While visiting a place, its always more fun if your travel happens to coincide with the festive season of your destination. 'Matsuri' in Japanese means festival. History states that there are three festivals which are considered to be the main festivals belonging to the Edo period. The Edo period was predominant in bringing about Japan's stability. This period brought about social order, policy formulation and popular enjoyment of art and culture. These festivals, in some form, characterize the beginning of that celebration.
Sanno Matsuri : This is the annual festival of the Hie-Jinja Shrine. This shrine contains the guardian deity of Tokyo and is said to protect the city. This is a two-day festival held on the Apr 14th and 15th every year. In today's age, during the festival, a parade begins from the shrine and passes through the main landmarks of the city. The Shinto Gods are carried in portable shrines. The parade consists of around 300-400 people dressed in ancient costumes. Symbolizing the wish of farmers for a good harvest, the first day of the festival begins when the floats (yatai) are taken from the storehouses and prepared for the procession.The gorgeous floats are lit with Japanese lanterns on either side and are carried on the shoulders of the float-bearers. There are 12 intricately designed floats reserved for this festival. Marionette shows are performed on these floats on the second day of the festival with people dancing to traditional music which is quite a sight to watch.
Kanda Matsuri : Kanda Matsuri is one of the largest festivals in Tokyo, taking place on the Saturday and Sunday closest to May 15th. Be sure to come on the right year though, because Kanda Matsuri only takes place on odd years. The festival was created during the Edo period, where the shogun allowed people to enter in to the quarters of the Edo castle. The festival consists of over 300 people parading through the different districts of Tokyo holding extravagant floats and shrines. In addition to the portable shrines with a phoenix decorated on the roof there are all kinds of floats, and Shinto priests mounted on horseback line up in rows, producing a spectacular sight. The Kanda Myojin Museum, which is open to the public on weekends and on national holidays, has a diorama of the Kanda Matsuri and also displays models of floats. If you wish to find out more about the festival, you should visit this museum.
Sanja Masturi: Dating back to 1312, it is considered one of the three biggest festivals in Tokyo and is conducted by the Asakusa Shrine. It is generally held in the third week of May and the Grand Parade held during this time is extremely fascinating to watch. A large crowd gathers at this time to witness the Shinto Gods of the shrine being carried around the town. There is quite a bit of song and dance along with a variety of food stalls where the local delicacies can be eaten. Some Geisha performances can also be observed during this festival.
Even if Tokyo is on the streets celebrating these festivals, it still looks as beautiful as always and provides an opportunity to get some candid street snaps. And for planning that Matsuri trip of yours, we at Flitterbot are just a click away...
Sanno Matsuri : This is the annual festival of the Hie-Jinja Shrine. This shrine contains the guardian deity of Tokyo and is said to protect the city. This is a two-day festival held on the Apr 14th and 15th every year. In today's age, during the festival, a parade begins from the shrine and passes through the main landmarks of the city. The Shinto Gods are carried in portable shrines. The parade consists of around 300-400 people dressed in ancient costumes. Symbolizing the wish of farmers for a good harvest, the first day of the festival begins when the floats (yatai) are taken from the storehouses and prepared for the procession.The gorgeous floats are lit with Japanese lanterns on either side and are carried on the shoulders of the float-bearers. There are 12 intricately designed floats reserved for this festival. Marionette shows are performed on these floats on the second day of the festival with people dancing to traditional music which is quite a sight to watch.
Sanja Masturi: Dating back to 1312, it is considered one of the three biggest festivals in Tokyo and is conducted by the Asakusa Shrine. It is generally held in the third week of May and the Grand Parade held during this time is extremely fascinating to watch. A large crowd gathers at this time to witness the Shinto Gods of the shrine being carried around the town. There is quite a bit of song and dance along with a variety of food stalls where the local delicacies can be eaten. Some Geisha performances can also be observed during this festival.Even if Tokyo is on the streets celebrating these festivals, it still looks as beautiful as always and provides an opportunity to get some candid street snaps. And for planning that Matsuri trip of yours, we at Flitterbot are just a click away...
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