Experience the Delight of Asakusa's Tori no Ichi Festival

Trev's Take on Tori no Ichi Fest: An Unmissable Experience in Tokyo!

Hey there! Welcome to my insider's guide to the Tori no Ichi Festival, a vibrant, excitable, and downright incredible open-air market that hits Japan every November! As an American transplant living in Tokyo, I've grown to love exploring everything this dynamic city has to offer, and this is one event you can't afford to miss. So, buckle up and let's dive into the jaw-dropping world of Tori no Ichi!

If you hadn't heard, Tori no Ichi is a must for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Japanese culture. Not only is it a gastronomic delight – think scrumptious street food from every corner – but it's also an opportunity to pray for business prosperity and general good luck in the coming year.

But first, let's break it down. What exactly is Tori no Ichi? It's a traditional festival celebrated annually from ancient times, where luck-seekers flock to temples and shrines to score their very own kumade rake (often called bear hands – although they bear absolutely no resemblance to bears, if that’s what crossed your mind). Kumade are elaborately decorated rakes featuring charms said to bring happiness, success, prosperity, and wealth to their new owners. Pretty nifty, huh?

Now, you might be wondering: why rakes? Well, traditionally, Tori no Ichi was originally a harvest festival where people would offer rakes as a token of gratitude for the year's bountiful crop. But the origins of the festival go way beyond that. From a Shinto perspective, Tori no Ichi was inspired by a legendary Japanese prince who thanked the deity for his victories by offering rakes at a shrine. From a Buddhist angle, the festival was started to commemorate the flight of a Bodhisattva on the back of an eagle, which became symbolic of overcoming evil spirits and ushering in good luck.

Now that we've got the background out of the way, let's talk numbers. The 2024 festival will be held on Monday, November 4th and Tuesday, November 5th, with rituals starting at 11:15 am on Monday and 1:00 pm on Tuesday. The events take place in Asakusa at Chokokuji Temple and Otori Shrine, two adjoining sites a stone's throw away from Asakusa Station.

But it's more than just kumade that set Tori no Ichi apart. You'll find a host of unique activities like parades, traditional dances, and the tear-jerking hand-clapping ritual to bring wishes of prosperity for the business world to life. And let's not forget the mouthwatering festival food on offer! Think delicious mochi, the lively Otori-mai dance, and the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Japan's festive atmosphere.

So, mark your calendars, gear up for an unforgettable experience, and prepare to buy your own lucky kumade to bring good fortune Year of the Rooster style! If you're looking for a more immersive way to discover the Asakusa area, consider joining us on one of our incredible tours. We'd be thrilled to share our local expertise and show you the very best of this vibrant corner of Tokyo. Until then, keep exploring and remember – good luck comes to those who seek it! 🤞🇯🇵🇯🇵

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Happy (lucky!) travels!

The Tori no Ichi Festival is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic Japanese experience, offering not only a gastronomic delight but also the opportunity to pray for prosperity and good luck in the coming year.
Originating from ancient times, Tori no Ichi is a traditional festival where people flock to temples and shrines to purchase kumade rakes, elaborately decorated rakes believed to bring happiness, success, prosperity, and wealth.
The festival also boasts unique activities such as parades, traditional dances, and a hand-clapping ritual, as well as mouthwatering festival food like mochi and the opportunity to witness the Otori-mai dance.
To deepen your understanding of the Asakusa area, consider joining a tour to discover local expertise and the best of this vibrant corner of Tokyo, especially during the Tori no Ichi Festival.