Tori-no-Ichi is a traditional market festival held on Days of the Rooster in November at Otori Shrines across Tokyo, with the celebrations at Otori Shrine in Asakusa's Senzoku district being the most famous and atmospheric. Hundreds of stalls line the approach selling kumade — ornate bamboo rakes decorated with good-luck symbols, miniature Takarabune treasure ships, and golden coins — believed to 'rake in' wealth and success for businesses. When a deal is struck, the vendor, buyer, and onlookers all clap in unison in the traditional tejime ritual. The festival illuminates the Asakusa neighbourhood on cold November nights and has been celebrated since the Edo period as the official launch of the Tokyo year-end season.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Culture
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- November
- Region
- Kanto
- Prefecture
- Tokyo
- City
- Taito, Tokyo
Highlights
- ◆Hundreds of stalls selling elaborately decorated kumade lucky rakes
- ◆Tejime group clapping ceremony sealing each rake purchase
- ◆Edo-period tradition marking the start of Tokyo's year-end season
- ◆Atmospheric lantern-lit night market in Asakusa
- ◆Symbol of commercial prosperity beloved by Tokyo businesses