Nezu Shrine is not only famous for its 3,000 blooming azalea in spring, the sacred grounds also host the annual Grand Festival, considered as one of Edo’s (as Tokyo used to be known) top celebrations.
The festival, formerly named ‘Tenkasai’, started in 1714 under the sixth shogun Tokugawa Ienobu and saw large floats carried through the streets. Nowadays, you can enjoy Sanza-no-mai and Urayasu-no-mai dance performances – both intangible cultural assets of Bunkyo ward – plus a variety of street food stalls.
The shrine's main mikoshi (portable shrines) will not be carried out this year, but expect drumming performances by local taiko troupes Nezukoren and Gongen Taiko on September 20 from 11am and 12noon respectively.
Sanza-no-mai performances will be held on September 21 from 2pm, and the Urayasu-no-mai performance will be held from 7pm on September 20.