Each year in Autumn, Yashio City – like many other cities and towns across Japan – have a citizen’s festival. However, during the pandemic it wasn’t on and 2023 was the first time in four years they had the festival. It was on in 2024 with a Halloween element. Moreover, it was on for two days, with Sunday the main day. It was the 30th occurrence of the citizen’s festival in Yashio City. In 2025 the festival was cancelled due to the terrible sink hole tragedy earlier that year. The festival is back in 2026, on Sunday October 25th, for the 31st time, but without a Halloween element. But they will have a children’s sumo tournament on the eve of the festival – Saturday October 24th from 9 am to 3 pm.
Yashio Citizen’s Festival
While many residents will be pleased to see the festival return, organizers have confirmed that the traditional parade along Keyaki-dori will not take place this year. The city says the parade remains affected by the road collapse incident and has asked visitors to look forward to its future revival. There is no Halloween element either, for the same reason.
What they will have is a wide variety of festival booths and food stalls. There will also be a children’s festival area with (among others) a mini SL train ride, balloon art and hands on experiences. They have a live stage too, with a range of performances, including taiko drumming. Visitors can also enjoy displays, community activities and the popular mikoshi (portable shrine) procession. In addition, for the 2026 version, JA Saitama’s character “Kappa-chan” will make an appearance on the bus and there is a fire truck on site.
Event Information
Event: Yashio Citizen’s Festival 2026 やしお市民まつり
Date: Sunday October 25th (Sumo tournament on October 24th).
Time: from 9 am to 4 pm
Cost: there is no admission fee
Venue: various, as per the photo two paragraphs up. Yashio Central Park, 1-9-9 Central Yashio, Saitama 〒340-0816. View on Google Maps.
Access
As it is a festival there will be limited parking. Furthermore, some of the roads will be closed off to vehicles. It is advised to come by public transport. The festival area is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from Yashio Station.
well thats tomorrow! Are you going?