Akasaka Hikawa Shrine is hosting its biggest festival this weekend, complete with Bon Odori dancing, parades and more.
The festival’s main Shinkosai event on September 15 will feature recently restored historical dashi floats from the Edo period (1603-1868). All five of them will be carried out for a parade for the first time in over a century. These heritage floats will be joined by the shrine’s main Miya Mikoshi float for the parade and gather at the soon-to-open Tokyo World Gate Akasaka complex at 2.30pm. A detailed procession map can be found here.
There’s a smaller but equally vibrant mikoshi procession on September 13, travelling from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station to Akasaka Hikawa Shrine from 6pm to 9pm. It features a taiko drum float alongside a boat-shaped float carrying a detailed image of the Japanese god of wealth Ebisu. A children's mikoshi parade is scheduled for September 14 at the Ark Hills Autumn Festival (11am-2pm) and the Akasaka Gakuen Primary and Junior High School (1pm-4pm)
In addition to portable shrine processions, expect to see Bon Odori gatherings happening daily from 6.30pm to 9pm within the shrine precincts. Food stalls selling festival snacks will also be open daily from 3pm to 9pm.
For the full event schedule and maps, check the event website.