Chichibu Night Festival 2024

The annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine, known as Chichibu Shrine Festival, is considered one of the “Three Great Float Festivals of Japan” along with Kyoto’s Gion Festival and Hida’s Takayama Festival. It takes place every year on December 2nd (Yoi-Miya or Eve Festival) and 3rd (Oomatsuri or Grand Festival).

On the festival day, two magnificent “Kasahoko” (decorated floats with tall decorative umbrellas) and four “Yatai” (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets. The climax occurs on the night of the 3rd, where the impressive sight of the Kasahoko and Yatai, some weighing up to 20 tons, is pulled up a steep slope known as “Dango-zaka” (Dango Hill).

This festival gained prominence during the mid-Edo period, coinciding with the economic development of the silk weaving market in Chichibu, known as the “Silk Market” (Kinu no Takamachi). Over time, it has evolved into one of Japan’s representative festivals, celebrated with great splendor and attracting visitors from all around the country.

 

 

 

 

Outline of the event

Place: Chichibu Shrine, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture

Date: December 1 – 6, 2024

Official web：Click Here