Tomioka Hachimangu

While Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine is worth a visit just for its impressive architecture, the beautiful grounds are also home to a regular antique market that usually takes place on the first, second, fourth and fifth Sunday of every month. However, to make sure the market is on schedule, you can check the website for the exact dates each month. As this is an antique market, the items here are a bit less junky than some of the other flea markets in town, with plenty of gorgeous Japanese tableware, folk artworks, antique kimono and more. In case of rain, the event is cancelled.

Known as one of the three great festivals of Edo (along with the Sanno and Kanda festivals), the matsuri at Fukagawa’s Tomioka Hachimangu shrine takes place annually, but is celebrated in its full glory only once every three years. The festival, which boasts 380 years of history, is well known for its unique water-splashing tradition. People enthusiastically throw water at the mikoshi (portable shrines) as an act of purification, drenching everyone in the vicinity, thus creating a playful and cooling experience, especially in the summer heat. This year, you can expect the real deal with the main version of the festival taking place in 2026. The main event, featuring mikoshi processions held on a grand scale, features over 50 portable shrines of various sizes and will be held from 7.30am on Sunday August 16. Expect to get soaked with plenty of water splashing this year. The festivities in the shrine grounds begin on August 12 and continue until August 16, with notable highlights including a jazz performance on August 15 (3pm) and a koto and shamisen performance on August 14 (from 3pm).  For more information including the festival schedule and procession map (Japanese only), check the shrine website.