A night at the Darkness Festival (Kurayami Matsuri) - Tokyo, Japan

We raced from the train station with the thoughts that we have probably missed the festival, until we stepped onto the soaring walkway. We were greeted by the rhythmic dum  dum dum of drums not only in our ears but we could feel every percussion through the concrete. We shared a glance and both smiled, they are still here! 

The darkness festival or Kurayami Matsuri happens during Golden week in Tokyo at Okunitama-jinja every year for the last almost 1000 years, which people carry around mini shrines in the dark. 

As we rushed towards the sounds we finally saw the massive drums slowly rolling through the streets with several people standing on top of them with lanterns and people below hitting them. I felt transported back in time and yet I stood watching in between the skyscapers. The closer we got the more we were shock to the bones by the music and drums. 

Along with the humongous drums rolled through the streets around the shrine is the progression of the mini shrines (Mikoshi). Mini golden shrines are carried by 40 -50 people to a rymthym set by the coordinators shouts and music. 

We saw 4 mini shrines but you could hear the shouts and music from several others in the area.  The amount of people was insane it was so packed I started feeling a little clostphobic.  We moved away from the crowds and found a group of people taking a short rest with one of the shrines so we slowed down and picked a good spot to take photos. Once they picked up the shrine I had a first class seat to watch their processional through the street.         

After taking more photos than I could count, we decided to try and get to the actual main shrine and check it out. I think it took us almost half and hour to get there and we ended walking through all these tiny back streets to avoid the crowd.  I really wanted to play some of the festival games but it was just too busy! I did end up getting a really cute fox mask there though! 

Would you go to Kurayami Matsuri?

Beginning at the end of April and continuing through early May, its definitely worth a visit. 

くらやみ祭 Official website HERE

Okunitama-jinja Shrine

⚐ 3-1 Miyamachi, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo

Getting there: 

Fuchu Station｜5 min on foot
Keio Line

Fuchuhommachi Station｜5 min on foot
JR Nambu Line、JR Musashino Line