Fukagawa Hachiman Festival (Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine Festival) 深川八幡祭り(富岡八幡宮例祭) 🎉💦

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Location 📍

1-20-3 Tomioka, Koto City, Tokyo

The annual festival of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, also celebrated as the Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, takes place around August 15. It's revered as one of the three great festivals of Edo (the historical name for Tokyo).

During the festival, participants engage in the unique tradition of splashing purifying water on mikoshi (portable shrines), earning it the moniker: the "water-splashing festival." Both shrine-bearers and onlookers contribute to the vibrant and playful atmosphere that characterizes this event.

Festival Highlights 🎊

The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, held once every three years in mid-August at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, is renowned for its main parade (連合渡御), where over fifty units of mikoshi are joyfully doused with water. The festival also features performances such as Geisha dances and Kiyariuta (traditional songs), embodying the spirit of the Edo period.

Historical Significance 📜

Hachiman Shrine's origins trace back to 1624 when a statue of Hachiman (the God of War) was enshrined on Eitai Island. Since its inception, the shrine has held a special place in the hearts of the Fukagawa community.

Monuments and Memorials 🗿

Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine houses several stone monuments that celebrate the heritage of Fukagawa, including the 'Monument of Fukagawa Strength,' 'Monument of Kiba Riding,' and the 'Yokozuna Rikishi Memorial Monument.'

The Fukagawa Hachiman Festival not only offers a glimpse into Tokyo's rich cultural past but also provides a unique and engaging experience for visitors and locals alike, blending spiritual traditions with communal joy.