January to April
January / Hatsumoude
first shrine or temple visit of the New Year in Japan, it is traditional for many people to visit temples and shrines at the beginning of the year, from January 1st throught 7th. It is called Hatsumoude and it involves praying for one's family's safety and good health throughtout the year.
On the New Year's Day, Sensouji Temple is very crowded, and at midnight on New Year's Eve, as soon as the Joya-no-kane(New Year's Eve Bell) starts to ring, the temple doors open for prayer.
February / Setsu-bun
Bean Scattering Ceremony.
March / Kinryu no mai
Golden Dragon Dance
March / Sensouji Temple Honzon Jigen-e
Rising and Resting Ceremony
March 18th is when Sensouji temples's principal statue, the Kannon(Seikanze Onbosatsu) was caught in a fishing net in the Sumida River.
It is considered the birthday of Sensouji Temple.
On that day, Sensouji Temple holds the Honzon Jigen-e ceremony as the main memorial service.
During the service, three portable shrines, or mikoshi are carried back down to the shrine.
It's called "Odo-age(Rising) and Odo-sage(resting)".
Celebration of this event was resumed in 2000 and attracts many people.
April / Yabu-same
