Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri

Mid August. Need to cool down in hot summer? Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri might be an idea in case you dont mind geting wet. More than 50 teams carrying "Mikoshi" (portable shrines) together with dancers and musicians parade the streets of Koto-ku. In total, 30.000 people participate in the parade. A crowd of 500.000 cheers them on (and throws water at them). It's thought that the gods (in the mikoshi) enjoy a good summer soaking.

The water soaking also has a practical purpose. Mikoshi weight thousands of kilograms and Tokyo summers are often incredibly hot and humid. The mikoshi teams are refreshed by the constant onslaught of cool water.

Location: Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, Monzen Nakacho Station is close.