space to unwind amid your travels.

Ryoun no Yu Onyado Nono Asakusa offers a charming experience whether you’re traveling for business or leisure. The tatami mats and other interior touches create a truly Japanese experience. It also features a natural hot spring public bath filled with minerals that are said to soothe nerve pain, muscle aches, and stiff joints, among other conditions.

Japanese-style breakfast is served at the hotel’s first-floor restaurant. You can also enjoy a bowl of complimentary soba noodles at night — a savory, healthy treat to end your day.