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Iriya Asagao MatsuriThe Iriya Asagao Matsuri (入谷朝顔まつり), or the Morning Glory Festival, is a large morning glory market held in front of Shingenji Temple (真源寺), commonly known as Iriya Kishimojin (入谷鬼子母神), from July 6th to 8th every year.
The market is 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Iriya Station, or 5-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line Uguisusani Station, and is not so far from Ueno Park.

Iriya Asagao Matsuri

The Iriya Asagao Matsuri is held from July 6th to 8th annually, regardless of what days of the week they are. Many morning glory markets are held throughout Japan in summer, but this event is one of the largest and most well known.

Shingenji Temple
Iriya Asagao Matsuri

This morning glory was held previously in the precincts of this temple, which was larger in old days, but when the street in front of the temple was widened, the temple grounds were significantly reduced and the market could no longer be held in it. Thus, the present market is held in front of the temple.

Morning glory market (daytime)
Iriya Asagao Matsuri
Iriya Asagao Matsuri
Morning glory market (nighttime)
Iriya Asagao Matsuri
Food stalls
Iriya Asagao Matsuri

The street will be car-free from the evening if it's a weekday. If it's a weekend, it will be car-free from noon.

In the Edo period (1603-1867), gardening was widely enjoyed even among city dwelling commoners in Japan, and the morning glory was one of the species which were very popular. Here at the Iriya area, gardeners is said to have raised morning glories from early 19th century, and from middle of the century, morning glory markets were held. This market continued until early 20th century, but because of urbanization of the area, gardeners moved away to suburban areas, and the market was discontinued. It was not until 1948 that this morning glory market was revived.

Iriya Asagao Ondo Odori Taikai

The Iriya Asagao Ondo Odori Taikai (入谷朝顔音頭踊り大会) is a bon-odori event held in the evening during the period the morning glory market is held. It is held at a small park [MAP] which is 6 minutes away to the southeast from the market.
Bon-odori is a traditinal dance party commonly held around Japan in summer. A tremendous nubmer of bon-dori events are held in Tokyo alone, but this is one of the earliest to be held.

Iriya Asagao Ondo Odori Taikai
Iriya Asagao Ondo Odori Taikai
Iriya Asagao Matsuri
1-12-16 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo MAP
Access: 1-min walk from Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Iriya Station/ 5-min walk from JR Yamanote Line Uguisusani Station