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The Urayasu Sanja Reitaisai is a regular joint festival of three shrines in Urayasu City, Seiryu, Toyouke, and Inari Shrine. It is Urayasu's traditional festival featuring more than 100 mikoshi and dashi floats parading through the city's Motomachi area where the three shrines are located. It began in 1923 when the mikoshi were donated to the shrines, and it happens once every 4 years on leap years (same years as the summer Olympics).
Unique mikoshi motions called "Jisuri", the distinctive festive calls of "maeda, maeda" instead of the usual "wasshoi" are among the many aspects only seen at this festival. Furthermore, you may carry the mikoshi just as long as you find yourself a festival attire.
Urayasu used to be a fishing town facing the sea. Will you be able to find remnants of those days in this major festival held once every four years?
"Jisuri", comprised of "Suri", "Momi", "Sashi" and "Houri", is the area's unique way of maneuvering the mikoshi. It is said to show the motions of the phoenix from when it lands to when it takes off again. The "Suri" and "Momi" are carried at a low position, "Sashi" brings it to head-high, and then the mikoshi is thrown in the air at "Houri"! The beginning of the maneuver is signaled as the mikoshi enters a intersection or a wide road. Please watch for your safety, and enjoy the festival!
At the Urayasu Sanja festival, anybody can participate as long as you have a minimum matsuri outfit on, complete with Tabi on your feet. You may find your gear before the festival either in Tokyo/Asakusa or online, but since there are stores near Urayasu Station, it may be a good plan to find them there through local advice and assessment. Participants all look happy carrying the mikoshi, but they are heavy and it is quite a challenge to maintain synchronicity with the rest of the crew. Make sure you warm up!
Use of flash is prohibited during Yoimiya and Mitama-ire
Always say thank you when you receive drinks such as the sacred sake
Use of drones are prohibited
Do not join to carry the mikoshi with your sneakers on, for it may lead to trouble
Access to Urayasu City
[nearest station]
Urayasu Station, Tokyo Metro Tozai Line
Festival Location
Urayasu City, from Motomachi to Nakamachi area
Seiryu Shrine: 4-1-5 Horie, Urayasu City
Toyouke Shrine: 3-13-1 Nekozane, Urayasu City
Inari Shrine: 3-11-5 Todaijima, Urayasu City
