The beloved Kasukabe Eisa festival – a taste of Okinawa in Saitama in 2023.
The Kasukabe Eisa Festival was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. However, it was on in 2022. Moreover, throughout the pandemic, they aired live performances for all to enjoy. There is nothing online yet for 2023, but the event was publicized in print earlier this month. The monthly Kasukabe City public relations magazine – May edition – confirmed that the festival is scheduled for 2023. However, currently it is only scheduled for one day, as was the case in 2022 too, rather than the usual two of pre-pandemic years!
Kasukabe Eisa Festival
Eisa is a type of folk dance from Okinawa. It is a significant and intricate feature of Okinawa customs and cultures. The Kasukabe Eisa Festival gives attendees a chance to witness the unique style and the proud celebration of Okinawa’s revered tradition.
Before the pandemic, the Kasukabe Eisa festival was on for two days each June. This year, like last, it is on one day: Sunday June 4th. The festival hours are from 10 am to 4 pm, which is an hour shorter than pre-pandemic. The festival is on at Kasukabe’s “Fureai Cube”.
Things are still a little bit different, but there will be the usual eisa performances. There is normally other dance and music performances including Yosakoi and Taiko too. But currently they have not yet been confirmed for 2023. However, they have confirmed Ryukyu performances. They have also confirmed they will have the usual Okinawa festival stalls where you can purchase Okinawan food and drink. In addition, you can also try Shisa-lion making and don traditional Okinawan garments.
Information
Event: Kasukabe Eisa Festival 粕壁エイサーまつり (The Kasukabe kanji in the name is the old version from when there was a Kasukabe village 粕壁町)
Date: Sunday June 4th 2023
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: free to enter the venue, individual events (such as Shisa-lion making) may incur costs.
Venue: Fureai Cube, 1 Chome-1-7 Minami, Kasukabe, Saitama 344-0064. View on Google Maps.
Access
The festival area is about a five minute walk from the West exit of Tobu Line Kasukabe Station.
The official Facebook page and the official website.
For more events in Saitama, please see the main events category.
Editor’s note: this event post was temporarily off the website during the pandemic. It was updated on May 17th 2023 and scheduled to post on May 18th 2023.