Kawasaki’s Biggest Summer Festival Is Back: Right Near slash kawasaki
Kawasaki’s Most Exciting Summer Festival Is Coming to Town
When you think of Kawasaki, Kawasaki Daishi is probably the first thing that comes to mind and for good reason.
But beyond that famous temple, the area around Kawasaki Station is also home to a shrine with deep roots in the local community, cherished by residents for generations.
That shrine is Inage Jinja, located just a 7-minute walk from slash kawasaki, and it’s about to become the heart of one of the most exciting events of the year.
Starting June 14 (Sun), 2026, Inage Jinja will host the Kawasaki Sanno Festival, a beloved summer tradition that has defined the season for people across the city.
While the festival is usually held in August, this year it moves to June, meaning you can soak up all the festive energy in much more comfortable weather.
Kawasaki Sanno Festival Overview
- Dates: Sunday, June 14 – Sunday, June 21, 2026
- Venue: Kawasaki Sanno-sha Inage Jinja
Kawasaki Sanno-sha Inage Jinja Official Website
What to Look Forward To
Dating back to the Edo period, the Kawasaki Sanno Festival was once nicknamed the “Gion of the East”, a high honor that speaks to how grand and well-known it was along the old Tokaido highway.
When festival week arrives, the area around Kawasaki Station transforms into the liveliest it gets all year.
The grand finale on the last day is the Shinkosai procession, where two enormous mikoshi named “Kujaku” (Peacock) and “Tama” (Jewel) are carried through the streets over the course of an entire day.
What makes this procession even more special is the mythological story woven into the route itself — a sacred tale of a divine marriage, a pregnancy, and the birth of a child deity. Once you know the story behind it, watching the mikoshi move through the streets takes on a whole new meaning.
Grab a pack of yakisoba and wander through the stalls — it’s everything a Japanese summer festival should be.
Since it’s just a short walk from slash kawasaki, it’s also the perfect excuse for an evening stroll. Head out after dinner, cool off in the night breeze, and let the festival atmosphere do the rest.
Why not make slash kawasaki your base this summer, and experience the tradition and energy of Kawasaki’s most iconic festival for yourself?
Schedule
Here’s the full lineup for the Kawasaki Sanno Festival:
| June 14 (Sun) | 18:00～ Yoimiya-sai (Eve of the Festival) |
| June 15 (Mon) | 10:00～ Sanno Festival Opening Ceremony 14:00～ Koshiki Miyaza-shiki (Ancient Ritual Ceremony) |
| June 19 (Fri) | 19:00～21:00 Dedicated Performance (Ujiko Yushi) All day Food Stalls on Shrine Grounds |
| June 20 (Sat) | 12:45～15:10 Town Mikoshi Combined Procession 13:00～17:00 Jindai Kagura (Mamiya-sha Troupe) 17:30～18:30 Dedicated Taiko Drumming (Wadaiko “Hayate”) 19:00～21:00 Dedicated Performance (Ujiko Yushi) All day Food Stalls on Shrine Grounds |
| June 21 (Sun) | 6:30～20:00 Shinkosai — Grand Mikoshi Procession 17:10～20:00 Parade: “Sanno Festival” |
Getting There from slash kawasaki
slash kawasaki → 7-minute walk
