Asakusa Tori No Ichi Fair 2024 in Tokyo

Tori No Ichi, or the “Festival of the Rooster,” marks the beginning of winter in Japan and is celebrated to give thanks for the past year and to pray for happiness in the year to come. The festival takes place on the Days of the Rooster, which occur every 12 days in November, so the number of festive days varies each year, with either two or three. The main highlight of the festival is the open-air fairs, where people gather to wish for good luck and prosperity in business.

Traditional Celebrations

The Tori No Ichi festival runs from midnight to midnight, with kumade (rakes decorated with gold and silver) sold by lively vendors within the shrine and temple compound. Visitors can make their wishes for good luck while soaking in the atmosphere of Tokyo’s old downtown during this late fall/early winter event. One of the most exciting aspects of the festival is the clapping ritual performed by sellers each time a kumade is sold. This ritual not only shows appreciation but also offers an additional blessing for the buyer. The best time to visit is at night when lanterns illuminate the venue, creating a magical glow and enhancing the lively ambiance. Admission is free, and there's no need to purchase a kumade or other charms to enjoy the festival.

Schedule of Events

The Tori No Ichi festival at Ōtori Shrine and Chōkokuji Temple kicks off with taiko drumming at midnight on November 4. A ritual will be held on November 4 at 11:15 p.m. and again on November 5 at 1 p.m., though registration is required to attend these ceremonies. Other activities, such as exploring the market, don't require reservations. The same festivities will also take place on the nights of November 16-17 and November 28-29.

History of Asakusa Tori No Ichi Fair

According to one account, Tori no Ichi began as a harvest festival where grateful farmers offered chickens to Otori-sama and then released them at Senso-ji Temple. Another legend suggests that the tradition started when Emperor Yamato Takeru, a Japanese folk hero, stopped by Asakusa's Otori-jinja Shrine to hang a rake—a symbolic representation of his weapon—in thanks for a victorious expedition. His visit happened to fall on a rooster day, thus establishing the Tori no Ichi tradition. This festival has been celebrated in Tokyo since the Edo era, originally founded at Asakusa's Otori Shrine and the nearby Juzaisan Chokokuji Temple. Today, it is held at rooster-related shrines throughout the city.