Fukagawa Matsuri深川祭

The Fukagawa Matsuri, also known as the Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, stands as one of Tokyo's most vibrant and historically significant festivals. Celebrated as one of the three great Shinto festivals of Tokyo alongside the Kanda Matsuri and Sannō Matsuri, this annual event is held in mid-August by the Tomioka Hachiman Shrine in Koto, Tokyo.

Historical Origins and Significance

Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine was built in 1627 by Nagamori Hoin, a descendant of Sugawara no Michizane, at the present site, which was then called Eitaijima. The festival is believed to date back to 1642, making it one of the three greatest festivals of Edo. The shrine itself holds the distinction of being "the largest Hachiman shrine in Edo" and has developed under the protection of the Tokugawa shoguns throughout its history.

The "Water-Splashing Festival"

What truly sets the Fukagawa Matsuri apart from other Japanese festivals is its unique characteristic that has earned it the nickname "mizu-kake matsuri"—literally water throwing festival. Throughout the event, people splash purifying water on mikoshi (portable shrines), lending the event its nickname: the "water-splashing festival". From local shopkeepers to firefighters, everybody is happily throwing water to the mikoshi, creating a festive atmosphere that provides relief from the intense summer heat.

The Hon-Matsuri: A Grand Spectacle

While the festival occurs annually, the most spectacular celebrations happen during the "Hon-matsuri" years, which occur every three years. The Hon-matsuri is held every three years, where the Horen of Hachimangu will appear with nearly 50 large Mikoshi to cross the Kiyosu Bridge to Hakozaki and Shinkawa, then return back from the Eitaibashi Bridge. During the "Honmatsuri" festival, a palanquin from Hachimangu Shrine is carried by more than 120 portable shrines of various sizes.

The Magnificent Mikoshi

The festival showcases some of Japan's most impressive portable shrines. The Tomioka Hachiman-gū is known to have the heaviest mikoshi in the Kantō region, weighing 4.5 tons. It is decorated with diamonds, sapphires and rubies, and is worth over a billion yen. Due to its enormous weight and value, this particular mikoshi is typically displayed at the shrine rather than carried through the streets.

Festival Schedule and Activities

The central religious ritual is held on August 15 regardless of what day of the week it is. The festival takes place over five days, but Sunday is the day of the main parade—an 8km route which loops the shrine to the north from 7:30am to 3:30pm. Various events occur throughout the festival period, including children's processions, shrine maiden performances, and neighborhood parades.

• Official Website (Japanese)