Hagoita-ichi Fair

This year-end fair is held every year on December 17, 18, and 19 at Sensoji and the surrounding area. The market is famous for the sale of hagoita, which are rectangular wooden boards used to play hanetsuki. This traditional Japanese game involves either one person keeping a shuttlecock in the air for as long as possible with a paddle (hagoita) or two people hitting the shuttlecock back and forth between themselves, similar to badminton. Many of the hagoita for sale at the fair, however, are elaborately decorated with Kabuki stars and celebrities and are meant to be used as ornamental lucky charms to ward off evil for the coming year.

The fair is most crowded during the evening hours, so a mid-afternoon visit is advisable for those wishing to examine the intricate craftsmanship of the paddles up close. A notable highlight of the event is the annual “Hagoita of the Year” display, which features three-dimensional portraits of prominent public figures from the past twelve months. Most independent stalls operate on a cash-only basis, and while the fair is centered in front of the temple’s main hall, vendors extend throughout the adjacent shopping streets. Arriving via public transit is recommended, as the district becomes exceptionally busy with year-end shoppers and tourists.