
Held in mid June, the Sanno Matsuri (ŽR‰¤Õ, Sannō Matsuri) is one of the three most famous festivals of Tokyo, alongside the Kanda Matsuri and Fukagawa Matsuri. A full version of the festival is held only in even-numbered years, alternating with the full version of the Kanda Matsuri, which takes place in odd-numbered years. The Sanno Festival extends over a week with a variety of events, but most of them are rather small.
The festival's main attraction, which is held only in even-numbered years, is a parade that winds through central Tokyo over the course of nine hours on one of the festival days. The parade begins and ends at Hie Shrine, the shrine responsible for holding the festival. Hie Shrine enshrines the guardian deity of Tokyo. It is believed to predate the foundation of the city, and its kami (Shinto gods) have always been associated with the protection of the city.

When the Tokugawa shogun began to rule the country from Edo (former name of Tokyo), the shrine also became associated with the Tokugawa family. During the period of their rule, the festival became a celebration of the nation's new political center and its rulers.
In modern times, however, the parade has become much smaller in scale in order to avoid interfering with traffic and regular business. Many of the roads along the route get only partly closed, with busy traffic running alongside the festival parade. The procession consists of only some modest sized floats and about 500 people, who are dressed in colorful costumes. The most important part of the parade are three portable shrines (mikoshi), in which the kami (Shinto gods) are carried around the city.

At Hie Shrine, where the parade begins in the morning, visitors can find a large straw ring standing in the middle of the shrine grounds. Walking through the ring is an act of purification in which visitors can take part. The parade gradually winds its way around the area, passing by the Yotsuya train station and Yasukuni Shrine. Before noon the parade arrives at the Tokyo Imperial Palace and stops for about half an hour while the mikoshi are involved in religious ceremonies. The chief priest enters the palace to offer prayers to the emperor and imperial family, which is a rare honor afforded to the festival.

After a thirty minute pause, the parade continues past Tokyo Station before another pause of an hour is made at the small Nihonbashi Hie Shrine, where members of the procession are able to take a rest. Because the shrine is small, only a portion of the parade can enter, while the remaining people and floats head to a nearby park. After the parade resumes, it passes near Nihonbashi Bridge, through the center of Ginza, past Shinbashi Station and ends at Hie Shrine.

