Written by Aarohi Narain
See folk dance and fireworks in a mountainside setting.
What happens?
Starting in the evening, dancers in colorful summer yukata line the streets of Minano in Saitama to perform the Chichibu Ondo, a folk dance originating in the area. Moves reference local practices such as silk farming.
Later, enjoy a fireworks display launched from Mount Mino (Minoyama), which includes giant bursts and artistic star mine sequences.
Pro tip: Check out our Chichibu day trip guide for more ideas on what to do in the area.
Schedule 2025
The evening begins at 5 p.m. along Honmachi Shopping Street and at the Festival Plaza in front of Minano Town Hall.
At 8:45 p.m., a fireworks show will light up the sky from nearby Mount Minoyama.
Finally, the awards ceremony for the dance competition will take place at 9:10 p.m. back at the Festival Plaza.
How to get there
From Shinjuku Station, take the Shōnan–Shinjuku Line Special Rapid to Kumagaya Station, then change to the Chichibu Main Line and alight at Minano Station. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Minano Town Hall and the festival area. The entire journey should take around 2.5 hours.
Alternatively, start at Ikebukuro Station and take the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line Limited Express to Seibu Chichibu Station, then walk over to Ohanabatake Station and hop on the Chichibu Main Line to Minano Station. This will also take around 2.5 hours total.
For a luxe ride, consider taking the Limited Express Laview from Ikebukuro to Seibu Chichibu Station (around 80 minutes), then do as above. This will shave your travel time down to about 1.5 hours. It’s a good idea to reserve your seats ahead of time, if possible.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.