Japanese celebrated the first Kanda Matsuri festival of Reiwa Ear in Tokyo, Japan, on May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

About 1,000 people in period costumes joined the Shinko-sai parade, one of the highlights of the festival. /VCG Photo

During the parade, people carried Mikoshi, a portable shrine that holds the spirit of the deity, around local areas. It signified the warding off of misfortune and wish for happiness. /VCG Photo