Setagaya Hachimangu Autumn Festival

The Setagaya Hachimangu Autumn Festival is a lively celebration held at one of Setagaya Ward’s most prominent shrines. The event is particularly famous for its traditional dohyo (sumo ring) and the thrilling honosumo (dedicatory sumo) matches. During the Edo period, this shrine hosted one of the city’s three great dedicatory sumo tournaments, alongside Shibuya’s Hikawa Shrine and Shinagawa’s Oi Kashima Shrine. Today, that legacy continues as athletes from the Tokyo University of Agriculture’s sumo club showcase their power and technique in the ring.

The sumo matches begin at 2:00 PM on Saturday. On Sunday from midday, the energy shifts as energetic mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets. Numerous stalls surround the shrine, offering classic festival food and drinks.