Festivals in Tokyo facts for kids
Tokyo is a super exciting city in Japan, and it's famous for its many fun festivals! These festivals are called matsuri in Japanese. They happen all year round and celebrate different things. Some celebrate old traditions and gods, while others are about the seasons, like spring flowers or summer fireworks.
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Big Festivals in Tokyo
Tokyo has some really big and famous festivals. Two of the most important ones are the Sanno Festival and the Sanja Festival.
- The Sanno Festival takes place at Hie Shrine.
- The Sanja Festival is held at Asakusa Shrine. It's known for its lively parades with special portable shrines.
Another huge festival is the Kanda Matsuri. It happens every two years in May. Imagine a parade with amazing, decorated floats and thousands of people joining in!
Seasonal Fun
Besides the traditional festivals, Tokyo also celebrates the seasons in a big way.
Spring Celebrations
In spring, people love to see the cherry blossoms, or sakura. Thousands gather in parks like Ueno Park, Inokashira Park, and the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. They have picnics under the beautiful cherry trees. It's a wonderful way to welcome spring!
Summer Excitement
Summer in Tokyo brings big firework shows and dance festivals.
- The Sumida River fireworks festival is held on the last Saturday of July. Millions of people come to watch the amazing fireworks light up the sky over the river.
- The Kōenji Awa Odori dance festival happens on the last weekend in August. This is a huge dance party with many groups performing traditional Awa dances.
Other Notable Festivals
Tokyo has many other interesting festivals throughout the year. Here are a few more you might like to know about:
Spring Festivals
- Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri: This is an Azalea flower festival held at Nezu Shrine in Bunkyō from April to May.
- Fuji Matsuri: A beautiful Wisteria flower festival at Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Kōtō, also in April to May.
- Kurayami Matsuri: Known as the "Black Night Festival," it takes place at Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu from late April to early May.
- Meiji Shrine Spring Festival: Held at Meiji Shrine in Shibuya between March and May, celebrating spring.
Summer Festivals
- Tenno Matsuri: This festival takes place in Shinagawa at Shinagawa Shrine and Ebara Jinja Shrine in early June.
- Fukagawa Matsuri: One of Tokyo's three major Shinto festivals, held at Tomioka Hachiman Shrine in Kōtō during the summer.
- Harajuku Omotesandō Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi: A lively Yosakoi dance festival with many groups performing in Harajuku, Omotesandō, Yoyogi Park, and near Meiji Shrine on the last weekend of August.
Autumn and Winter Festivals
- Tokyo Jidai Matsuri: This festival celebrates the history of Tokyo. It is held in Asakusa on November 3rd.
- Hatsumōde: This is when people make their first prayers of the New Year at major shrines and temples like Meiji Shrine and Sensō-ji in winter.
- Setsubun: Held at Sensō-ji and other temples in winter, this festival involves throwing beans to chase away evil spirits.
See also
- Festivals in Nagoya
- Culture of Tokyo
