If you ever get the chance to check out a shrine festival in Japan, get on board the fun train. Its crowded, crazy, noisy and amazing. The Sanja Matsuri festival is a 3 day party at Senso-ji shrine in Asakusa. It is held on the third weekend of May every year.
There are different events on each of the 3 days. We went on the Saturday where around 100 mini-shrines from the 44 Asakusa districts gather at the shrine. The mini shrines are paraded around the area and the Shinto priests bless and purify them for the following year. When the ceremony is completed they are paraded back through the respective neighbourhoods.
There are even smaller shrines carried by groups of kids. Super cute.
Pants seems to be optional for the guys.
This little guy was awesome, mohawk and all. His fan work was impressive.
The drummers were really cool too.
Everyone was having a ball. Lots of chanting, singing & laughing. The old guys were partying the hardest.
Lots of posing for photos.
And the food was fabulous. Street food everywhere. We stuffed ourselves with some takoyaki.Check out the ice cream flavours below. I tried the white peach sherbet. Epic. I'm not quite brave enough to try Sake or Tofu Milk. My friend had the horseradish flavour.I wasn't a fan.
I really enjoyed the community spirit and watching everyone having so much fun. Would definitely go again if I get the chance.
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