The “Asakusa Samba Carnival,” considered the largest in the Northern Hemisphere, was held on the 15th around Senso-ji Temple in Taito City, Tokyo. In the scorching heat that felt like summer rather than September, dancers adorned in vibrant costumes showcased dynamic performances to cheerful rhythms, captivating an audience of 470,000 (as reported by the organizers).
Participants showcasing their dance in vibrant costumes (photo by Tetsuya Nufuji)
After cancellations and reductions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event marked the 39th occurrence and saw a “full revival” with the return of expression competitions for the first time in five years.
A total of 15 teams participated in the contest, competing across two leagues. Each team set a theme such as “electricity” or “cheers,” and danced freely along the course for 40 minutes. In the prestigious S1 League, the local Asakusa team “G.R.E.S. Nakamise Barbaros” won, achieving a fifth consecutive victory, with participation from local elementary school teams as well.
Participants showcasing their performance using balloons (photo by Tetsuya Nufuji)
Many spectators returned to the sidelines, nearing the pre-pandemic figure of 500,000. Yukiko Suzuki, a 60-year-old office worker from Nakano, Tokyo, expressed her joy, saying, “I came to watch before the pandemic. It feels like everything has returned to normal.” Sakae Miyake, a 46-year-old office worker from Minato, Tokyo, added, “The energy was incredible, and just watching it made me feel uplifted. I want to give it a try myself,” bursting into a smile. (Rina Suzuki)
The contest results are as follows.
Spectators smiling at the glamorous performance (photo by Tetsuya Nufuji)
【S1 League】
(1) G.R.E.S. Nakamise Barbaros (Asakusa, Tokyo)
(2) Escola de Samba Saudade (Noge, Yokohama)
(3) G.R.E.S. Uniao dos Amadores (Tokyo)
【S2 League】
(1) G.R.E.S. Academicos da Gloria (Shinagawa, Tokyo)
(2) Amigos Calientes (Kanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo)
(3) G.R.E.S. Imperio do Samba (Tokyo)