Written by Adriana Paradiso
Every year during Golden Week, a Spring Grand Festival is held at Meiji Shrine (the biggest and most important shrine in Tokyo).
What happens?
The festival takes place on May 2 and 3 each year and features an impressive lineup of traditional performing arts presentations — led by masters in the field. The festival will set up a stage in front of the main shrine.
Schedule
The dates and performances are usually the same from year to year.
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The 2025 schedule is confirmed and the ceremonies/performances include:
- April 29 (11:00): Bugaku (ancient imperial court music)
- May 2 (11:45): Noh and kyogen (classical Japanese theater)
- May 2 (15:45): Hogaku and hobu (classical Japanese dance)
- May 3 (9:00): Kyūdō (Japanese archery) at the Kyudo Hall
- May 3 (12:00): Sankyoku (traditional Japanese music)
- May 3 (14:30): Satsuma biwa (Japanese lute)
Early
May
2026
明治神宮春の大祭
Free
Official site
⚠️ Link in Japanese
- 0.6 km from Harajuku Station Yamanote Line (JY19)
- 0.7 km from Sangūbashi Station Odakyu Odawara Line (OH3)
- 0.7 km from Kitasandō Station Fukutoshin Line (C14)
