Sanja Matsuri

Tokyo's premier festival held annually in May at Asakusa Shrine. About 100 portable shrines parade through Asakusa's streets, with the spirited bearers generating such intensity it is called 'kenka mikoshi' (fighting shrine). Embodying the spirit and vitality of Edokko (true Tokyoites), it attracts nearly 2 million spectators as one of Tokyo's largest festivals.

One of the three great festivals of Edo, held in May of odd-numbered years at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Tokyo. It originated from Tokugawa Ieyasu's prayer for victory before the Battle of Sekigahara, and during the Edo period, it was observed by the shogun as a Tenka Matsuri. With mikoshi processions and tsuke-matsuri, it carries the spirit of Edo into the present day.

Large-scale festival held every July at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Chiyoda, Tokyo, retaining strong Edo heritage. Over 100 portable shrines and floats parade through the streets, transmitting Edo's traditional festival culture to the present day. Designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, it maintains continuity from the Edo period.

Japanese fireworks culture developed during the Edo period. Flourishing as popular entertainment, innovations by period pyrotechnicians shaped modern fireworks traditions. Many festivals including Sumida River Fireworks inherit this legacy, representing Japan's aesthetic and technical heritage in summer festival culture.

Traditional Japanese musical drama characterized by elaborate costumes, makeup, and stylized movements. Developed as popular entertainment during the Edo period, it continues to be performed at venues like Kabuki-za. Recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, kabuki is a flagship Japanese performing art with sustained domestic and international popularity.

A premier summer festival of the Tohoku region held every August in Aomori City. Enormous illuminated warrior-themed floats called nebuta parade through the streets while dancers known as haneto leap to the chant of 'Rassera.' It is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.