Asakusa is one of Tokyo's historic downtown areas. There are many sightseeing spots centered around Sensoji Temple, where you can feel the old Edo culture and Japanese culture all in one place, and it is a popular area for foreign visitors. And this is where the Asakusa Samba Carnival, Japan's largest Carnival event, takes place. It gets a lot of attention, particularly on TV, and it will probably pop up in one of your tour books!

Asakusa Samba Carnival started in 1981 as an event intending to revitalize the town. Today, it has become one of Japan's leading events, attracting some 500,000 spectators every year. The popular highlight is the contest-style parade with around 5,000 participants! While riding the rhythm of authentic samba, the gorgeous costumes, and performances of each team charm the audience.

The highlight of the Asakusa Samba Carnival is that it’s not just a parade - it’s a full-fledged contest modeled after the world-famous Rio Carnival. In fact, the official name of the event is the Asakusa Samba Carnival Parade Contest, though many visitors don’t realize it.

The event draws a huge crowd of spectators each year. In its early days, the focus was more on costume competitions than samba dancing, but over time, it has evolved into the authentic samba parade we see today.

In the Asakusa Samba Carnival Parade Contest, samba teams from across Japan are divided into two leagues: the S1 League and the S2 League.

Teams compete for rankings, with a promotion and relegation system in place. The lowest-ranked team in the S1 League is replaced by the highest-ranked team in the S2 League.

Meanwhile, the bottom two teams in the S2 League must reapply the following year, starting from the paperwork screening stage, just like any new team wishing to enter.

Only 20 teams are allowed to participate, making the competition fierce. With many teams spending a full year preparing for the event, the level of dedication and intensity is incredibly high.

The rankings for the Asakusa Samba Carnival Parade Contest are determined by a combination of votes from 10 judges, including individuals connected to Asakusa and Brazil, along with celebrities, as well as mobile and online voting.

Six core criteria are evaluated: expression of the theme, enthusiasm, costumes, performance, dance, and overall impact. In addition, teams in the S1 League are expected to incorporate three specific elements that align with Rio’s Carnival style. Failure to include these results in point deductions.

The scoring system mirrors that of the Rio Carnival. Of the 10 judges’ scores, the top and bottom two are discarded, and the middle six are totaled. Each of the six judging criteria has a maximum of 60 points, making the highest possible score 360. For reference, the 2019 S1 League champion earned an impressive 344 points.

The best place to watch the Asakusa Samba Carnival is along Kaminarimon-dori Street, which runs in front of the iconic Kaminarimon Gate of Sensoji Temple.

The parade begins at the Nitenmon Gate on Umamichi-dori Street, passes the Kaminarimon Gate, and stretches about 800 meters to the end of Kaminarimon-dori.

Wherever you stand along the route, you're sure to feel the energy and excitement of the event.

Two of the most recommended viewing spots are near the starting and ending points. Near the starting point by the judges’ seats, you can witness the teams at their most energized as they kick off their performances.

At the finish line, you'll see dancers giving their all in a grand finale, leaving a lasting impression on the crowd.

On the day of the carnival, expect huge crowds. Be sure to not try to get there too early in the morning. An excellent time to observe the events and see how excited the whole city is is at the Asakusa Samba Carnival's opening.

For 2025, there are ticket sales for chair seats, which come with an original item as a gift, for a sponsorship fee of 8,000 yen. If you want to get close up to the action and have a relaxing time at it, be sure to check it out on the official website.

The Asakusa Samba Carnival is held annually, typically running from 1 PM to 6 PM. Over the course of five hours, the parade unfolds in a set order based on league categories.

Here’s a general breakdown of the schedule:
・1 PM: Communication League (featuring local children and event organizers)
・Followed by: Theme Samba League (with corporate teams and Brazilian dancers)
・Around 1:30 PM: S2 League teams, then S1 League teams

Since the parade lasts for several hours, it’s a good idea to plan ahead, decide which parts you’d like to see most and when to take breaks to stay comfortable.

There are many ways of getting to Asakusa, so access is straightforward. Depending on where you want to see the parade, you can choose between two stations.

First, at Asakusa Station, which is near the starting point of the parade, there are four subway/train lines with access: Toei Asakusa Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tobu Isesaki Line, and the Tsukuba Express. Also, the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Tawaramachi Station near the goal is also convenient.

The whole Asakusa area is filled with the Carnival atmosphere on the day, so you can quickly walk around, follow the crowds, and find your favorite spot.

There are a few points to remember to enjoy this fun festival event. Summer in Japan is hot and humid, and Asakusa Samba Carnival will be held in the scorching summer heat. Be careful about heatstroke. Be sure to buy water or a sports drink in advance and stay hydrated; sunblock and sunglasses are recommended as well.

Cafes, restaurants and convenience stores near the venue are open on the day of the event, and you can purchase drinks at shops along the road; however, they are very crowded, it's best to bring your own drinks.

Also, public toilets are available around the Nakamise Shopping Street, and in the nearby department store. Since there are not many, it is advisable to check where they are located in advance and to refrain from drinking alcohol, which will make you need it more frequently.

Asakusa Samba Carnival is becoming a Japanese summer tradition. It's an event where you can easily enjoy the atmosphere. When going out, be sure to take measures against the heat, don't litter, follow the staff's directions, and enjoy together with everyone else to make this a fun event.