The Sanja Matsuri festival that heralds the arrival of summer in Tokyo has reached its climax with a procession of portable shrines known as “mikoshi” through the historic Asakusa district.
People carrying three large shrines set out from Asakusa Shrine at around 7 a.m. on Sunday, the final day of the three-day event. They were headed in different directions — west, south and east.
One of the shrines was paraded along the Nakamise shopping street and passed through the iconic Kaminari-mon gate, accompanied by the energetic chants of local parishioners.
Crowds of spectators both from around Japan and abroad cheered and took photos of the procession.
A man in his 50s who was one of the mikoshi bearers said he has been taking part every year, and this year is again impressed with the feverish atmosphere. He added that carrying the shrine makes him feel summer has arrived.
A man in his 60s from Aichi Prefecture said he has been traveling around the country to see various festivals and this is his first visit to the Sanja Matsuri. He said he feels overwhelmed by the powerful presence of the portable shrines.
AloJapan.com