Saitama Wabi Sabi Festival – Wabi Sabi is a two day cultural festival held in Omiya park annually since 2017. However, in 2020, on account of the Coronavirus outbreak it was held online and just for one day. Thankfully in 2021 its somewhat back to “normal”. The event will be held in Omiya Park once again and for two days. But it will be on a smaller scale than usual. However, you can still witness and even experience dozens of “Japan only” customs and cultures, arts and crafts.
The dates of the Saitama Wabi Sabi Festival in 2021 are Saturday November 20th and Sunday November 21st. On Saturday the festival will be on from 10 am to 7 pm. And on Sunday it will be on from 10 am to 4 pm.
Saitama Wabi Sabi Festival Highlights usually include
Some of the highlights from 2017 to 2019
- Live performances of traditional music such as Taiko, Koto and Shamisen
- Traditional Japanese performances such as shishimae and dezome
- Japanese swords and sword smithing
- Kabuki
- Festival floats
- Bonsai and bonsai workshops
- Ikebana class
- Dress up in kimono or as a samurai
This is just a very small sample. You can enjoy dozens of traditional Japanese arts, crafts, culture and more at the annual festival. Please note that generally live performances are free while many of the workshops are charged. Also, some of the workshops require advance registration. You can find a full list on the official website linked in the “information” section at the bottom of the post.
“The Japanese Culture of Saitama Gathers at Omiya Park”
Information
Date: Saturday November 20th 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday November 21st 10 am to 4 pm
Location: Omiya Park (map below)
Official website – I’ve removed the link as it appears that the official website was been hijacked… or sold! There is a possibility that the Wabunka Festa is replacing Wabi Sabi in 2022.
Saitama Wabi Sabi Festival Access
The festival is held in Omiya Park which is near Omiya Station. In a normal year, around 30,000 people participate in the festival over the two days. As a result, they discourage parking on the days of this festival. However, they usually run free shuttle buses. When they run the bus, it goes in a loop from Omiya station to Omiya Park to the Bonsai Museum. There is currently no mention of a free loop bus in 2021.
The bus schedule in a regular year:
The bus starts from 9.30 at Omiya station east exit rotary and does the loop every half hour. From Omiya Park the loop starts at 10 am and then every half hour. Again – there doesn’t appear to be a loop bus in 2021.
More information on Omiya Park:
All images within the article are from the Official Website – same as above; as the official website has been hijacked, I’ve removed the link. I took the featured image “Wabi Sabi” from The Marmot, on Flickr (open license).
how wonderful that this sort of thing is able to held again!