Kawagoe Festival

Held over a weekend in mid-October, the Kawagoe Festival is renowned as Koedo-Kawagoe’s liveliest event of the year.

What happens?

The festival features spectacular festival floats carrying exquisitely crafted dolls which are pulled around the center of Koedo-Kawagoe’s landmark Kurazukuri (traditional warehouse architecture) Zone. A highlight is an aspect known as ‘Hikkawase’ — a face off between floats with their accompanying orchestras while being cheered on by onlookers.

The origin of the festival is in 1648 with the “Jinkosai” festival at Hikawa Shrine which is held before the main festival.

Schedule 2024

You’ll be able to see the floats on both Saturday and Sunday throughout the day, but these are the highlights:

October 19 (Sat.)

• A ritual procession including floats will take place between 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. towards Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.
• Lanterns are lit on the floats and music is performed (6 p.m. to 7 p.m.) — layout here.
• A special skill by a craftsman will be shown in front of Saitama Risona Bank, Kawagoe Branch (6:20 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.).

October 20 (Sun.):

• Some floats will be paraded in front of City Hall from (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.).