Shibuya’s biggest festival is happening this September at Konno Hachimangu Shrine and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The Shibuya Matsuri, which has been celebrated annually for several hundred years, is a Shinto tradition praying for good harvest, prosperity and the health of the shrine parishioners. This year, expect to see a variety of cultural performances at the shrine’s Kaguraden dance hall from 11am on Saturday, such as Indian Odissi dance by the Surya dance troupe, a taiko drumming performance, Japanese folk dance and French Chanson singing, just to name a few.
Complementing this diverse programme are events for children, including yo-yo fishing, local mascot gatherings and a shateki shooting game to win prizes. The shrine will also host a space for food trucks selling the usual Shibuya snacks such as kebab, cotton candy and fried takoyaki. For a complete schedule of events happening within the shrine precincts, check the official event website.
The main highlight of the festival, however, is the gigantic mikoshi parade happening all day on Sunday starting at noon. This procession of 14 portable shrines from various neighbourhoods in Shibuya will kick off in Aoyama and slowly make its way through Shibuya Scramble Crossing before arriving at the square in front of Shibuya 109 at roughly 2pm.
The convergence of many mikoshi in such a tight space is surely challenging, especially as pious groups become competitive and start jostling to carry the portable shrines through the crowds.