Once-in-3-Year Mikoshi Parade to Come This Weekend!

Two spectacular mikoshi parades will take place in the Fukagawa area in eastern Tokyo this weekend as part of a once-in-three-year big summer festival at Tomioka-Hachimangu Shrine.

Especially this year, they include the famous water throwing parade which was due last year but postponed to this summer because of the earthquake.

The festival will start on Saturday, 11th of August, when the large luxurious Mikoshi (portable shrine) from Hachimangu shrine parades through the streets. It is said that the spirit of the god rides on the Mikoshi, wishing for peace and happiness of the people. The Mikoshi is accompanied by priests and dancing priestesses.

The water throwing parade is on Sunday, 12th of August. 54 beautiful Mikoshis from each community of Fukagawa take part in the parade. Each mikoshi is carried by dozens or even hundreds of locals with thunderous "Wasshoi" calls. The parade will start from Hachimangu shrine at 7:30am.

People along the street pour water using buckets, hoses and even fire-extinguishing vehicles on Mikoshis and on their carriers, for purification purpose and also for refreshment in a hot, burning summer day.
If you get closer to the parade, you are sure to get soaked. Don't forget to bring plastic bag to protect your phone or camera from water.

Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine: 1-20-3 Tomioka, Koto-ku, Tokyo.
3 to 6 minutes walk from Monzen Nakacho station, on Tozai line (Tokyo Metro) or Oed Line (Toei Subway).