Sanja Matsuri

Tokyo's biggest and best traditional festival was called off last year, after officials decided that such an ebullient celebration would be inappropriate so soon after the March 11 disaster. They were probably right, but it's still damn nice to have the Sanja Matsuri back – and just in time for its 700th birthday, too. First held back in 1312, the event celebrates the three men who founded Asakusa's Sensoji Temple, and draws millions of visitors to the neighbourhood over the course of three days. Though there'll be processions and traditional dance performances throughout the weekend, the highlight of the festival comes on the Sunday, when three mikoshi (portable shrines) are shuttled through the streets of Asakusa, with local residents taking turns – and often fighting each other for the chance – to carry them.