For the first time in four years, there will be a summer festival at the west gate of Omiya Station in 2023. Last year, there was no festival, but they did display the portable shrine (mikoshi) at the station on July 31st. Because this festival is celebrated on July 31st annually, no matter what day of the week it is.
Omiya West Gate Summer Festival
This festival is just one of dozens celebrated in Saitama City annually. This fun and lively summer festival is ideal for kids as it has a “Children’s Summer Festival Space”. The children’s summer festival space is open to children over three years of age from 5.45 pm to 7.30 pm.Within that area, which holds up to 500 kids, there are children’s festival games such as hoop throwing, bowling, a quiz corner and more. They also have children’s much beloved kakigori (shaved ice).
The main festival has parades, mikoshi (portable shrine), live music, dance including yosakoi as well as festival stalls and more. This festival is usually on the day before the Spark Carnival and is managed by the same festival committee. Many of the Saitama City festivals have a back up day in case of rain, but this festival doesn’t. But it usually goes ahead in the case of light rain.
Information
Event: Omiya West Gate Summer Festival 大宮夏まつり 西口夏まつり
Date: July 31st annually
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Admission: free (individual games and activities in the children’s festival space incur costs)
Venue: Around the West Exit of Omiya Station, 1 Chome Sakuragicho, Omiya Ward, Saitama, 330-0854. View on Google Maps.
Access
From the West exit of Omiya Station, which is both a public and private station for JR East, Tobu Railway and Saitama New Urban Transit railway companies.
A small sample of some of the other festivals on in Saitama City this summer: