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Kawagoe Festival

The gorgeous floats are one of a kind! The proudest festival of Saitama.

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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

  • Using public transportation is recommended during the festival.
  • At night, you can enjoy a completely different atmosphere with the lanterns lit up all around the streets.
  • The dolls displayed at the top are often modeled on characters from myths and historical heroes.
  • Many food stalls will be selling street foods as well! Enjoy the fantastic foods you can only have at Japanese festivals.
  • At Yoiyama (a small festival held the night before the festival) on Saturday night, you can watch the floats in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Photos

  • Kawagoe Festival, representing the autumn season of Kawagoe City

    Kawagoe Festival, representing the autumn season of Kawagoe City

  • Streets are filled with people

    Streets are filled with people

  • Gorgeous floats shining at night

    Gorgeous floats shining at night

  • Take beautiful photos in front of the Toki no Kane (The Bell of Time)!

    Take beautiful photos in front of the Toki no Kane (The Bell of Time)!

Reviews

1
  • Thingnam19940301

    沒機會遇到川越祭現場活動,川越祭典會館內有介紹許多關於川越祭典故,也有真實山車展示,還有祭典影片介紹喔😁

Details

Name in Japanese
川越まつり
Postal Code
350-1100
Address
Center area of Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture
Telephone
049-222-5556 (Kawagoe Station Tourist Information Office)
Admission
Free
Dates
Third Saturday and Sunday of October
Access
Short walk from Honkawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, or Kawagoe Station on the Tobu Tojo Line or JR Kawagoe Line
Official Website
Official Website (English)