Sanno Festival 2025

Event date:
June 7, 2025 at 11:41 pm
Event end:
June 17, 2025 at 11:41 pm

Step into the Elegance of Edo-Era Japan at One of Tokyo’s Three Great Festivals

The Sanno Festival (山王祭), one of Tokyo’s most prestigious and historic festivals, returns in 2025 to showcase centuries of Shinto tradition and imperial grandeur. Held biennially at Hie Shrine (日枝神社), this festival features magnificent processions, traditional performances, and vibrant ceremonies that offer a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural past.

Festival Highlights:

Grand Procession Through Central Tokyo: Witness the iconic Jinkosai (神幸祭) procession, where portable shrines (mikoshi) and over 300 participants dressed in Heian-period attire parade through central Tokyo, stopping at key landmarks like the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station.
Mikoshi Parades: Marvel at the sight of elaborately decorated portable shrines carried by festival-goers, representing the spirits of deities traveling through the city to bless its people.
Traditional Music & Dance: Enjoy court music (gagaku) and traditional dance performances, transporting you to the elegance of ancient Japan.
Sacred Rituals at Hie Shrine: Experience solemn Shinto rituals performed at Hie Shrine, offering prayers for prosperity, peace, and protection for Tokyo.
Festival Markets & Stalls: Explore the lively grounds of Hie Shrine, filled with food stalls offering festival delicacies and local crafts.

Event Details:

Dates: June 7–17, 2025 (Main procession on June 15)
Location: Hie Shrine & Central Tokyo
Admission: Free (Some areas may have restricted access)

Regular Festival Schedule – 2025

Friday, August 7 – 6:00 AM
Sub-shrine Yasaka Shrine Annual Festival
(Sub-shrine)
Friday, August 7 – 7:45 AM to 5:00 PM
Shinkosai – Nihonbashi Otabisho Festival
(1:45 PM: Visit to the Imperial Palace, procession of parishioners in each town)
(Each parishioner town)
Saturday, August 8 – 10:00 AM
Sayama New Tea Dedication Ceremony
(Along the grounds of the tea garden, Main office)
Sunday, August 9 – Noon
Children’s Procession
(Main office)
Sunday, August 9 – 2:30 PM
Children’s Procession
(Main office)
Monday, August 10 – 11:00 AM
Omotesenke Headmaster’s Tea Offering Ceremony
(Main office)
Thursday, August 13 – 6:00 PM
Lantern Offering Ceremony
(Main office)
Friday, August 14 – 6:00 PM
Lantern Offering Ceremony
(Main office)
Saturday, August 15 – 11:00 AM
Annual Festival – Protection of the Imperial Palace and Prayers for Peace for the Citizens
(Main office)
Saturday, August 15 – 6:00 PM
Lantern Offering Ceremony
(Main office)
Sunday, August 16 – 11:00 AM
Sencha Reido Nissen-ryu Tea Ceremony
(Main office)
Sunday, August 16 – 1:00 PM
Sanno Kasho Festival
(Main office)
Monday, August 17 – 10:00 AM
Urasenke Headmaster’s Tea Offering Ceremony
(Main office)

June 2025 Celebration Festival Schedule

Friday, June 7 – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Kagura Music
(Gennosuke Matsumoto’s company service at Affiliated shrines)
Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 16 – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Sayama Tea Ceremony – Kasho Festival Sweets Reception
(A reception of Kasho sweets and tea, sponsored by the Tokyo Japanese Confectionery Industry Cooperative Association and the Sayama City Tea Industry Association at Temple grounds)
Saturday, August 8 – Around 4:00 PM
The Joint Entry of Each Town of Parishioners into the Shrine
(Temple grounds)
Sunday, August 9 – 9:10 AM
Shitamachi Union Sessha Miya-dashi
(Affiliated shrines)
Sunday, August 9 – Noon
Shitamachi Joint Parade
(Kyobashi – Nihonbashi)
Sunday, August 9 – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM
Hibiya High School Koto Club Dedication Performance
(Hibiya High School Koto Club, Kagura Hall)
Sunday, August 9 – Noon to 4:00 PM
Kagura Music – Wakayama Taneo Company Service
(Kagura Hall)
Wednesday, August 12 – 12:15 PM to 1:00 PM
Mini Concert “Japanese Songs”
(Chorus by Akasaka Hikawa Choir Yasaka, Kagura Hall)
Thursday, August 13 to Saturday, August 15 – 6:30 PM Onwards
Sanno Ondo and Folk Dance Festival
(Ochiai Company Service at Sanno Park Tower Public Open Space)
Friday, August 14 – 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Outdoor Tea Ceremony
(Urasenke Nagai Sokei Company Service at Temple grounds)
Friday, August 14 to Saturday, August 15 – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Kagura Music – Kojimachi Musical Performance
(Kagura Hall)
Saturday, August 15 – Daytime
*The Edo Tradition of “Sato Kagura”
*Sanno Taiko
Outdoor Tea Ceremony
(Gennosuke Matsumoto’s company service, Hie Shrine Youth Association Service, Soenryu Hosoda Soei Society Service at Kagura Hall and Temple grounds)
Sunday, August 16 – Daytime
*The Edo Tradition of “Sato Kagura”
*Sencha Tea Ceremony in the Nisen School
Wakayama Taneo Company Service
(Serving Master Moeyo Koizumi, Headmaster of the Nissen School at Kagura Hall and Temple grounds)

Why You Should Go:
The Sanno Festival is not just a celebration – it’s a rare chance to witness imperial-era traditions unfold in modern Tokyo. Known for its refined, elegant atmosphere, this festival contrasts the lively nature of other matsuri, making it an ideal event for those seeking a deeper connection to Japan’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Join the celebration and experience the grandeur of Sanno Festival 2025, where ancient traditions meet the heart of Tokyo’s bustling cityscape.