Kanto · TokyoFestival
One of Edo’s three great festivals returns in full, sending a Heian-costumed procession winding for kilometres through central Tokyo.
Overview
The Sanno Matsuri of Hie Shrine in Nagatacho is counted among the three great festivals of old Edo. In the Tokugawa era its procession was allowed to enter the shogun’s castle, and it retains an air of stately grandeur unusual among Tokyo festivals.
The full-scale Shinko-sai procession is staged only in even-numbered years, making the 2026 edition a special one.
When & Where
Festival events run from June 7 to 17, 2026. The centrepiece Shinko-sai grand procession takes place on June 12, and a combined downtown mikoshi parade, the Shitamachi rengo togyo, follows on June 14. The base is Hie Shrine, close to the National Diet.
Nearest station: Tokyo Metro Tameike-Sanno or Akasaka.
Getting There
Hie Shrine sits in the government district and is directly served by the Tameike-Sanno, Akasaka and Kokkai-gijidomae subway stations, all a short walk away. The June 12 procession covers a route of around 23 kilometres through central Tokyo, so you can catch it at many points along the way.
What to Expect
The Shinko-sai sends a column of some 500 participants in Heian-period costume, along with ornate palanquins including a phoenix-topped imperial carriage and mikoshi, through the heart of the capital. Viewing spots near the Imperial Palace and Ginza let you see the procession pass against a modern city backdrop.
Tickets & Access
Admission is free; the procession and shrine events are open to the public. Hie Shrine itself is worth visiting for its hillside torii gate corridor.
Tips for Visitors
Pick up a route timetable so you can position yourself ahead of the procession rather than chasing it. Less crowded viewing points away from the Imperial Palace, such as around Ginza, still give a fine view. June can be hot and humid, so bring water.
Access and Map
| Dates | June 7–17, 2026 (grand procession June 12; downtown parade June 14) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Hie Shrine, 2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and central Tokyo streets |
| Access | Short walk from Tokyo Metro Tameike-Sanno / Akasaka / Kokkai-gijidomae |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Sanno Matsuri (Hie Shrine, official) |
Source: Sanno Matsuri (Hie Shrine, official)
Image: Photo: Vetalapancavimsatika / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
