Asakusa’s Sanja Festival, heralding the arrival of early summer season in Tokyo, has commenced. On its first day, May 17, a grand parade happened for the primary time in 5 years.

Asakusa Shrine Support Association Vice Chairman Shigemi Fuji: ‘The grand parade, which marks the start of the Sanja Festival, could not be held final 12 months resulting from rain, and for years earlier than that as nicely. We are lastly capable of do it.’

The grand parade of the Sanja Festival has returned after 5 years, affected beforehand by the COVID-19 pandemic and rain.

The parade featured music floats, geishas, conventional Binzasara dance, and the elegant Shiragashi dance, all including vibrancy to Asakusa.

This 12 months, the parade took about an hour, focusing primarily on the jap facet of Asakusa Shrine, together with areas like Kaminarimon and Nakamise Street.

A big crowd gathered alongside the route to observe the parade, taking images and including to the energetic environment.

Later, a sacred Binzasara dance ritual was carried out on the most important corridor of Asakusa Shrine, praying for prosperity in enterprise and the flourishing of descendants.

On May 18, round 100 moveable shrines (mikoshi) will probably be paraded within the town-wide Mikoshi Union procession, with youngsters additionally carrying a mikoshi within the ‘Konomiya’ procession, enveloping your entire Asakusa space in fervent pleasure.