Sanja Festival 2025: Seeing through crowds with the Canon R5
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The air in Asakusa crackled with energy. Shouts of “Wasshoi! Wasshoi!” echoed off the buildings. Teams of festival-goers, clad in traditional garb, heaved thousand-kilogram mikoshi (portable shrines) through the streets and around Sensoji Temple. This was Sanja Matsuri 2025, one of Tokyo’s wildest and most beloved festivals, and for three days, it is the epicentre of the world.
I was in the thick of it on Sunday, the festival’s climactic final day, joined by two million other spectators. The weather, from a photographer’s perspective, was a mixed blessing. A ceiling of clouds blocked the harsh sun, providing soft, even light, but there were no beautiful blue skies. For the crowds, however, the cooler temperatures were probably welcomed.
This festival was also a good field test for my Canon EOS R5. Having bought it in late 2024, I’d had six months to get used to it. But the Sanja was a different beast entirely. Could a camera released five years ago still keep up with this level of intensity? The answer was an emphatic yes.
The Canon EOS R5: A powerhouse in the crowd
In a chaotic environment like Sanja Matsuri 2025, your gear can either be a seamless extension of your vision or a frustrating barrier. The R5 proved to be the former.
The 45MP Sensor: A lifesaver in a crowd
Working with a single lens, the versatile RF 24-105mm f/4 L, means you can’t always “zoom with your feet.” Often, I was stuck two or three rows deep in the crowd. This is where the 45-megapixel sensor was appreciated.
But the R5’s resolution isn’t just about creative flexibility; it’s a tool for safety. These mikoshi can weigh up to 1,000 kg, carried by a surging team of 50 or more people. Getting too close is a genuine risk—a single stumble can have tragic consequences. The ability to shoot from a safer distance and still crop in for a tight, impactful shot isn’t just a convenience; it’s a lifesaver. You can capture the intensity without putting yourself or your gear in harm’s way.
Tackling chaos with flawless eye AF
One true test of an autofocus system is chaos, and the R5’s Eye Detection AF is simply phenomenal. As one mikoshi team charged past Kaminarimon, the crowd surged. In that split second, the camera instantly locked onto the lead bearer’s eye, tracking him perfectly. Even with dozens of other faces, arms, and banners in the frame, the focus was consistently sharp where it mattered most.
The camera’s performance was superb. Its only real drawback is a familiar one for full-frame users: weight. After a full day of moving through the streets, the combined heft of the R5 and an L-series lens makes its presence known. It’s a trade-off I’m willing to make for the results.
Top photography spots for the Sanja Festival
Most of these images were captured in the dense triangle of action between these three spots:
- Around Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate): The iconic entrance and a major chokepoint for the mikoshi processions.
- Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center: Most people head to the 8th floor to get a great view of Nakamise-Dori, the pagoda, and the temple. People in the know head to the 2nd floor, which offers superior views of the mikoshi in front of Kaminarimon.
- The steps of Senso-ji Temple: A great place to capture the mikoshi being presented at the temple itself (can you spot the photo taken from here?).
A champion at Sanja Matsuri 2025
The Sanja Matsuri was the ultimate test for the Canon EOS R5, and it passed with flying colours. It proves that a camera’s value isn’t just about its release date, but about its core capabilities. High resolution for cropping flexibility and a world-class autofocus system make it an incredible tool for event photography.
I would still recommend the R5 to any serious photographer, provided they’re prepared for the full-frame weight. The image quality and performance are, in a word, exceptional.
If you’re reading this from overseas, put the Sanja Matsuri on your bucket list. The energy of the crowd and the raw power of the event are something you have to experience to believe. I’ve photographed it many times, and I know I’ll be back again.
To learn more about this event, read [Sanja Festival: A Photographer’s Guide]
Date of Photos: 18 May 2025
Photography gear for this shoot
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM
