Information for the 14th annual Pink Ribbon light up on this October, 2023, in Kumagaya and Gyoda. As well as the candle night at Menuma Shodenzan on the opening night of the event.
Pink Ribbon Light up
Each year in the month of October, Saitama’s famous Menuma Shodenzan temple is lit up pink. And for the first night, October 1st, they also line the approach to the temple with candles. They light the candles from 5 pm and they also illuminate the temple in pink at the same time. Local elementary school children decorate the candle holders. On October 1st only you can buy a limited edition Menuma Shodenzan seal with a pink ribbon on it, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Other locations in Northern Saitama will also be lit up pink for the month of October. Such as the North exit of Kumagaya Station, Oshi Castle in neighboring Gyoda and Yakult in Honjo. Apologies about the quality of the below photo of the official poster for the 2023 event, I was in a hurry and couldn’t get the angel to take the gleam off the glass! The poster is also on the official website.
Information
Event: Kumagaya ① Candle Night, ②Pink Ribbon light up
Date: ① on Sunday October 1st only, ② the full month of October 2023
Time: from dusk to 9 pm
Cost: there is no event fee
Venue: Menuma Shodenzan (Kangiin Kumagaya on Google Maps?), 1511 Menuma, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0201. View on Google Maps.
Access
You can get a bus from the North exit of Kumagaya Station, which is on the JR Takasaki Line. Get a bus bound for Ota Station, Nishi Koizumi Station or Menuma Shodenzan and alight at “Shotenmae”. If you are coming by car, there are only three parking spots at the temple. But you can also park at Menuma Kanko city parking lot, which is about a ten minute walk away. However, parking there is also limited to just ten cars.
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looks worth it! By the way…. got a ticket yesterday to Japan 😉
WHAT! you should have led with that! how long has it been? When you coming?