Mac, Founder and Lead Guide of Maction Planet, shares photos of his favourite cosplay from the Tsukiji Honganji Noryo Bon Odori Taikai 2018!

Tsukiji Honganji (or Hongwanji, as the temple still likes using an archaic transliteration) is one of my favourite temples in the city. It belongs to the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. It is a unique building with a mismash of architectural styles. It is not just me who thinks this is one of the city’s most important buildings – the Main Hall, the gateposts of the temple’s three gates (Main, North and South) and the stone walls were all designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan in 2014.

Each year, Tsukiji Honganji hosts a Bon Odori festival for four days which usually falls at the start of August. The large open grounds of the temple provide a great stage for dancing around the yagura tower, especially after the renovations of 2017 which celebrated the 400th anniversary of the temple. Another highlight is the food stalls run by the vendors from in and around the Tsukiji Outer Market. Indeed, the temple promotes the event as “Japan’s Most Delicious Bon Odori”.

If this wasn’t enough, the Friday of the event is ‘Fancy dress’ night. People are encouraged to come in cosplay and fancy dress and enjoy the evening’s dancing. I am always impressed with the dedication people show to their costumes and that they actually dance in them despite the heat of the Japanese summer!

After a great day with my guests showing them the popular and hidden highlights of Tokyo, followed by some beers at the Tokyo National Museum’s Tohaku Beer Night, we headed to Tsukiji Honganji to round out our evening… well, that was the original plan – they asked to extend again and we hit up some of my favourite cocktail bars in the city. That’s how an 8 hour original booking becomes 15 hours!

Without further ado, here are my favourite costumes from the night of Friday 3 August 2018 – all photos taken for the benefit of our guests and used with their permission. We continue…