Tokyo festival turns streets into a giant water fight

No Comment Video. Tokyo festival turns streets into a giant water fight Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 17/08/2026 - 18:40 GMT+2 Crowds drench mikoshi bearers with buckets, hoses and water pistols during Tokyo's triennial Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri on 16 August 2026. Buckets, hoses and water pistols soak participants carrying portable shrines through eastern Tokyo during the Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri on Sunday, 16 August. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The footage shows crowds drenching the bearers while firefighters spray them with hoses. Held once every three years, the main procession featured 54 mikoshi carried along an eight-kilometre route by about 25,000 people. The festival dates back to 1642, when Tokyo was still known as Edo. Participants say the event requires years of preparation and brings people from different social backgrounds together. Its history also includes a tragedy. In 1807, Eitai Bridge collapsed under the weight of crowds watching the procession, killing nearly 1,500 people. Japan Festival Top stories Now playing Next Tokyo festival turns streets into a giant water fight Now playing Next 7,200 eggs cracked for giant omelette at Belgian festival Now playing Next Unexpected passengers: Two goats surprise passengers by boarding a bus Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 17th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next US media speculate on Panettiere 'overdose' as authorities investigate Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 17th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next At least seven killed in stampede at Hindu temple in India Now playing Next Kyiv launches large attack on Russian military and energy facilities Now playing Next Fires rage in Europe as Belgium sees biggest blaze in recorded history Now playing Next At least 12 people killed in Polish tourist bus crash in Hungary Now playing Next Thieves steal four Renaissance artworks from Sicily museum Now playing Next 'Such devastating news': Stars pay tribute to Heroes and Scream star Hayden Panettiere, dead aged 36 Now playing Next 'Our house is on fire, Andy': Activists send stark message to PM over new oil and gas drilling Now playing Next Ukraine has hit seven of Russian online retailer Wildberries' 10 biggest warehouses, military says Now playing Next Germany warns EU electricity tax plan threatens national sovereignty Now playing Next Hundreds of nostalgic Germans flock to see Angela Merkel’s portrait ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Belgium races to tame huge wildfire 'spreading towards Germany' No Comment Dogs receive holy water blessing in Bolivia ceremony No Comment World’s Ugliest Dog contest crowns its 2026 winner No Comment Corgis race, bark and dress up at quirky competition in Vilnius Culture news Panathenaic Stadium's marble regains its shine: First cleaning of Greek arena in a century Europe News EU to propose tougher sanctions on Russia this autumn, Kaja Kallas says Culture news 'Such devastating news': Stars pay tribute to Heroes and Scream star Hayden Panettiere, dead aged 36 Israel Kushner meets Israeli PM Netanyahu after talks with Hamas on Gaza peace plan Culture news Hayden Panettiere, acclaimed Heroes and Nashville actress, dies at 36 Sport 2026 Lima Grand Prix Day 3: A golden finish in Peru USA South Korea says will 'coordinate closely' with US on joint drills after Trump announces drawdown Culture news Thieves bypass security to steal four Renaissance artworks from Sicily museum ADVERTISEMENT Culture news A race of short legs and big personalities: corgis take over Vilnius Europe News Ukraine launches large-scale drone attack on Russian military and energy infrastructure Europe News Europe continues to battle wildfires as Belgium sees biggest blaze in recorded history Afghanistan Taliban mark five-year anniversary of regaining power in Afghanistan Europe News Police apologise after Al-Fayed sex abuse complainants' identity breach Europe News Morocco prevents hundreds of migrants from crossing into Spain's Ceuta Europe News At least 12 people killed in Polish tourist bus crash in Hungary Sport Lima Grand Prix 2026: Breakthrough victories on Day Two ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT