In the second entry of our "Edo/Tokyo: Beyond History" column, we introduce the Shitaya Shrine Grand Festival, which began on May 11.
The Shitaya Shrine Grand Festival is said to be the earliest summer festival in downtown Tokyo, and 2024 is the main festival where the main mikoshi (portable shrine) will be carried out (togyo). The main festival will be held for the first time in six years since 2018, as the festival could not be held from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19.
Upper left: Front of Shitaya Shrine from Asakusa-dori street, Middle top: Great festival schedule of Shitaya Shrine, Upper right: Crowded stalls around Shitaya Shrine, Lower left: Main portable shrine created in 1926, Middle bottom: Main portable shrine of Okachimachi 2-chome neighborhood association, Lower right: Small and medium portable shrine of Satake-cho neighborhood association
Shitaya Shrine is a historic shrine founded in 730.
The shrine is dedicated to " Ōtoshi-no-kami " and "Yamatotakeru no Mikoto" and is said to bring good fortune for prosperous business and family safety.
Shitaya Shrine is also famous for being the site of the first Yose theater held in 1789.
* Ōtoshi-no-kami is a Japanese kami and a part of the Shinto pantheon. Yamatotakeru no Mikoto is Japanese folk hero, noted for his courage and ingenuity, who may have lived in the 2nd century AD.
* A Yose is a popular entertainment hall where classical performing arts such as Rakugo, Manzai, and Kodan are performed.
On Saturday, May 11, Dash (floats) and small and medium-sized mikoshi (portable shrines) of each neighborhood association were paraded through the town in the afternoon, and the large portable shrines of each neighborhood association were paraded through the town in the evening.
Since it was the first time in six years that the main festival was held and the weather was fine, many people, including tourists from overseas, came to enjoy the festival.
Satake Town Association's Grand Mikoshi Parade
Tomorrow, May 12, is the main event of the main festival, the parade of the main portable shrine.
If you are in the Okachimachi/Ueno area, please stop by.
Route of the Main Shrine Mikoshi parade on May 12 (Sun.)
<Previous post>
Starting this weekend! List of festivals in downtown Tokyo