Chichibu Kawase Matsuri (River Festival)
A summer festival held annually on July 19th and 20th at Chichibu Shrine, locally known as "O-Gion." Known as the summer counterpart to the winter Chichibu Night Festival, if the Night Festival is an adults' festival, the Kawase Festival belongs to the children. Children pull four kasaboko (umbrella floats) and four yatai (festival floats) through the streets, and children also serve as musicians and carry wooden clappers adorned with flower hats, creating a scene both adorable and dignified. The climax on the 20th is the "Mikoshi Washing Ceremony" where the mikoshi is cleansed in the clear waters of the Arakawa River - a spectacular ritual of the mikoshi being rocked in the river. This traditional summer highlight of Chichibu boasts over 300 years of history.
Chichibu Kawase Matsuri (River Festival) に関する情報をみんなで持ち寄りましょう。
Event Info
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The biggest highlight is the "Mikoshi Washing Ceremony" on the 20th. The spectacular sight of the mikoshi being cleansed in the clear waters of the Arakawa River is breathtaking. The procession of kasaboko and yatai pulled by children is charming, offering a bright and festive atmosphere distinct from the winter Chichibu Night Festival.
history_eduHistory & Origins
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The festival's predecessor is believed to be the Gion festivals that became popular across Japan during the Heian period. The first written record of "Kawase Matsuri" appears in a document from 1659 (Manji 2). In 2021, "The Kawase and Float Processions of Chichibu Kawase Matsuri" was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Saitama Prefecture. As the summer counterpart to the winter Chichibu Night Festival, it has over 300 years of history.
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A festival of Himisakigu, a subsidiary shrine of Chichibu Shrine, believed to have originated from the Gion festivals that became popular across Japan during the Heian period. First recorded as "Kawase no Harae on the 15th of the 6th month" in the Inoue Family Document of 1659 (Manji 2), and also mentioned in the "Chichibu-ryo Hyakusho Nenchu Gyo Oboe" of 1709 (Hoei 6). Documentary evidence confirms it was already being held by the mid-17th century. A festival to pray for protection from epidemics that were most prevalent in hot summers, held annually on July 19th and 20th. Characterized by float processions and the mikoshi washing ceremony in the Arakawa River. One of Chichibu's most representative festivals alongside the Night Festival.
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A 3-minute walk from "Chichibu Station" on Chichibu Railway, or a 10-minute walk from "Seibu-Chichibu Station" on Seibu Railway. By car, about 35km (approximately 50 minutes) from Kanetsu Expressway Hanazono IC via Route 140.
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The area becomes most crowded during the Mikoshi Washing Ceremony on the 20th. The float procession covers a wide area of the city center, so you can find a relaxed spot if you choose your location.
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Chichibu is a basin area with high temperatures in July, so thorough heat measures are essential. If watching the Mikoshi Washing Ceremony up close, be aware you may get splashed. Food stalls are set up around Chichibu Shrine, so you can enjoy strolling around.
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いちばんの注目は日本遺産クイズラリー2026。小学生以下は大人の同伴が必要。
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Visitor Report
A summer festival held annually on July 19th and 20th at Chichibu Shrine, locally called "O-Gion." In contrast to the winter Chichibu Night Festival being an adults' festival, the Kawase Festival is known as a children's festival, with elementary school students serving as musicians and clapper bearers. The spectacular sight of eight gorgeous floats - four kasaboko and four yatai - parading through the streets accompanied by festival music is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Saitama Prefecture. On the evening of the 19th, all eight floats gather in the Chichibu Shrine grounds for the "Tenno Pillar Raising Ceremony," creating a fantastical night sky with lantern-decorated floats and fireworks. The climax on the 20th is the "Mikoshi Washing" where about 40 young men carry the 400kg mikoshi into the Arakawa River for a purification ceremony in the water. A traditional Chichibu summer event where children's earnest expressions and adults' powerful mikoshi carrying unite as one.
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