The Narita Gion Matsuri, held over three days in early July, is one of the Kanto region's most spirited summer festivals and dates to the early Edo period. Dozens of dashi floats adorned with elaborate carvings and hanging lanterns — some carrying taiko drummers and hayashi musicians — parade down the historic stone-paved Omotesando approach leading to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. Large mikoshi portable shrines are carried with vigorous energy by teams in festival happi coats, accompanied by the calls of 'Wasshoi!' echoing off the ancient buildings. The event draws approximately 450,000 visitors over three days.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- Early July
- Region
- Kanto
- Prefecture
- Chiba
- City
- Narita
Highlights
- ◆Elaborately carved dashi floats with live taiko and hayashi music
- ◆Mikoshi parades along the historic temple Omotesando approach
- ◆300-year tradition tied to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
- ◆Conveniently accessible from Narita Airport
- ◆Traditional unagi (eel) restaurants along the festival route