Sakitama Fire Festival – The Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds are in Gyoda city. The Burial Mounds are part of what is called the Sakitama Kofun Cluster, a nationally designated historical site. Saitama prefecture “Saitama” actually gets its name from these regions: Sakitama being the old version of Saitama! There is an ongoing project to restore the site to how it would have looked when it was first constructed centuries ago.
More detailed information here about the burial mounds at Sakitama Kofun Park in Gyoda.
Golden week event at Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds
There are different events on during Golden Week. One popular event is dressing up in period costumes. However, the highlight is definitely the fire festival:
Sakitama Fire Festival
There are several fire festivals held around Saitama Prefecture throughout the year. But what makes the Sakitama fire festival special is a number of features that are rare. For example, as part of the festival a “princess” is carried on an old fashioned palanquin. The torch bearers are also dressed up in unusual period costume . And the fire is lit on the famous mounds of the park, which creates a rare and stunning sight.
Before the pandemic the festival always culminated with a (small) fireworks display of starmines. The fireworks came back in 2025 and they have confirmed them for 2026 too (weather permitting). Since last year (2025) this is now a full day event, from 10 am. There are stage performances scheduled from 12 noon. There will be food trucks at the relatively new cafe, near the museum. The main, traditional events are from 5 pm this year, with the fireworks at around 7.40 pm.
Information
Event: Sakitama Fire Festival 2026 第41回さきたま火祭り
Date: Public Holiday May 4th annually
Time: from 10 am to 8 pm in 2026
Cost: there is no admission fee
Venue: Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds (Sakitama Ancient Tombs Park),
Access: a loop bus goes from Gyoda station to Sakitama Kofun Mae bus stop. However, it only runs a few times a day. However, they will have a special free shuttle bus on the day, from Kita Konosu station. There is also a free shuttle bus from Kodai Hasu no Sato, so you can park there, subject to availability, if you come by car.
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