The Kawagoe Festival is held at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, which is easy to reach by taking the Koedo Kawagoe Loop Bus from Kawagoe Station and getting off at the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine stop, just a 1-minute walk away. You can also walk about 26 minutes from Hon-Kawagoe Station or 34 minutes from Kawagoe Station. Another option is to take a Tobu Bus toward Shinmeicho Shako or Josai High School, get off at the Kitamachi stop, and walk about 5 minutes to the shrine.
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Kawagoe Festival
1 of 1 in Kawagoe
Kawagoe Festival (川越まつり, Kawagoe Matsuri) is one of the most exciting autumn events in Saitama, rooted in the Hikawa Shrine’s “Reitaisai” ritual and celebrated every October. Known for its massive two-story Edo-style floats called dashi, the festival blends centuries-old craftsmanship with energetic parades and traditional hayashi music battles as the floats face off in the streets. The highlight is seeing these floats, complete with puppets and trapdoor-style mechanisms, navigating the town — a design once meant to pass through castle gates.
The festival isn’t just about spectacle; it connects the past with the present. Originally a unifying event in Edo times, it helped communities organize and draw strength from shared cultural identity. Today, locals continue this tradition with pride, handing it down to future generations. Walking the streets as the colorful curtains (kōhaku-maku) go up and the energy builds is a moving experience — one that honors both history and community spirit.
When
- When
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The Kawagoe Festival is held every year on the third Saturday and Sunday of October.
Getting there
Resources
English
Kawagoe Festival
Official website
Japanese
Kawagoe Festival
Official website
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