Tori-no-Ichi dates back to the Edo era and originates from a fair held in the suburbs of Edo, where Ohtori Shrine now stands.

It is a traditional festival held in November on Tori (Rooster) Days (based on the Chinese zodiac) across the Kanto region, including Asakusa’s famous Otori Temple.

The festival is dedicated to praying for good luck and business prosperity, with roots dating back to the Edo period. The first Tori Day, "Ichi no Tori," is the most important, but there can be up to three Tori Days, with each spaced 12 days apart. When there's a third day, "San no Tori," it's traditionally seen as a time of heightened fire risk.

Tori-no-Ichi literally means "the rooster's market." In its original form, it was a harvest festival where farmers thanked the deity Otori Daimyojin. They would offer roosters, which were later released at Asakusa Temple in front of the Kannon Hall.

As the event evolved throughout the years, many came to wish for good health, good fortune, and good business. One of the things that makes Tori-no-Ichi so special, are the Kumade (bamboo rakes), which are elegantly decorated and are said to bring happiness and prosperity.

In 2024, Tori-no-Ichi will be held on November 5, 17, and 29. It all starts with the Ichiban Taiko, or the first drum at midnight of the first day of the rooster (Tori-no-Hi) in November. These dates are the same for all locations participating in the Tori-no-Ichi festival.

The fair lasts for 24 consecutive hours, with many shops, street food vendors, and more congregating around Ohtori shrine. Depending on the year, it isn’t unheard of to celebrate the fair up to 3 times within the month, being called Ni no Tori and San no Tori respectively.

For Japanese people, this is a seasonal tradition that reminds all that the New Year is approaching. Expressing their excitement to welcome the New Year and their gratitude to their customers and friends, many say “Have a happy new year!” instead of “goodbye” or “see you later” at the festival.

Rakes were used to figuratively “rake” in your luck, gold and silver, and fortune for your business. Though originally paired with only an ear of rice, the rakes’ designs have significantly expanded to thousands of varieties for the Tori-no-Ichi Fair alone.

In the Edo era, they added masks of Okame, which were known to bring good luck. Later on, more intricate designs were added, such as: treasures, Japanese fans, portable shrines, animals, and more! These days, you can even find some decorated with cats, dogs, pandas, and even a huge cat paw!

So, as I was wading through the hundreds of people, I was stunned at the huge selection of rakes that were available at the over 100 shops! Luckily, I was accompanied by a friend that was born and raised in the Asakusa area. Apparently, there is a specific way to purchase the rakes that involve a tradition that has been passed down throughout the years.

It all starts with negotiation, or haggling. Say if you want to buy a 50,000 yen rake, you ask the shop owner to make it 40,000 yen. Then a light-hearted and amusing conversation will take place, going back and forth with the shop owner like so:

“No way! That’s a steal, how about 48,000 yen?”
“Hmmm, still too expensive. How about 42,000 yen?”
“Sorry, 47,000 yen is all we can do.”
“How about 45,000 yen, final offer!”
“Ok, Ok! 45,000 yen it is.”

Now that you’ve haggled the price down, the tradition states that you hand the staff the original amount, 50,000 yen in this example, and as the staff gives you your change, you refuse and give the change back to them saying “This is a gift for you.”

If you followed the steps above, you will be treated to a unique display of thanks that you’ll be hearing all night long. As a sign of appreciation, the entire shop’s staff will clap their hands rhythmically to show their appreciation and to bless you with good health, luck, and business.

These lively shouts are what makes the fair feel alive and they are impossible to miss! Throughout the time I was there, I must have heard over 100 shouts going on simultaneously for 3 hours. It really helps bring a smile to your face to see so many locals carrying out traditions that began so long ago.

With so many people shouting and clapping, I couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement of the fair as well.

I managed to find a cute cat rake that I was eyeing since I arrived and managed to “haggle” down the price, participating in the old tradition. I gave back my change to the shop owner and was immediately greeted by 5~6 people all clapping and cheering for me.

It was a surreal experience, and even though it was 2:00 a.m. in the morning, I was fully awake and surrounded by a lively atmosphere of shop owners and customers alike. I left the fair soon after with a smile on my face, looking forward to coming back next year and experience it all over again.

Although the first fair of the month is the most important, it is always held a second time in the month of November (sometimes even a third!), so even if you miss the first one, you can always check out the second one!

I hope you get to experience this fair for yourself, it’s definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss! Thanks for coming along with me on my report of the Tori-no-Ichi fair and until next time “Happy New Year!”

Every November, Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku hosts its vibrant Tori-no-Ichi Festival, where locals, including many from the nearby Kabukicho nightlife district, gather to pray for success and good fortune. This lively event is one of the top three Tori-no-Ichi festivals in the Kanto region, along with those at Asakusa's Otori Shrine and Fuchu's Okunitama Shrine.

On festival days, the shrine is beautifully lit with lanterns, and the grounds are filled with vendors selling kumade, decorative rakes believed to bring good luck for the year ahead.

Located just a short walk from Kabukicho, the festival has a fun and festive atmosphere, drawing visitors from all over Tokyo. You’ll find people dressed in their finest, coming to offer prayers and enjoy the lively scene. The streets around the shrine are lined with food stalls, adding to the street-festival vibe—perfect for grabbing a bite as you explore the event.

Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu, which is believed to have a history spanning over 1,900 years, hosts one of the top three Tori-no-Ichi festivals in the Kanto region, along with Asakusa's Otori Shrine and Shinjuku's Hanazono Shrine.

During the festival, around 100 vendor stalls fill the shrine grounds, offering kumade (decorative rakes) adorned with lucky charms like Okame masks, rice bales, beckoning cats, and treasure chests. Visitors can also receive a special kumade-shaped charm, Shinpu Kumade, starting around 6:30 AM, which is believed to bring various blessings. The festival attracts large crowds, all hoping to secure good fortune for the coming year.