Sensoji Hagoita-ichi (Battledore Fair) 2026 Confirmed
浅草寺 羽子板市 — Tokyo (Kanto)
Last updated: Sat, September 26, 2026
✓ No booking needed
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- Dates
- Thu, Dec 17 – Sat, Dec 19, 2026
- Venue
- Sensoji Temple, Asakusa (浅草寺 境内)
- Tickets
- Free to walk around; the battledores are for sale at a range of prices.
- Official site
- www.senso-ji.jp
Every December 17–19, the grounds of Sensoji in Asakusa fill with stalls selling hagoita — ornate battledores decorated with padded kabuki actors, celebrities and characters, bought as New Year good-luck charms. It is Tokyo's classic year-end market and a good first taste of Japanese New Year before the holiday itself.
Background
The fair is held around December 18, the last temple day of the year for Kannon at Sensoji (Osame no Kannon). Hagoita were traditionally given to wish a daughter a healthy year, and the decorated ones are now bought as New Year decorations.
Getting there
Sensoji is a short walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Toei Asakusa Line and the Tobu Skytree Line.
Tips
- The dates are fixed: December 17, 18 and 19 every year.
- Stall-holders sometimes clap a hand-clapping rhythm (tejime) when a large battledore sells — part of the fun of watching.
- Combine it with the rest of Asakusa's year-end preparations; the temple's New Year services start on December 31.
Maintained by Tetsu Yamamoto · Last verified against the official source: Sat, September 26, 2026