Asakusa Tori no Ichi is one of the famous festivals in Asakusa, held in Asakusa Otori Shrine in November every year, where hundreds of thousands of people gather and buy bamboo rakes to bring good luck to their businesses.
Interestingly, according to Chinese Zodiac Rooster’s Day, the shrine holds the festival thrice in the same month. So, if you miss two, you have a chance to see the final one held in the last week of the month.
Location:
Asakusa Otori Shrine holds Asakusa Tori no Ichi Festival every year in November. It’s the second biggest festival in Asakusa after Sanja Matsuri.
Asakusa Tori Ichi festival is a business-related festival with more than 1,000 booths selling Kumade and good luck-related goods.
The location of the shrine is just adjacent to the Chokokuji Temple. It’s only a 10-minute walk from Senjoji Temple.
History:
The history of Tori no Ichi has a long history.
The festival originated in the 18th century as a thanksgiving harvest festival for farmers. Farmers offered chicken to the shrine on the day. At the same time, some farmers used to sell their surplus goods or pay their debts. But later, it became a traditional festival.
Tori no Ichi simply means Rooster’s Fair or Rooster Festival.
According to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar, the festival takes place on Rooster Day. The shrines where bird-related gods enshrine hold this festival.
However, the origin of the day was actually Harvest Festival. People used to pray to their gods so that the gods would bring good fortune and a better future at the Harvest Festival.
When is Tori no Ichi?
Asakusa Tori no Ichi festival usually takes place in November.
In 2022, the festival took place on November 4, 16, and 28. Moreover, the Tori Ichi fair takes place the first, 3rd, and last week of the month.
What to buy?
The main item of the festival is a decorative bamboo rake or Kumade in Japanese. The price of a Kumade depends on its size, feature, and decoration.
The most famous Kumade may cost hundreds of thousands of Japanese yen. However, people can get a small Kumade for 1,000 yen.
If you’re interested, you can buy Kumade souvenirs to take to your country. Many tourists buy such souvenirs for their friends.
How to buy Kumade?
There is a tradition in how to buy a Bamboo Rake. It’s interesting.
The booth staff, including the visitors, wish good luck to the buyers at the Tori Ichi festival by singing and clapping hands. It’s wonderfully welcoming and harmonious.
If you wish, please visit my Instagram reel here to see how sellers and visitors wish a good future for the buyers at Asakusa Tori no Ichi Festival.
What to eat?
Asakusa is not only famous for tradition but also for food. You can get famous Asakusa street food, like Ningyo yaki, Takoyaki, soba, and Octopus ball.
In short, you can try other kinds of Japanese festival food here.
Kids entertainment:
This festival is also famous for its entertainment stall for kids.
Tori Ichi Festival has many kids’ entertainment stalls. Kids can pick up lovely fish and shoot rubber bullets with a nice rifle gun.
Surroundings:
The Asakusa area is famous as a traditional Japanese town. So the surrounding of the Otori Shrine worth visiting.
The most famous spot in the area is Senjoji Temple, Azumabashi Bridge, Sumida Park, Imado Shrine, Yoshiwara Shrine, and Matsuchiyama Shoden.
Access:
Nearest Station:
Iriya Station (Hibiya Line-H19)
6 minutes walk from the station
Sensoji Temple to Otori Shrine is only a 10-minute walk.