Kawagoe Festival: Floats and Festival Music in Edo Atmosphere

The Kawagoe Festival consists of the "Jinkosai" procession and the float events that follow the annual grand rite held on October 14 by Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, and it is a traditional festival continuing since the Edo period, held every year on the third Sunday of October and the preceding day. Set against the kurazukuri (clay-walled warehouse) streetscape known as "Koedo" (Little Edo), the sight of gorgeous floats (dashi) parading one after another is nothing short of spectacular. In 2016 it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list as one of the "Yama, Hoko, Yatai float festivals," and it is known nationwide as a festival representing the Kanto region. It is an autumn tradition Kawagoe takes pride in, conveying the festival culture of Edo to the present day.

A Festival Inheriting Edo's "Tenka Matsuri"

The Kawagoe Festival is said to inherit the style of the "Tenka Matsuri" once held in Edo. Kawagoe flourished as a castle town with deep ties to Edo, and the splendid festival culture of Edo was transmitted here and developed in its own way. The floats owned by each town district are decorated with elaborate figures modeled on historical persons and characters from mythology, and their magnificence and beauty overwhelm the viewer. The floats, carefully handed down by each district over a long history, are truly the pride of the community. They continue to be protected by people's hands as a precious cultural heritage that conveys the refinement of Edo to the present.

Hikkawase and the Kurazukuri Streetscape

The greatest highlight of the Kawagoe Festival is the contest between floats known as "hikkawase." When floats meet, they turn to face one another and compete with festival music and dance. Amid lanterns held high and the fierce sound of flutes and drums, it is a powerful scene in which the excitement of the crowd reaches its peak, and the nighttime hikkawase in particular is fantastical and well worth seeing. The kurazukuri streetscape that serves as the festival's stage is also part of the appeal; the sight of the floats advancing along streets lined with imposing storehouses is like a scroll painting of a bygone age. This landscape, in which the Koedo atmosphere and the festival become one, is unique to Kawagoe.

Beauty of the Storehouse Town at Night

On festival nights the storehouse buildings are illuminated, wrapped in a fantastical atmosphere different from the daytime. With many food stalls lining the streets, enjoy the Kawagoe night to its fullest.

Best Season and Access

The festival is held on the third Saturday and Sunday of October every year, and visiting during this period lets you experience the full excitement of the main event. The nighttime hikkawase in particular should not be missed. For access, the venue is within walking distance of JR and Tobu Tojo Line "Kawagoe Station" and Seibu Shinjuku Line "Hon-Kawagoe Station," and access from central Tokyo is also good. It becomes extremely crowded during the festival, so allow plenty of time. Even outside the festival season, you can view actual floats at the "Kawagoe Festival Museum," where they are displayed. Together with a stroll through the kurazukuri streetscape, enjoy the history and festival charm of Koedo Kawagoe to the full.

Practical Information (2026)

• Dates: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
• Hours: On Saturday the 17th, the yoiyama runs from around 18:00 to 19:00; on Sunday the 18th there is a float procession in front of city hall. In 2025, vehicles were prohibited from 10:00 to 22:00 on both days
• Venue: The central urban district of Kawagoe City
• Traffic restrictions: In 2025 vehicles were prohibited from 10:00 to 22:00 on both days (bicycles had to be pushed). The 2026 restriction map will be published on the official website
• Parking: In 2025 temporary car parks were opened, and P1 Shimin Ground (about 25 buses and about 190 cars), P2 Kosemba (about 150 cars) and others could be used on both days from 8:30 to 22:00 (locked at 23:00). Some venues may be unusable if ground conditions are poor. There were two bicycle parking areas, at the tour bus boarding area on the north side of Kawagoe City Hall and at Chuo Elementary School, both days 8:30-22:00
• Toilets and rest areas: The official app "Kawagoe Matsuri Navi" provides information on toilets, rest areas, and temporary car parks

📚 Sources

• Kawagoe Festival official website
• Koedo Kawagoe Tourism Association