Nestled near the Sumidagawa River, Sensoji Temple boasts a vibrant market filled with traditional treats and an annual baby-crying festival that’s delightfully quirky.
2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan Get directions
"Usually getting a baby to stop crying is the hard part of any parents’ day, but during the Nai Sumo Baby Crying Festival the goal is to get the wee babes to start and keep crying to get rid of demons. The traditional festival takes place at the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo every year in April, pairing up tiny little babies with a sumo wrestler who will then try to get the little guy to cry. The origins of the bizarre practice date back hundreds years to a simple proverb that states, “Naku ko wa sodatsu,” or “Crying babies grow fat.” The other reason behind the festival, is the belief that somehow the piercing wails work to drive off nearby demons that would otherwise bring you to harm. While neither of these claims are proven to work, that hasn’t stopped people from making their children cry in public. During the ceremonies, sumo wrestlers take the stage and hold up the participating babies (their parents actually brought them to this), and try to get them to start bellowing. Among the techniques used to make the babies unhappy include putting on a scary mask to freak them out and the old stand by of just yelling, “CRY! CRY! CRY!” into their little faces. But it’s all worth it, because if they are the best cryer, they are ensured a long, healthy life. For all the seeming cruelty of the event, it actually has a fun, jokey air as the adults seem to realize that intentionally getting kids to cry is a little goofy. The kids don’t seem to be in on the joke." - ATLAS_OBSCURA
"In this historic district not far from the Sumidagawa River, the Sensoji temple has a past that can be traced back 1,300 years. The gate with the large red lantern, Kaminarimon, is the starting point to the colorful pedestrian open-air market Nakamise Dori. Vendors tempt visitors with the aroma of fresh-grilled traditional wagashi sweets packed with sweet azuki bean paste, sembei rice crackers roasted over charcoal, and souvenirs like fans and kimonos. For artisanal crafts and gifts, head down the street to the Marugoto Nippon complex. The area is filled with traditional eateries, in particular ones serving tempura, soba, and unagi . If visiting in spring, be sure to walk along the river, whose banks are lined with blooming sakura cherry trees."
