Kawagoe Festival

The Kawagoe Festival, also known as the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival, is one of Japan’s most impressive traditional float festivals, bringing the historic streets of Kawagoe, Saitama, to life with elaborate festival floats, traditional music, performances, and vibrant celebrations. The festival has a history dating back to the 17th century and has developed from the traditional rituals of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

One of the festival’s biggest attractions is its spectacular dashi, or festival floats. These large, beautifully decorated two-story floats feature traditional craftsmanship, elaborate ornaments, and figures inspired by legends and heroic stories. As the floats travel through the city, visitors can experience the distinctive atmosphere of historic Edo-era festival culture.

A major highlight is Hikkawase, when festival floats meet and face one another while musicians perform traditional matsuri-bayashi music featuring Japanese flutes and drums. During the evening, lanterns illuminate the floats and the energetic music, cheering crowds, and dramatic encounters create one of the festival's most memorable experiences.

The festival also includes the Jinkosai procession, a traditional ritual in which the deity of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is carried through the city on a portable shrine. This sacred procession represents the festival's religious roots and is associated with prayers for happiness, prosperity, and the well-being of the community.

The Kawagoe Festival was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2005 and was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage listing in 2016 as part of Japan’s “Yama, Hoko, Yatai” float festivals. Today, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture, historic craftsmanship, music, community spirit, and the festive atmosphere of Kawagoe.

Attending the Kawagoe Festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience one of Japan’s most celebrated traditional float festivals in an atmosphere filled with history, music, craftsmanship, and community spirit. The festival offers visitors a chance to see Kawagoe’s historic streets transformed by magnificent floats, traditional performances, and lively nighttime celebrations.

• Experience Traditional Japanese Culture
• Discover centuries-old Japanese festival traditions, rituals, music, craftsmanship, and local customs in an authentic cultural setting.
• See Magnificent Festival Floats

• Admire the beautifully decorated dashi floats, featuring impressive designs, traditional craftsmanship, and large figures inspired by historical and legendary characters.

• Witness the Exciting Hikkawase
• One of the festival’s most famous highlights is Hikkawase, where floats meet and musicians perform energetic traditional matsuri-bayashi music. The lively atmosphere makes this an unforgettable experience.

• Enjoy the Magical Nighttime Atmosphere
• As evening arrives, lanterns illuminate the festival floats, creating a spectacular atmosphere throughout Kawagoe’s historic streets.