Kawase Matsuri Festival (2025)
7/19(土) 〜 7/20(日)
1-3 Bambacho, Chichibu, Saitama, Chichibu Shrine
The 'Kawase Matsuri' is the summer grand festival of Chichibu Shrine, held annually on July 19-20, and is also locally known as 'Ogion.' While the winter Chichibu Night Festival is considered an adults' festival, the Kawase Matsuri is a festival where children take center stage. Eight floats — four kasaboko (umbrella-topped floats) and four yatai (stage floats) — parade through the streets of Chichibu city accompanied by spirited festival music. On the eve-of-festival night, the glow of paper lanterns and bonbori creates a magical atmosphere, while the main festival's highlight is 'Mikoshi Arai' (Mikoshi Washing), where an approximately 400-kilogram plain-wood mikoshi is carried into the clear waters of the Arakawa River. The sight of children serving as musicians and clappers adds to the festival's charm, making it a quintessential summer tradition of Chichibu.。
infoThis information was collected and summarized by AI from public sources.
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Access & Location
⚠️ Dates and locations are subject to change. Please also check the reference site for details.
Address
1-3 Bambacho, Chichibu, Saitama, Chichibu Shrine
Official Information
https://www.chichibuji.gr.jp/2025kawase/Get Ready
Prepare for this festival
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auto_awesomeHighlights
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The main highlight is the 'Mikoshi Arai' on the main festival day (July 20), where the approximately 400-kilogram mikoshi enters the clear waters of the Arakawa River to wash away all calamities. On the eve-of-festival night, dedicatory fireworks are launched from Hitsujiyama Park, and the lantern-lit float procession is also spectacular.
history_eduHistory & Origins
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Chichibu Shrine is the guardian deity of the Chichibu region with over 2,000 years of history. The current shrine building was donated by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1592. The Kawase Matsuri is a summer grand festival with over 300 years of tradition, passed down alongside the Chichibu Night Festival as one of Chichibu's representative festivals. The Chichibu Night Festival is counted among Japan's Three Great Float Festivals alongside Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Takayama's Sanno Festival.
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The Chichibu Kawase Matsuri is the summer festival of Higashimisaki-gu, a sub-shrine of Chichibu Shrine, with roots in the Heian-period Gion Festival tradition. The earliest record appears in a 1659 (Manji 2) Inoue family document as 'Kawase no Harae on the 15th day of the 6th month.' It is also documented in a 1709 (Hoei 6) letter to the Oshi domain magistrate and the 1837 (Tenpo 8) 'Chichibu-shi.' Held annually on July 19-20 with over 300 years of history. Eight floats from the town districts are paraded, and the mikoshi washing ceremony takes place in the Arakawa River. As the summer counterpart to the winter Chichibu Night Festival, it is also known as the children's festival. Designated as a Saitama Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2021.
directionsAccess
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About a 3-minute walk from Chichibu Station on the Chichibu Railway, or about a 10-minute walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station on the Seibu Railway. By car, about 50 minutes from Hanazono IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway via Route 140. Chichibu City Miyaji Ground is available as a temporary free parking lot (both days, 9:00-22:00). Public transportation is recommended as traffic restrictions are in effect along the float procession routes.
groupsCrowd Forecast
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Both the eve and main festival become most crowded from late afternoon when floats gather at Chichibu Shrine. The area around the 'Mikoshi Arai' is especially packed, so securing a spot early is recommended. Mornings are relatively uncrowded for viewing.
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Drone flying and aerial photography are prohibited within restricted areas. July temperatures in Chichibu are high, so hats, sunscreen, and beverages for heat protection are essential. Check traffic restriction areas in advance and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Visitor Report
The Kawase Matsuri, held annually on July 19-20 as the summer grand festival of Chichibu Shrine, is cherished locally as the summer counterpart to the Chichibu Night Festival. Its most distinctive feature is that children take center stage, serving as musicians and clappers for the eight floats — four kasaboko and four yatai — earning warm cheers from roadside spectators for their earnest efforts. On the eve-of-festival night, the solemn 'Tenno Hashira-tate Shinji' (Heavenly King Pillar-Raising Ceremony) is performed at Chichibu Shrine, and the next day floats parade through the streets accompanied by spirited festival music. The climax is the 'Mikoshi Arai' at the Arakawa River, where the approximately 400-kilogram plain-wood mikoshi is carried into the river with its bearers to wash away all calamities — a spectacle of overwhelming power. The sight of water splashing in the midsummer heat is refreshing, drawing cheers from onlookers. The entire town of Chichibu is wrapped in a festive mood, with numerous food stalls creating a summer tradition where locals and tourists come together in celebration.
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Nearby Events
Chichibu Kawase Matsuri (River Festival)
place1-3 Banbacho, Chichibu, Saitama (Chichibu Shrine)
Kawase Matsuri (2026)
place1-3 Bamba-cho, Chichibu, Saitama (around Chichibu Shrine)
Ogawa Town Tanabata Festival
placeAround Ogawa Station, Ogawa Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture
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