The 36th Asakusa Samba Carnival Parade Contest will take place on Saturday, 26 August 2017. This big, loud, and colorful event is very popular and attracts over 500.000 visitors each year.

The different samba schools that participate in the parade contest each pick a theme for the year. Then they compose their own song and lyrics and create costumes and floats that fit in with their theme. Come and see the dancers, drummers, and singers in their bright costumes. The teams taking part are samba schools from all over Japan, including local teams. Among the Japanese participants are also Brazilians who live in Japan.

Many spectators come not only for the music, but also to take pictures of the dancers and costumes. Like a traditional festival, the carnival parade is held on the streets near Senso-ji Temple and people line up on the sidewalks for the best viewing spots.

The teams gather in the area between Senso-ji Temple and Sumida River and start down Umamichi-dori. When they reach the crossing in front of Azuma-bashi Bridge they turn right onto Kaminarimon-dori. Then they pass in front of Senso-ji Temple’s Kaminarimon Gate and continue to the end of the street near the Ginza Line Tawaramachi Station.

Some streets will be closed for traffic, but you can get right to the parade by train. The Asakusa Stations of Ginza Line, Asakusa Line, and Tobu Skytree Line are located in the center of the parade’s route. You can also walk over from the less crowded Tawaramachi Station on the Ginza Line or use the Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station.

Please enjoy this cheerful summer celebration!

36th Asakusa Samba Carnival Parade Contest
Saturday, 26 August 2017 from 13:00 to 18:00
Venue: Umamichi-dori Street and Kaminarimon-dori Street in Asakusa
Official website: http://www.asakusa-samba.org/index.html