Every year in early June, a spectacular site can be enjoyed when the most majestic portable shrine is brought out from its home of enshrinement and paraded throughout Taito City.

The Torikoe Festival is held annually, on and around June 9, with the main event typically held on a Sunday. Vendors line the streets and visitors fill the area as children and adults alike join in the festivities. The pinnacle of the festivities is when the Senkan Mikoshi, a fantastically decorated portable shrine covered in lanterns, and said to be the heaviest of its kind in Tokyo, is brought out from its home at Torikoe Shrine and paraded around the city before returning it to its home.

Torikoe Shrine itself has a long history of more than 1370 years! And within Torikoe Shrine, expectant parents from all over visit the Shishiki Shrine to pray for a safe delivery of their coming child.

This year, in the 4th year of Reiwa, the portable shrine will be brought out on a “dashi,” or traditional Japanese float, and paraded about on June 12th. That weekend, there will be many street vendors out, hawking their wares and delicacies.

With more and more events and activities opening up, many visitors are expected to participate in this year’s festival. You are sure to hear bearers of the shrine and float call out “Washoi” a traditional festival call, which MAY derive from 和背負い (wa-seoi or wa-shoi) translating roughly to “carrying the harmony.” So be sure to come join the excitement in Tokyo’s Taito City at the Torikoe Festival and see for yourself the harmony carried and shared throughout Taito City!