Exciting news for the Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily (Lycoris / Higanbana) Festival this year; and currently, insaitama.com is the exclusive English‑language source sharing it.
Kinchakuda is synonymous with “manjushage” red spider lilies in Saitama. Furthermore, it is the most famous of the three red spider lily festivals of Saitama. Moreover, the carpet of spiny red flowers is one of the most famous autumn scenes in all of Japan. There are also several other notable manjushage colonies in various locations around Saitama. But Kinchakuda is by far the largest (not just in Saitama, but all of Japan) with FIVE MILLION red spider lilies. This post contains information for the festival AND updates on the condition of the flowers, as well as exclusive information – including the exciting news for 2026 – that you will not find elsewhere online in the English language.
Red spider lilies (Lycoris Radiata) are called Higanbana or Manjushage in Japanese. In Kinchakuda they are most commonly called “manjushage”. The famous red spider lilies in Kinchakuda in Hidaka bloom from about mid September. They set the date for the corresponding festival close to the time of their expected bloom. Generally, the best time to view the flowers is around a week after the flowers are officially declared open.
Red Spider Lily Festival Kinchakuda
The spider lily festival generally starts around the middle of September and usually runs until the end of September. They judge the festival dates on expected period of bloom. Until around 2012 the manjushage typically bloomed from silver week with full bloom at the end of September into early October. However in recent years, the pattern is not so fixed. The official festival period is from public holiday Monday 21st September to Tuesday October 6th. Please note that the festival period and the the period they charge into the park are different. In 2026, they are currently planning to charge from Wednesday September 17th according to the Hidaka Tourism Association.
The festival attracts thousands of visitors. They have festival stalls, throughout the festival period, in the open courtyard in the middle of the spider lilies. There are usually about 20 stalls. They are not all food stalls, some are selling handmade goods or local produce. In addition, the free shuttle bus is back since 2023, but just five days. However, in 2026 it will run on seven days (see access paragraph).
There are normally live stage performances as well. Moreover, you can see a saruwamashi traditional Japanese monkey performance, occasionally during the festival. The photo above was taken at the Kinchakuda spider lily festival in 2022. Unfortunately, there is no fixed schedule for the performances.
Kinchakuda Manjushage Park
BIG SURPRISE NEWS FOR KINCHAKUDA IN 2026
Spider Lily Light Up Open to all for the first time
For the first time ever, the spider lily light up will be open to everyone. Moreover, it is free. However, you need to book it in advance, according to the official press release. As of August 30th 2026, the booking portal is not yet open. The dates have the light up have been confirmed though, and this year it will be on five nights, for the first time. That is Thursday September 24th, Friday 25th, and daily from Monday 28th to Wednesday 30th September 2026, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Until this year, it was only open to Hidaka Residents and it was only on two nights. Past light-ups (such as in 2024 and 2025) were carbon-neutral trials strictly limited to a small pool of local residents via a lottery system. However, according to the official press releases issued on August 21st, 2026, the 2026 Kinchakuda Manjushage Park light-up has been expanded to the general public. But they have yet to provide the details on how to book it. Watch this space!
Chestnut Festival
The Hidaka Kuri (Chestnut) Festival is held on one day during the period of bloom of the spider lilies. In 2026 the 8th annual Chestnut Festival is on Sunday October 4th from 9 am to 2 pm. Highlights of the festival include the “Chestnut Grab” and “Kuri-Kuri Smart Ball”. They also sell chestnuts, a specialty of Hidaka City, at the festival.
Visiting the Manjushage
Generally, they say the best time of day to get a good picture is around 10 am in the morning. The star in the picture below is one of the prime viewing spots. East of that by the Do-re-mi-fa bridge or on the North east edge of the bridge and also under Aiai bridge are key locations. More detailed general information about the park, including the stable tragedy, in English here. Drones, tripods, monopods, and even light stands are strictly forbidden.
Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily Festival Information
Event: Kinchakuda Red Spider Lily festival 2026 巾着田曼珠沙華まつり
Dates: from public holiday Monday 21st September to Tuesday October 6th 2026. They also charge into the park outside that official period. In 2026, they are currently planning to charge into the park from Wednesday September 17th (subject to change).
Light-up: for the first time it is on 7 nights and not just for Hidaka residents: Thursday September 24th, Friday 25th, and daily from Monday 28th to Wednesday 30th September 2026. However, you have to book in advance. Booking portal and further information not yet available.
Time: the festival is on from 9 am to 4.30 pm, but you can pay to enter the colony area from 7 am to 5 pm. (Light up is from 6 pm to 8 pm – please see three paragraphs up)
Cost: The entry fee is 500 yen. That is the charge for adults, there is no charge for children under 16 years old. There is also a 500 yen charge for parking a standard passenger car during the period of the festival. Buses cost 3000 yen.
Location: Kinchakuda (Kinchakuda Manjushage Park), 125-2 Komahongo, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1251. Map near the bottom of the post.
Kinchakuda Access
Free shuttle bus: the free park-and-ride shuttle bus goes from the parking lot of Koma shrine. It runs on September 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 27th, October 3rd and 4th. Generally, there is one every 30 minutes between 9 am and 4.30 pm.
By public transport: 15 minute walk from Seibu Ikebukuro Line’s Koma Station.
By car: the colony is about a18 minute drive from Tsurugashima Interchange of Kanetsu Expressway. Parking costs 500 yen for the day. The parking lot is open from 7 am to 5 pm. Awaiting information on whether it will be open to registered participants of the light up event. Please note that the car park is always extremely busy during the prime viewing period, even on a weekday. It is not uncommon to have to wait to get into the car park and to queue to get back out!
Nearby
On the edge of the park is an ORGANIC CAFE AND SHOP Alishan Organic Center to grab a bite or pick up some foreign healthy produce. Koma Shrine and the stunning Shoden-in are both a short drive from the park. If you are driving, you can also pick up a fresh ice-cream at Kato Farm too!
Information on the official Hidaka City webpage.
Where can I see red spider lilies, Higanbana, near Tokyo?
Kinchakuda (Hidaka) and Gongendo park (Satte) are the two most famous places you can see red spider lilies near Tokyo and in the Kanto region. Both are in Saitama prefecture, just north of Tokyo. However, there is a third at the Terasaka Terraced Rice Fields, also in Saitama (Yokoze in Chichibu), which is a little more remote and off the tourist trail. It has 2 million red spider lily. In addition, there is another location relatively close to Tokyo, but with less visitors: spider lilies in Yoshimi.
First published in 2015, updated annually. Last republished with new URL on August 30th 2026. The festival was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021, they even cut the flowers down to stop people visiting. The festival went ahead in 2022.