Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri (Lion Dance Festival) 夏越し大祭「つきじ獅子祭」

Located in Tsukiji, the Namiyoke Inari-jinja Shrine has long been known as a place to pray for protection from disaster, safety out at sea, economic prosperity, and safety in construction work. The area in Tsukiji where the shrine is located was under the sea 350 years ago. At the start of the Edo period (1603-1867), the land was reclaimed, but the embankments were constantly being washed away.

According to legend, one stormy night, a divine entity emerged from the ocean. As the people began praying to it, the waves and winds calmed down, and construction work was safely completed in 1659. The Tsukiji Shishi Festival is said to be held to commemorate this legend with its parade of floats: a dragon that controls the clouds, a tiger that controls the winds, and giant shishi lion heads that compel the entire world to obey them with a single roar.