Written by Alexandra Ziminski
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 dates back to 1648 with the “Jinkosai” festival at Hikawa Shrine, which is held before the main festival.
There is also a special app to better find your way around the festival, which you can download here if you like.
Schedule 2025
You’ll be able to see the floats on both Saturday and Sunday throughout the day, but these are the highlights:
October 18 (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 19 (Sun.):
- Some floats will be paraded in front of City Hall from (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
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- 13 m from Kawagoe Station Tōbu Tōjō Line (TJ21)
