The Kawagoe Festival is a traditional autumn festival held every year on the third Saturday and Sunday of October. Many people come from all over the world to visit, and it is the most energetic moment of the year in Kawagoe City.
The festival with a 370-year long history has been nationally designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Heritage in 2005 and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. Kawagoe Festival is characterized by its long history and recognized cultural value.
Many tourists come for the luxurious floats of each city. The approximately 8-meter-high floats are decorated with detailed embroidery and elaborate carvings. It has a surprisingly heavyweight of 3-4 tons, with a human-shaped doll at the top. You can enjoy the spectacular combination of the floats being pulled in the townscape of traditional Japanese warehouses while playing lively music.
Don't miss the musical battle known as "hikkawase," which happens when two floats pass each other. This is when the town's excitement is at its peak, and you can feel emersed in the true joy of the festival.
The clothing that people wear is also unique to the festival day. There is no doubt that you can have an extraordinary experience as if you have gone back in time to old Japan.
Highlights
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Using public transportation is recommended during the festival.
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At night, you can enjoy a completely different atmosphere with the lanterns lit up all around the streets.
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The dolls displayed at the top are often modeled on characters from myths and historical heroes.
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Many food stalls will be selling street foods as well! Enjoy the fantastic foods you can only have at Japanese festivals.
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At Yoiyama (a small festival held the night before the festival) on Saturday night, you can watch the floats in a more relaxed atmosphere.
