Fukagawa Mizukake Matsuri

Cooling Down Tradition in the Heart of Tokyo

In the sweltering heat of Tokyo’s mid-August, the Fukagawa Matsuri offers a refreshing and vibrant reprieve, blending ancient tradition with the exhilarating coolness of cascading water. As one of Tokyo’s three great Shinto festivals, the Fukagawa Matsuri stands out not only for its historical significance but also for its unique and joyous water-throwing ritual, the “Mizukake Matsuri,” which brings the city to life under the summer sun.

As soon as you get out from the station you are faced with a surreal situation: water everywhere, the sound of taiko drums, shouted chants, flooded street and wet people everywhere.

Armed with buckets, hoses, and even fire trucks, people of all ages and firefighters enthusiastically drench the participants, cooling them down and adding an element of playful interaction to the procession. This act is not only a practical relief from the oppressive heat but also carries a symbolic meaning, representing purification and spiritual renewal.

The water-splashing turns the festival into a communal celebration where the lines between participant and spectator blur. Everyone becomes part of the festival’s heartbeat and don’t think you can avoid going home wet.

It’s always fascinating how, in a megalopolis like Tokyo, you can close off part of the city to give residents a chance to create and maintain relationships as they do in small villages, even if only for a day.

If you ever visit this festival, be prepared with a towel, at least a change of t-shirt for when you go home, and if you plan to take photos—even with a WR camera—bring a rain cover. The amount of water is unimaginable.