Kanto · TokyoFestival
Giant drums and eight portable shrines thunder through Fuchu after dark in the grand spring festival of Okunitama Shrine.
Overview
The Kurayami Matsuri, or Darkness Festival, is the annual grand festival of Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu, a suburb of western Tokyo with more than a thousand years of history. Its name comes from the old custom of parading the portable shrines through streets plunged into darkness, and it remains one of the Tokyo area’s most powerful traditional festivals.
The climax on the evening of May 5 sends eight mikoshi and six enormous taiko drums booming down the old Koshu road.
When & Where
The festival spans April 30 to May 6, 2026, building to the main mikoshi procession on the evening of May 5. Events centre on Okunitama Shrine and the surrounding streets of Fuchu.
Nearest station: Keio Line Fuchu Station.
Getting There
Fuchu is around 25 minutes from Shinjuku on the Keio Line; Fuchu Station is a five-minute walk from the shrine. The JR Nambu and Musashino lines stop at nearby Fuchuhommachi. Trains back to central Tokyo run late on the main night, but expect heavy crowds around the procession.
What to Expect
Over its week the festival packs in a horse-riding rite, taiko drumming, and daytime float pulls, but the signature moment is the after-dark parade of eight mikoshi led by six massive drums, each hauled by teams of carriers. Hundreds of food and game stalls line the approach throughout.
Tickets & Access
Admission is free. Some paid seating and reserved viewing areas are offered for the busiest evening; check the shrine or city information close to the date.
Tips for Visitors
For the May 5 highlight, stake out a spot along the Kyu-Koshu-Kaido well before the drums set off in the evening. Go early in the day if you prefer a calmer look at the shrine and floats, and keep an eye on children in the dense crowds.
Access and Map
| Dates | April 30 – May 6, 2026 (main procession evening of May 5) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Okunitama Shrine, 3-1 Miyamachi, Fuchu, Tokyo |
| Access | ~5 min walk from Keio Line Fuchu Station; or JR Fuchuhommachi |
| Admission | Free (some paid seating on the main evening) |
| Official site | Fuchu City (Kurayami Matsuri) |
Source: Fuchu City (Kurayami Matsuri)
Image: Photo: Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
