Ultimate Guide to Sanno Matsuri 2024: Dates, Highlights, and More!

Sanno Matsuri, one of Tokyo’s most prominent Shinto festivals, takes place in mid-June every other year on even-numbered years. (Activities are still held on odd-numbered years, but the main events only happen on even-numbered years.) The festival centers on the historic Hie-jinja Shrine in Chiyoda Ward and entails a celebration of around a week and a half, culminating in a parade that begins in the Nagatacho neighborhood and winds through major cultural sites across town.

This spectacle is a centuries-long practice that links contemporary Tokyo with its feudal past, especially its shogun rulers, who elevated the festival in cultural importance. Learn more about Sanno Matsuri’s origins, what to see and do during the festivities, and where to stay for maximum ease and convenience.

Chiyoda is a centrally located ward in Tokyo, and Hie-jinja Shrine is easy to reach from the metro stations of Akasaka (Chiyoda Line), Nagatacho (Hanzomon, Namboku, and Yurakucho lines), and Tameike-Sanno (Ginza and Namboku lines), among others. If you want a front-row seat for Sanno Matsuri, there are plenty of hotel options in the neighborhood suitable for various budgets.

For those staying in other parts of Tokyo, Hie-jinja Shrine is roughly 20 minutes away by public transit or a 15-minute cab ride from Shinjuku or Shibuya.

Sanno Matsuri is officially known as the Hie-jinja Shrine Grand Festival in Japanese. Hie-jinja Shrine has a long, storied lineage and is believed to have been relocated to Edo — as Tokyo used to be called — in the late 15th century. Annual celebrations at the shrine became a prominent cultural practice during the Edo period (1603–1867).

The Tokugawa rulers of the period were prominent supporters of and participants in the shrine’s religious processions. It was Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604–1651), third shogun of the Edo period, who elevated the festival by allowing the portable shrines called mikoshi to enter the sacred grounds of Edo Castle. At the time, the festival was called the Tenka Matsuri (“Crowning Festival”) due to its connection to the highest echelons of political power in Japan. This is echoed today in Sanno Matsuri’s rituals with the modern imperial family during the pinnacle of the festival.

Over time, the festival continued to evolve and was scheduled in alternating years beginning in the 19th century so as not to conflict with Kanda Matsuri. Kanda Matsuri is an event of a similar scale that also dates to the Edo period and features parades, rituals, and cultural performances. The outbreak of World War II temporarily disrupted Sanno Matsuri’s regular proceedings. However, it was gradually revived in the postwar era and has flourished in the decades since as a celebration of traditional Japanese culture.

The festival spans a week and a half, with the shinkosai procession as its centerpiece and main public spectacle. In the days leading up to the shinkosai, various cleansing rituals, rehearsals, and other activities are carried out at Hie-jinja Shrine. Within its precincts, you can witness musical performances, traditional dances, and a children’s parade while local vendors sell foods like yakitori grilled chicken and takoyaki octopus poppers from food stalls.

Shinkosai is a full-day spectacle near the end of the festival and usually occurs on the weekend. Several hundred people in colorful costumes follow a route of about 20 kilometers, departing from Hie-jinja Shrine in the early morning and returning in the early evening. At the center of the procession are the ornate imperial carriages called gohoren, followed by a mikoshi that houses the spirits of the shrine.

The shinkosai travels to cultural landmarks such as Yasukuni-jinja Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, and Nihonbashi Bridge before returning to Hie-jinja Shrine by mid-afternoon. At the Imperial Palace, the procession pauses for important ceremonies involving the imperial family, including prayers for the emperor’s well-being and national prosperity. Excited spectators line the streets wherever the parade goes, and you can expect a jubilant atmosphere with music, performances, and other events in these neighborhoods and beyond.

Chinowa Kuguri, an upright straw ring of several diameters, is also set up at the shrine. Visitors are invited to pass through the ring to purify themselves, cleanse themselves of bad luck, and invite good health. The Chinowa Kuguri is an ancient Shinto symbol representing a gateway and is just one more unique cultural practice you can experience at Sanno Matsuri.

If you don't mind a meandering walk through central Tokyo, the shinkosai portion of the festival is the perfect occasion to explore cultural sites on the procession’s path. Yasukuni-jinja Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, and Nihonbashi Bridge are all historic sites that are an integral part of the city's fabric and worth visiting on their own.

Chiyoda Ward is arguably the heart of Tokyo, given the location of the Imperial Palace and its surrounding gardens at the ward's center. Nearby the palace, the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, has a robust collection of 20th-century works by Japanese artists in both western and traditional Nihonga styles.

The neighborhood of Jimbocho (Tokyo’s book town) is also a notable destination within Chiyoda. It’s a compact area filled with more than 100 bookstores to delight any bibliophile. For those who are interested in a different cultural experience, Akihabara Electric Town lies at the north end of Chiyoda; there you’ll find a sprawling district of electronics stores, manga and anime boutiques, maid cafes, and more. Check out our guide on things to do in Akihabara for more details.

These eclectic experiences offer an exciting and well-rounded view of Tokyo, past and present. They give you insight into the history of the Japanese capital and how its culture is being carried forward into the future.

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Rooms at Hotel Niwa Tokyo are elegantly appointed, featuring a fusion of contemporary comforts and classic Japanese elements. The hotel places a strong emphasis on hospitality, ensuring personalized service to cater to the diverse needs of its guests. With various dining options, including authentic Japanese cuisine, the hotel delivers a culinary experience that complements its cultural ambience.

Feeling inspired to explore more of Japan's festival scene? In this guide, we unravel the magic of Japan's summer festivals, offering insights into the iconic Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, the illuminated floats of Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, the boat procession at Osaka's Tenjin Matsuri, the spectacular fireworks in Tokyo, the diverse offerings at Sapporo Summer Festival, the musical extravaganza at Fuji Rock Festival, and the traditional dance festivities of Gujo Odori in Gifu. Let the rhythmic beats, colorful displays, and cultural traditions immerse you in the heart of Japan's summer celebrations, ensuring a season filled with enchantment and lasting memories.