Published October 20, 2026 at 7:25 PM JST

Each November on rooster days, Otori Shrine in Asakusa fills with stalls selling decorated bamboo rakes, and cheerful rounds of clapping ring out whenever a buyer picks a lucky charm.

Quick answer: Tori no Ichi is a fair held at Otori Shrine in Asakusa, Tokyo, usually on the rooster days of November, when people buy decorated bamboo rakes called kumade to wish for good business and good fortune in the coming year. Organizers and the calendar set the exact days each year, and some years have two rooster days while others have three. The fair is known for its lively stalls and the rhythmic hand-clapping that seals each purchase.

What Tori no Ichi is

Tori no Ichi, often translated as the Rooster Fair or Day of the Rooster market, is a traditional November event in the Kanto region. In Asakusa it centers on Otori Shrine in Senzoku, Taito Ward, a short walk from the famous temple district. For a few days each autumn, the quiet shrine grounds and the streets around them turn into a bright, bustling market.

The star of the fair is the kumade, a decorative rake made of bamboo. Its purpose is to rake things in. Sellers decorate each one with lucky motifs, and shoppers choose one to bring home as a charm. The idea is simple and joyful: a rake that sweeps in good luck, success and happiness for the year ahead.

The fair is held on the days of the rooster in the traditional Japanese calendar, which repeat every twelve days. A Japanese reference source explains that the first rooster day in November is called Ichi no Tori, the second Ni no Tori, and, in some years, a third rooster day is called San no Tori. The same source adds that visiting on any of these days is considered to bring the same blessings.

The history behind the fair

According to Japanese reference sources, the fair is held as a festival of Otori shrines, and the deity enshrined at these shrines is Yamato Takeru. Warriors once prayed to this deity for success in battle. Over time the word tori, which sounds like the verb for taking in or gathering, became popular among merchants, who saw the rooster day as a chance to ask for a prosperous business.

One English-language travel article says the market in Asakusa dates back to 1630 and began at Chokokuji temple, which stands next to the shrine, and that it is said to have continued every year through difficult times. Another source says the tradition is believed to have started at an Otori shrine in Hanahata, Adachi Ward, and became very famous in Asakusa in the later Edo period because of its location near Sensoji and the lively districts around it. Because sources describe the early history in slightly different ways, it is best to treat the exact origins as a matter of local tradition.

The same travel article mentions a late seventeenth century poet named Kikaku, who wrote a verse suggesting that the Tori no Ichi was the first great event that welcomed the new year. That poetic link shows how the fair has long been associated with looking ahead and starting the year with hope.

The kumade and its lucky decorations

Kumade are the heart of the market. They range from small ones that fit in a hand to large ones almost the size of a person. Decorations include lucky symbols such as gold coins, sea bream, the beckoning cat, the Seven Lucky Gods, daruma dolls, cheerful okame faces, rice bales, pine and braided ropes. Each ornament is a wish wrapped up in a bright color.

Japanese sources explain that the rake began as a farm tool for gathering leaves and grain, and that the idea of raking in good fortune turned it into a charm for shops and homes. Small family workshops make kumade ahead of the season, and a travel article says they work on them through the year for this special occasion.

A custom that many visitors enjoy is to buy a slightly larger kumade each year. The idea is that your fortune will grow over time, so you thank the old rake and take a bigger one home. A traveler's guide to the fair adds that used rakes are returned to the shrine at the end of the year, where they are handled by the staff, and you can then choose a new one in the next season.

Prices vary widely, from small and simple charms to large ornate ones, so there is something for every shopper. Visitors often enjoy simply browsing the displays, even if they do not plan to buy anything. The craftsmanship and color make the stalls a feast for the eyes.

The sound of tejime clapping

One of the best-loved moments at the fair is the hand-clapping ritual called tejime. When a shopper agrees on a price and buys a kumade, the seller and others nearby gather to clap together in a set rhythm. A travel guide describes the rhythm as three claps, three claps, three claps and one, a pattern known as sanbon-jime in the Edo tradition. It is meant to mark a deal and to share good luck around.

