Sanno Festival (Sanno Matsuri) 山王まつり

Note: The 2024 installment of this event has already taken place.

The Sanno Festival is one of the three great festivals of Edo (the former name of Tokyo), alongside Kanda Matsuri and Fukagawa Matsuri. During the Edo period (1603-1867), portable shrines known as mikoshi and festival floats were allowed into the grounds of Edo Castle. Starting with Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun, Japan's shoguns (military commanders) attended and worshipped at the festival. Back then, it was called the Tenka Festival and was quite a spectacular event. The Jinkosai, a Shinto ritual procession that served as the origin for the Tenka Festival, is typically held every other year. It will be returning to the festival in 2024 for the first time in six years. The modern Jinkosai is a highlight of the festival, as 500 people parade through the city.
There are various other festivities that last for a period of 11 days, so you can attend every day and still see something new.
Events include a historically important, dignified ceremony where prayers are offered for the safety of the Imperial Palace and peace in Tokyo. There is also traditional Japanese entertainment, such as a Shinto music-and-dance performance and a Sanno drum performance, as well as a parade of young children dressed as court pages.