SHOTLIST:

TOKYO, JAPAN (NOVEMBER 12, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF CROWDS GATHERING AT HANAZONO SHRINE IN SHINJUKU FOR TORI NO ICHI FESTIVAL

2. VARIOUS OF FESTIVAL SCENES INCLUDING RITUALS, VENDORS, AND BUSTLING CROWDS
TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 12, 2025: Tokyo marked the arrival of winter this week with the lively and time-honored Tori no Ichi festivals, celebrated annually at shrines and temples across the capital. The event, which dates back to the late Edo period, is held on the Days of the Rooster according to the Chinese zodiac calendar.

This year, the festivals are taking place on November 12 and November 24, drawing thousands of visitors seeking good fortune, prosperity, and business success in the year ahead.

One of the largest and most iconic celebrations is held at Hanazono Shrine in central Shinjuku. The shrine grounds come alive with nearly 950 illuminated LED lanterns, towering above the walkways and casting a festive glow over the crowds.

Dozens of artisans sell traditional kumade, elaborately decorated bamboo rakes believed to “rake in” good luck and financial success. Vendors perform rhythmic tejime hand-clapping ceremonies to wish customers prosperity as they complete their purchases.

The main festivities run from noon to midnight, with pre-festivals held the evening before, offering an early taste of the celebrations.

Another major center of the festivities is Okunitama Shrine in western Tokyo, home to one of the three most significant Tori no Ichi gatherings in the region. Worshippers flock to the Otori Shrine, located within the complex, to purchase kumade, offer prayers, and take part in traditional rituals for good fortune.

From dawn until nightfall (6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), the shrine grounds fill with families, business owners, and visitors from across Japan, immersing themselves in a tradition that blends spiritual devotion with a festive winter atmosphere.

Tori no Ichi is widely regarded as the opening event of Tokyo’s winter season. Beyond its religious significance, it has become a cultural symbol of community renewal, entrepreneurial ambition, and the hope for prosperity in the coming year.

Many visitors return each year to buy a larger kumade than the one before, symbolizing their wish for continued growth and success.