A Japanese video feature on the fair describes the shout and clap combination as an energetic send-off wishing the buyer's family safety and business prosperity. The sellers call out lively phrases, and the buyer joins in with the clapping. Even if you are only watching, the mood is cheerful and welcoming.

If you want to try it yourself, it is polite to follow the seller's lead. The stall staff will usually guide you on when to clap, and the moment is usually quick and friendly. It is a lovely way to take part in a custom that is hundreds of years old.

What the days and nights look like

Because the fair is tied to rooster days, the dates change every year. A reference source says there are two or three rooster days in November, and in 2025 the first two fell on November 12 and November 24, according to a Japanese travel site. Each year, check the shrine and local event pages for the schedule.

Reports describe the fair as beginning very early, with a first drum beat at midnight, and then continuing through the day and evening. Many people visit in the evening, when lanterns and stalls glow. Another travel article notes that in the evening the line to pray at the shrine can extend past the entrance gate, so allow extra time.

Many visitors pray at the shrine first, offering thanks for the past year and asking for good fortune in the next one. After that, they browse the stalls and choose their kumade. Some people simply come for the atmosphere and the food, which makes the fair a pleasant outing for friends and families.

Getting there and enjoying the fair

Otori Shrine is at 3-18-7 Senzoku, Taito Ward, Tokyo. Travel guides say it is about a 7 to 10 minute walk from Iriya Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, and about 8 to 15 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station, depending on the route and the crowd. Check a map before you set out, since the streets can be busy.

Expect crowds, especially in the evening and on weekends. Move at the pace of the people around you, keep bags close and follow the staff directions. If you plan to buy a rake, think about how you will carry it, because larger ones can be tall and wide. Kind, patient manners help everyone enjoy the fair.

Food stalls and nearby side streets offer fair favorites such as grilled skewers, savory pancakes and candied apples, according to a travel article, and some places have tables and chairs for a short rest. After browsing, many visitors explore the nearby Asakusa area, which has plenty of sightseeing spots.

Other Tori no Ichi in Tokyo and nearby

Tori no Ichi is not limited to Asakusa. Japanese sources note that the fair is held at other Otori shrines in the Kanto region, including Otori shrines in Adachi Ward and Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku, which also draws many visitors. The Asakusa fair is often described as the most famous of them all, and one Japanese video feature calls it the largest in scale, with kumade shops and street stalls spilling beyond the shrine grounds.

If you enjoy lively shrine events, consider pairing the fair with another celebration. For example, the Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa offers a very different, big spring festival experience, and the Toka Ebisu festival in Osaka also centers on lucky charms and business luck.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Tori no Ichi held in Asakusa?

It is usually held on the rooster days of November, which are counted every twelve days. Some years have two rooster days and others have three. In 2025, a Japanese travel site listed November 12 and November 24, and you can confirm the current year's days with the shrine or a local event calendar.

What is a kumade?

A kumade is a decorated bamboo rake sold at the fair as a lucky charm. The rake symbolizes raking in good fortune and business success, and it is decorated with items such as gold coins, sea bream, lucky cats and okame faces. Many people buy a slightly larger one each year.

What happens when someone buys a kumade?

After the price is agreed, the seller and people nearby perform a rhythmic hand-clapping called tejime to celebrate the purchase and wish the buyer good luck. It is a friendly custom that is worth watching, and buyers are welcome to join in.

Further reading: the Japan Today feature on the Asakusa Tori no Ichi, the GLT Japan guide to the Tori no Ichi at Otori Shrine and the Imidas entry on the Tori no Ichi fair.

Keep exploring: Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa: Three Days of Mikoshi, Music and Joy; Toka Ebisu at Imamiya: Osaka's Lucky Bamboo Branches and New Year Fortune; Asakusa Samba Carnival: Rio-Style Rhythm Beside Sensoji Temple; Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri: Tokyo's Joyful Splash-Along Mikoshi Festival.