Float Festival Japan

Float Festival Japan

When & Where The Float Festival Japan is an Asian festival which takes place on the 2nd & 3rd of December in Banba-machi, Chichibu in the province of Saitama in Japan. This Japanese festival is also known as Chichibu Yomatsuri.

What to Expect The eve before the festival two large parasol-like objects (hikiyama) are decorated on top with weapons such as spears, and artificial flowers together with four yatai floats in the shape of houses are paraded through the streets. These floats then change into stages by pulling out wings on either side, where Kabuki plays are performed.

Festival of the Floats in Japan

The following day the 15 ton kasaboko & yatai floats, sparkling with fireworks and adornments are carried up a steep slope with a portable shrine called a mikoshi . The drums pound to a crescendo as the shrine reaches the top of the hill with fireworks spitting into the sky as the town shouts and screams Ho-ryai! Ho-ryai!

Getting there Book a flight into any airport in Japan here.

Accommodation in Japan

Where to stay Book your accommodation for this Japanese Festival below. There's quality hotels or cheap accommodation in > Chichibu, Saitama & the rest of Japan available here.

History of Chichibu Yomatsuri

This Japanese festival is over 2000 years old and is one of the “Big 3” Float festivals. The other hikiyama (float) festivals, are the Gion Matsuri of Kyoto & Takayama Matsuri of Takayama.

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