November 2026 – A month of Autumn Colors. There are many autumn leaves festivals and events on in November annually. Saitama Prefecture Day also falls during this month and there are two separate public holidays; Culture Day on November 3rd annually and Labor Thanksgiving Day on the 23rd. There areRead More →
After a four-year absence, one of Saitama’s most beloved fireworks displays is finally returning. The 32nd Koedo Kawagoe Fireworks Festival will be held on Saturday, November 21st, 2026. It brings approximately 6,500 fireworks to the skies above Kawagoe’s Aina Shinsui Park. This year is particularly special as the event movesRead More →
One of Saitama’s most popular community Halloween events is celebrating a major milestone this year. クマガヤハロウィン (Kumagaya Halloween) returns in 2026 for its 10th anniversary, bringing costumes, trick-or-treating, stamp rallies and family-friendly fun to Kumagaya City. This year’s celebration features a wide range of community events, special promotions and HalloweenRead More →
Residents and visitors to Saitama’s Iwatsuki Ward can look forward to a new winter attraction this year as the city launches its first-ever “Chill Illumination [Chillumination] Iwatsuki 2026” illumination event. The new display will bring colorful lights and seasonal photo opportunities to the area around Iwatsuki Station’s east exit fromRead More →
This Autumn, for the fourth time, Kumagaya City in Saitama and Ota City and Oizumi Town in Gunma, will collaborate on a large-scale fireworks display over the Tonegawa River. Between them, the two cities and one town will launch approximately 5,500 fireworks, set to music, over the Tosui Bridge, whichRead More →
The Soka Fusasara Festival is quite a large festival. It is on around the Soka Matsubara Promenade annually. There are many different elements to the festival including, for example, a parade, stage events, market, bouncing castles, world bazaar and even a boat ride. Designed as a festival for the people,Read More →
One of Saitama’s most famous places for Autumn / Fall colors. The best time to view Autumn leaves in Nagatoro is generally November. Stretching six kilometers along the Ara river from Iwadatami, resplendent fall colors decorate the Nagatoro Valley. Trees include Momiji, Kunugi and Oak. Taking the famous ‘Line Kudari’Read More →
I am no expert on yabusame by any means. As far as I am aware, the yabusame in Moroyama is the most famous in Saitama Prefecture, while this one in Kawagoe is smaller and lesser known. That said, this year marks only the 13th occurrence of Kawagoe Yabusame, so itRead More →
There are at least two Yosakoi festivals in Soka City each year. This one in November and one in September with Samba as well. The upcoming, November, Soka Yosakoi is on Culture Day each year, which is November 3rd. The Soka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Festival is on theRead More →
The Iruma Air Show is typically held each year on November 3rd, but the 2023 event took an unusual turn. Originally postponed to January 2024 so that the Blue Impulse aerobatic team could participate, the event was ultimately cancelled as the Japan Self-Defense Forces were called upon to assist withRead More →