The annual Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine Festival falls on the first weekend of September. For 2023, it will revert to its usual programming after three years of cancellations and scaling back due to the pandemic. This year is also particularly momentous for the festival as it’s celebrating the 555th anniversary of Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine.
While this festival is spread out over two days, the main event occurs on Sunday September 3, when around a dozen or so mikoshi (portable shrines) are carried through the neighbourhood from 1pm. At 5pm, there will be an array of live performances including hula dancing, belly dancing and gagaku (traditional Japanese classical music).