Fukagawa Matsuri
深川祭The Fukagawa Matsuri, also known as the Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and historically significant festivals. It is traditionally counted among the three great Shinto festivals of Tokyo, alongside the Kanda Matsuri and the Sannō Matsuri. The festival is held annually in mid-August and is hosted by Tomioka Hachimangū Shrine in Kōtō Ward.
Historical Origins and Significance
Tomioka Hachimangū Shrine was founded in 1627 by Chōsei Hōin, a descendant of Sugawara no Michizane, on land that was then known as Eitaijima. The origins of the Fukagawa Matsuri are believed to date back to 1642, during the early Edo period. Over time, it came to be regarded as one of Edo’s major festivals.
The shrine developed under the patronage of the Tokugawa shogunate and was historically referred to as one of the most important Hachiman shrines in Edo, serving as a focal point of religious and community life in the Fukagawa area.
The “Water-Splashing Festival”
What distinguishes the Fukagawa Matsuri from many other Japanese festivals is its association with water, earning it the nickname “mizu-kake matsuri” (literally, water-splashing festival). During the procession, spectators and participants splash water on the mikoshi (portable shrines) as an act of purification and to cool the carriers during the summer heat.
The Hon-matsuri: A Grand Spectacle
While the festival takes place every year, its most elaborate celebrations occur during the Hon-matsuri, which is held once every three years. During the Hon-matsuri, the Hōren of Hachimangū — a highly prestigious ceremonial palanquin — appears alongside nearly 50 large mikoshi. The procession crosses Kiyosu Bridge over the Sumida River, passes through the Hakozaki and Shinkawa areas, and returns via Eitai Bridge.
In total, more than 120 portable shrines of varying sizes take part in the Hon-matsuri procession, making it one of the largest and most visually striking shrine events in Tokyo.
Mikoshi and Festival Events
The Fukagawa Matsuri is renowned for its impressive mikoshi processions and large-scale religious ceremonies. Tomioka Hachimangū is known for possessing one of the heaviest mikoshi in the Kantō region, weighing approximately 4.5 tons. Lavishly decorated with precious materials such as gold fittings and gemstones, it is valued at over one billion yen. Owing to its exceptional weight and value, this mikoshi is generally displayed at the shrine and is not carried during the procession.
The festival is held over five days in mid-August, with the central Shinto ritual taking place on August 15 regardless of the day of the week. The main procession is traditionally held on Sunday, featuring an approximately 8-kilometer route that departs from Tomioka Hachimangū and winds through the surrounding neighborhoods from early morning until mid-afternoon. In addition to the large mikoshi, the festival includes children’s processions, shrine maiden performances, and local neighborhood parades, highlighting the strong community involvement that defines the event.
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