Getting there and around
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Links and Resources
Hotels around Tokyo
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MokkoanFeaturing free WiFi and a hot tub, Mokkoan offers accommodation in Kita Ward, Tokyo. Private parking is available on site. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Certain units have a seating area where you can relax. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. You will find a shared kitchen at the property. The guest house also offers free use of bicycles. Yokohama is 37 km from Mokkoan, while Chiba is 41 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 24 km from Mokkoan.View on Booking.com
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TOE LIBRARY Tokyo AsakusaLocated in the Taito district in Tokyo, TOE LIBRARY Tokyo Asakusa offers 3-star rooms with free WiFi. This sustainable apartment is located 200 metres from Honryuin Matsuchiyama Shoden and 300 metres from Great Tokyo Air Raid Memorial Monument. The apartment features family rooms. The apartment complex will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some units include a terrace and/or a balcony with garden views. At the apartment complex, all units are equipped with bed linen and towels. A bicycle rental service is available at the apartment. Popular points of interest near TOE LIBRARY Tokyo Asakusa include Honryuji Temple, Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and Sanyabori Park. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 23 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com
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Sato-san's RestOpen from October 2015, Sato-san's Rest offers accommodation in a shopping arcade in Tokyo's traditional downtown area. It features free WiFi and bicycle rental at an additional charge. Ueno can be reached with a 5-minute train ride while Akihabara is a 10-minute train ride away The property is a 8-minute walk from Hibiya Line Minowa Station exit 3, and a 30-second walk away from Toden Arakawa Line Arakawa-itchumae Station. Minowa Station provides better access to the city centre. . Yokohama is 35 km from Sato-san's Rest, while Chiba is 33 km from the property. Haneda Airport is 20 km away. All rooms come with free tea bags. Bathroom facilities are shared. There is luggage storage space at the property. The shower booths are available 24 hours and comes with free toiletries. Guests can enjoy local Japanese dishes at the nearby restaurants or buy some groceries at the shops in the arcade.View on Booking.com
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7 Rooms Hotel & CafeConveniently set in the Edogawa district of Tokyo, 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe is situated 1.3 km from Furukawa Shinsui Park, 1.5 km from Gyosen Park and 1.6 km from Ukita Park. The 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 700 metres from Subway Museum. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All units will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe can enjoy a continental breakfast. Shin Nagashima River Shinsui Park is 1.7 km from the accommodation, while Former House of Udagawa Family is 2.6 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe.View on Booking.com
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Hotel Gajoen TokyoBoasting chic decor with touches of Japanese traditional aethetics, Hotel Gajoen Tokyo is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. 7 dining options are featured, and free parking is available on site. JR Meguro Station is 6 minutes on foot and Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is a 12-minute stroll. Free WiFi is provided throughout. All spacious rooms rooms include a satellite TV with cable channels, minibar, a coffee machine and handy smartphone. An en suite bathroom is fitted with a spa bath, free toiletries and hairdryer. For your comfort, some rooms include a sauna. Guests can unwind in a Japanese-style garden or at a library on site The front desk is open for 24 hours a day, and there are a pastry shop and gift shop at the property. Massage services and room services can be arranged. Shunyuki serves signature Chinese delicacies, while Tofutei offers an authentic Japanese kaiseki multi-course meal. Teppanyaki Japanese wagyu beed, American-style grilled dishes and Italian cuisine can be sampled on site. Live piano performance can also be enjoyed at an on-site cafe lounge in the day time. JR Shibuya Station is a 5-minute train ride, while JR Shinagawa Station is 8 minutes by train from Hotel Gajoen Tokyo. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 10 km away.View on Booking.com
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Kaminarimon RyokanKaminarimon Ryokan offers accommodation with free WiFi. The rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV, fridge and Nespresso coffee machine. An electric kettle, a green tea set and free toiletries are provided. The hotel offers laundry service for an additional fee. Kaminarimon Ryokan is a 2-minute walk to the Asakusa Metro Station. From there, destinations like Akihabara, Ginza and Ueno are a 15-minute subway ride away. There are many dining options and convenience stores within a few minutes' walk from the hotel.View on Booking.com
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The Okura TokyoComposed of 2 buildings, The Okura Tokyo boasts a garden and bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. The accommodation features a concierge, ticket service and currency exchange for guests. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, kettle and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All guest rooms have a private bathroom with a bath, hairdryer, bidet and free toiletries. Located on 28-40 floors, Prestige Tower offers rooms with cityscape views. Guests booking room type with Club Lounge Access in Heritage Wing can enjoy Club Lounge. Spacious rooms in Heritage Wing include complimentary welcome drink, steam sauna and spa bath. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near The Okura Tokyo include Iino Hall and Conference Centre, National Diet Building and Space FS Shiodome. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International, 22 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.View on Booking.com
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Palace Hotel TokyoSituated right in the heart of Marunouchi business district, Palace Hotel Tokyo is 5-star luxury accommodation boasting 7 restaurants, a spa and a free-access fitness centre and indoor swimming pool. It is directly connected to Otemachi Subway Station and an 8-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station. Free WiFi is provided in the entire area. Offering elegant and chic ambience, each spacious room comes with a large LCD TV, a blu-ray/DVD player and a safety box. A fridge and an electric kettle are also provided. The en suite bathroom includes a small TV, a bath tub and toiletries. While staying at Tokyo Palace Hotel, guests can enjoy a workout at the fitness gym, or receive rejuvenating treatments at the on-site Evian Spa Tokyo. The concierge desk can arrange various services for guests including mobile phone rentals. Tablet rentals, copy and fax services are available for an extra charge upon request at the front desk or club lounge. Guests can enjoy authentic Japanese culinary experiences in Wadakura restaurant, Tatsumi tempura restaurant and Kanesaka sushi restaurant. Esterre offers exquisite French cuisine and the city views, while Grand Kitchen serves international dishes throughout the day. Located right next to the Imperial Palace, the hotel is a 10-minute walk from Ginza shopping area, and a 5-minute train ride from Akihabara electric town. Popular Tsukiji Fish Market can be reached within a 10-minute taxi ride. Airport limousine buses are available to/from Narita and Haneda airports at an extra charge.View on Booking.com
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cyashitsu ryokan asakusaSituated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and 7.5 km from the centre, cyashitsu ryokan asakusa features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan has a hot tub and luggage storage space. At the ryokan, the units come with a wardrobe. Each unit has a safety deposit box and some rooms include city views. At the ryokan, all units are soundproof. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. At cyashitsu ryokan asakusa, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Nitenmon Gate, Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center and Great Tokyo Air Raid Memorial Monument. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from cyashitsu ryokan asakusa.View on Booking.com
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ENT TERRACE AKIHABARAIdeally situated in the centre of Tokyo, ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA is within 400 metres of Origami Kaikan and 500 metres of TKP Garden City Premium Akihabara. The property is close to several well-known attractions, 500 metres from Koobu Inari Shrine, 300 metres from EDO Culture Complex and 500 metres from Ochanomizu Park. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchen, a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA the rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kamezumiinari Shrine, Yushima Goryo Shrine and Yushima Seido. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 21 km from ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Tokyo
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Japanese Traditional Kintsugi Experience in TokyoDiscover the Japanese traditional technique of transforming broken ceramic objects into revitalized art pieces, KintsugiView on Klook
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Instagrammable Cooking Class in Asakusa (Temari Sushi + Miso Soup)Experience making various types of Japanese food, such as temari sushi, miso-ball, asazuke and more!View on Klook
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Private Photoshoot Experience in Tokyo* We will introduce you to the "special Tokyo" that we know because we operate a service that is very popular in Japan!View on Klook
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Kimono Rental Experience in AsakusaTake the subway to Asakusa Station (Ginza Line) Exit 4 and walk for 20 seconds. It is 220 meters away from Sensoji Kaminarimon Gate. The location is perfect!View on Klook
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Kimono Yae Rental Experience in AsakusaVisit Yae in Asakusa, Tokyo and get to experience Japanese culture through clothing by renting a kimono/yukataView on Klook
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Kimono & Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi in Tokyo Asakusa Main Branch**Klook Exclusive Free Next Day Return! Limited Time Only!** Show this message and return your Kimono the next day for FREE for rental during Sep 15 - Dec 15, 2023. Exclusions applied to Formal Kimono Furisode and Homongi. See What to Expect for more detailsView on Klook
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Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament TourCome face to face with Japanese culture that has been kept alive through many years, such as the presence of a referee which began in the Sengoku period (about 1467-1603)View on Klook
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Asakusa Kimono & Yukata Rental Experience in Tokyo by Ouka KimonoYou can choose your own special kimono from 500 types!View on Klook
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Tokyo Highlights Private Day TourHead off to a number of must-see landmarks, attractions, and shopping places in Tokyo, all in one day!View on Klook
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Sumo Wrestling Experience with Tonkatsu LunchDon't miss your chance to interact with real sumo wrestlers!View on Klook
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