Tokyo & Vicinity LOCAL EVENTS

Darkness Festival - Kurayami Matsuri Festival
May 5 (Apr.30 - May 6) 2024

A traditional festival held at Ookunitamajinja Shrine in Fuchu, in the west Tokyo. Has a history of over 1000 years, nearly 700 thousand people come to this festival every year. The highlight is the parade of Mikoshi (portable shrines) carrying and the drumming ceremony.

Kurayami Matsuri Festival (Festival in darkness)
くらやみ祭：大國魂神社

April 30(Sun) (*May 3rd(Fri)) - 6th(Mon)  2024 
Location: Fuchu City, Tokyo

This festival is a series of ceremonies held between April 30 and May 6. The first period (Apri.30-May2) is for solemn ceremonies. The festival highlight is on May 5, the Mikoshi parade on the streets. The festival also includes the following events.

On 3rd May
Float Parade from18:00 to 20:00
Horse riding in traditional Samurai costume from 20:00

On 4th May
Mando lantern performance from 12:30 PM to 14:00
Drumming Ceremony from 17:00 to 18:00PM
Float Parade from 18:00PM to 21:00PM(9:00PM)

On 5th May
Drumming Ceremony from 14:30 to 15:00PM
Mikoshi Parade from 18:00 *The highlight of this festival

On 6th May
Mikoshi Parade (Closing ceremony) from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM in the morning

To find more detailed information, see the official website.

Ookunitamajinja Shrine
https://www.ookunitamajinja.or.jp/

Getting there
From Shinjuku Station take the Keio-sen Train (Junkyu Semi-express. 24 min) and get off at Fuchu Station. A 5 min walk from Fuchu Station to Ookunitamajinja Shrine.

Google Maps: Ookunitamajinja https://goo.gl/maps/2bgeSxuBcNU2