A winter festival at Sengakuji Temple, honoring the Gishi and showcasing a procession and temple treasures
Gishi Festival (Minato City, Tokyo)
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/12/12 〜 2026/12/14Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Every year in December and April / Twice a year
- Location
- Sengakuji Temple
- Area
- Tokyo Metropolis・Minato City(Within Tokyo: approx. 15 min–1 h by train (central areas))Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This traditional event at Sengakuji Temple, associated with the Ako Gishi, includes memorial services and incense offering at the graves, as well as a Gishi procession. In winter 2026, it will run from December 12 through the 14th.
About Gishi Festival (Minato City, Tokyo)
The Gishi Festival honors the loyalty and bushido spirit of the Ako Gishi and commemorates those resting at Sengakuji Temple.
Sengakuji Temple is home to the graves of the Ako Ronin and the couple Asano Naganori and his wife. Memorial sutra chanting, incense offering, and a tea-offering ceremony are held at the graves.
It continues as an annual event, with a winter festival held around the date of the raid as well as a spring event.
Source: 催し｜曹洞宗 江戸三ヶ寺 萬松山 泉岳寺 / 義士祭 (東京都港区) - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
Highlights include memorial services at the graves at Sengakuji Temple and the Gishi procession, in which people dressed for the raid parade through the streets.
The procession features a war drum and is described as making its way from the former residence of Kira Kozukenosuke to Sengakuji Temple.
A tea-offering ceremony is also held on the , and visitors are advised that temple treasures will be on display from the afternoon during the winter festival.
Source: 義士祭 / 東京都 -【JAPAN 47 GO】
A winter festival at Sengakuji Temple, honoring the Gishi and showcasing a procession and temple treasures
What to expect
Visitors can attend memorial sutra chanting at the graves at Sengakuji Temple and offer incense at the Gishi graves.
A tea-offering ceremony is held, and time is set aside to view the temple treasures on the grounds.
The Gishi procession is scheduled to arrive at Sengakuji Temple on December 14, so you can see both the memorial service and the procession.
Source: 曹洞宗 江戸三ヶ寺 萬松山 泉岳寺
How to take part
General visitors can offer incense and watch the festival at Sengakuji Temple.
Since the Gishi Festival is a memorial observance, please follow the temple’s guidance and staff instructions and pay your respects quietly when attending the procession or memorial service.
No information is provided about recruiting participants to take part as members of the procession or about competitions for general visitors.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Sengakuji Temple (2-11-1 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo).
Source: 中央義士会
Address 2-11-1 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo
Dates and season
The 2026 winter Gishi Festival will be held at Sengakuji Temple for 3 days, from December 12 through the 14th.
The festival is scheduled around December 14, the date of the raid. It is held twice a year, in December and April.
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Tips for your visit
Around December 14, the area around Sengakuji Temple and the route from Sengakuji Station to the temple can be crowded, so it is recommended that you allow plenty of time for your visit.
As memorial observances and incense offerings take place at graves in the temple grounds, please dress and behave appropriately for a place of worship.
Please follow the information provided on the day for the times of the procession and the temple treasure exhibition.
Nearby attractions
The area around Sengakuji Temple has places of interest connected with the Ako Gishi and Takanawa's history.
The graves of the Ako Gishi, the graves of Asano Naganori and the Ako Gishi, and the remains of Takanawa Okido Gate are among the nearby attractions highlighted.
If visiting as part of the festival, check the information provided at each temple and historic site and explore the area's history.
国立新美術館
東京・六本木にある美術館
東京タワー
東京都港区にある電波塔
芝公園
東京都港区の公園
写真：Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France / CC BY 2.0
Photo source ·
青山霊園
東京都の霊園
Origins and History of Gishi Festival (Minato City, Tokyo)
The Gishi Festival has been held since 1950. After the main hall, which had been destroyed in wartime, was rebuilt, the festival was held as part of its completion ceremony.
Since 1972, the Kira Festival has also been held at the same time, with memorial services for Kira Yoshihisa as well as the Ako Gishi.
The Gishi procession is also said to have a history of about 60 years, with its organizers and procession style changing over time.
Official information
Sengakuji Temple's official website provides the dates and details of the Ako Gishi Festival.
The 2026 winter Gishi Festival will run from December 12 through the 14th.
Gishi Festival (Minato City, Tokyo) at a Glance
The Gishi Festival is an annual event at Sengakuji Temple honoring the Ako Gishi.
Highlights include memorial sutra chanting and incense offering at the graves, a tea-offering ceremony, a procession of participants in raid attire, and displays of temple treasures.
In winter 2026, the festival will run from December 12 through the 14th. Crowds are especially expected on December 14, so allow plenty of time for your visit.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/10/19
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