Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri - One of the Three Great Festivals of Edo

Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri is one of the "Three Great Festivals of Edo," held every year in mid-August at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Koto Ward, Tokyo, alongside Kanda Matsuri and Sanno Matsuri. As the grand festival of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, which was founded in 1627, this historic celebration has continued since the Edo period and is deeply connected to the culture of old downtown Tokyo. The festival's most distinctive feature is the "water splashing" tradition, where spectators along the route vigorously douse the mikoshi carriers with purifying water in the heat of summer. Both the carriers and the crowd become united in the excitement, creating a dynamic spectacle that drives away the summer heat—earning the festival its beloved nickname, the "Water Splashing Festival." During the main festival, held once every three years, over 50 large mikoshi from various neighborhood associations parade along an approximately 8-kilometer route in the "Mikoshi Rengō Togyo" (United Mikoshi Procession), making it the festival's grandest occasion. Throughout the festival period, the shrine grounds host daily dedication performances including taiko drums, dances, and sacred kagura music, allowing visitors to fully experience the elegance and atmosphere of Edo culture—a true summer tradition.