Tokugawa Hundred-Member Gun Squad Ceremony
The Tokugawa Hundred-Member Gun Squad Ceremony is a historic reenactment held in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo.
This powerful and loud event commemorates the time when the first Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu, dedicated a squad of 100 gunmen to the Inari Kio Shrine.
The ceremony recreates the procession and firing drills of this historic matchlock gun squad.
The main highlight is the demonstration of the matchlock guns, known as hinawajū.
Reenactors dressed in authentic samurai-era armour and period clothing march in formation and fire their guns in a thunderous volley.
The procession typically parades through the streets of the Hyakunincho neighborhood, which literally means “town of 100 men,” named after the shogun’s guards who once lived there.
The event is a rare opportunity to witness a historical reenactment of this scale and to hear the incredible roar of traditional Japanese firearms.
Event Details
- Dates
- The ceremony is held annually on a Sunday in late September.
- The expected date is Sunday, September 28th, 2025.
- Please check the official Shinjuku tourism or shrine websites closer to the time for confirmation.
- Time
- The event usually takes place in the afternoon, with the procession and firing demonstration typically held between 1:00pm and 4:00pm.
- Location
- The procession takes place in the Hyakunincho neighborhood of Shinjuku, with the main ceremony held at the Kaichu Inari Shrine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.
- Admission
- Viewing the procession and ceremony is free.
- Please Note
- The firing of the matchlock guns is extremely loud.
- The procession route and schedule can be subject to change.
Directions & Travel Information
- By Train
- The event area is located in the lively neighborhood between Shin-Okubo and Okubo stations.
- JR Yamanote Line
- The closest station is Shin-Okubo Station.
- The Kaichu Inari Shrine is approximately a 2-minute walk from the station.
- JR Chūō-Sōbu Line
- A nearby station is Okubo Station.
- The shrine is approximately a 5-minute walk from the station’s North Exit.
Event Summary
| calendar_month DATE | Sep 28 2025 |
|---|---|
| schedule TIME | 9:40 am - 2:00 pm |
| payments Cost | FREE |
| info Website | Official Website |
| location_on Location | Kaichū Inari Shrine |
|---|---|
| map Area | Tokyo Hyakunincho |
| category CATEGORY | Cultural |
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