Asakusa Samba Carnival
Tokyo's biggest samba parade fills Asakusa with feathered dancers and thundering bateria as competing teams vie for the championship along Umamichi Street.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/08/29 04:00 – 2026/08/29
- Where
- Umamichi Street to Kaminarimon Street, Asakusa（Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Umamichi-dori / Kaminarimon-dori)）
- City
- Tokyo
- Getting there
- Short walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza / Toei Asakusa / Tobu / Tsukuba Express lines).
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Asakusa Samba Carnival Executive Committee
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Short walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza / Toei Asakusa / Tobu / Tsukuba Express lines). Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, music fans, groups of friends
Highlights
- Costumed samba teams competing for the title
- Live bateria percussion sections
- 41st edition parade contest
Background & story
Launched in 1981 to revitalize the Asakusa district, it has grown into Japan's largest samba carnival, judged as a competition between Rio-style escola teams.
Good to know
The route along Umamichi Street fills fast; arrive well before the 13:00 start for a front-row view.