Hozuki Market in Asakusa

Hozuki market is one of many festivals held in Asakusa. It is held in July 9 and 10 every year. Hozuki or chinese lantern is a plant with its fruit covered by red papery skin. As the English name suggests, hozuki is sometimes recognized as the substitute of lantern. Some Buddhists decorate their altar with hozuki. It is easy to understand why hozuki market is held in front of a huge temple.

When you visit Sensoji temple, you usually go through Nakamise (commercial area) before reaching the main buildings. Just before the main buildings, there is a large wooden gate. There is normally a vacant area around the gate, and that is where the hozuki market is held.

There are hundreds of stalls selling hozuki. You can purchase a branch of hozuki for about 1,000 yen, or the whole plant for around 2,500 yen. Some of the hozuki are attached to Furin wind-bells which help the Japanese feel the atmosphere of summertime.

The market has been held here since the Tokugawa shogunate. Since then, it has been believed among the prayers that if they visit this temple and pray in July 10, it is worth the effect of 46,000 days of praying. Therefore, there are more prayers than other days with about 600,000 visitors to this market in 2 days. Therefore, it is essential for you to take care of your belongings. Otherwise, you are free to hang around this market, ask some discount for hozuki, and feel that summertime is coming now.