Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival

This annual Yasaka Shrine festival is held over three days, from July 20 to 22. Its magnificent splendor has earned it a reputation as the Kanto region’s foremost Gion festival.

The name “Uchiwa Festival” is said to date back to around 1902, when the owner of the Senshuro restaurant began handing out fans during the summer festival. Inspired by the Tenno Festival, which was known for fans flying through the air, the owner purchased traditional shibu-uchiwa fans from the long-established Ibasen and began distributing them at the festival in Kumagaya. The fans proved popular, and other local businesses soon began making their own with their store names printed on them. This led to the festival becoming known as the Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival.

The festival begins with the Togyo-sai, a 6.5-mile procession that takes about three and a half hours. On the second day, dashi floats and yatai festival carts from each neighborhood line up and parade through the city during the Junko-sai. The festival reaches its climax on the final day with the Hikkawase Tatakiai, when all 12 floats and festival carts gather for a spirited musical face-off. This is followed by the Kangyo-sai, in which the mikoshi portable shrine returns to Yasaka Shrine, bringing the festival to a quiet close in a solemn atmosphere. It is a sacred festival well worth experiencing.