The weather and the festival season are warming up here in Japan! While most festivals take place after children get their summer holidays in the middle of July, there are a few held in early July. Here are the main festivals being held in Saitama, beside Tokyo, the weekend of July 10th to 12th.
Fukaya Tanabata Festival
July 10th – 12th
The colours in Fukaya are magnificent as the streets don thousands of coloured streamers. There are different highlights for each day of the 3 weekend celebration of Tanabata.
Takes place close to Fukaya Station.
Flyer from the official website: http://www.fukaya-ta.com/matsuritanabatamatsuri/
Kasukabe Festival
July 11th & 12th
The town of Crayon Shinchan comes to life with portable shrines and floats, music, dance and booths with food and games. Around the South exit of Kasukabe station. Image taken from the official website: http://www.kasukabe-cci.or.jp/sightseeing/
Hanyu Festival
July 11th
Like many of the summer festivals throughout the Japan this festival has a portable shrine, music, dance and food stalls.
Image taken from the official website: http://www.city.hanyu.lg.jp/docs/2014072400024/
Konosu Matsuri
July 12th
14.30 -21.00 A “mikoshi” which is a portable shrine weighing tons is carried 3 kilometres by a number of people down “heaven’s path” . They even have a small portable shrine that children carry. This event takes place 5 minutes from Konosu station.
From official website: http://www.konosu-kanko.jp/
Urawa Music Parade and Dance
July 12th
The music parade is from 13.30 to 15.30 and the “Urawa dance” is from 16.30-21.00. Many of the performers are school students and school bands. Access from Urawa Station West Exit.
From STIB Saitama official Tourist website: http://www.stib.jp/
Kuki Lantern Festival / Tenno Festival
July 12th (and again on July 18th)
This festival celebrates local folklore and is famous throughout Japan. Huge floats of paper lanterns are carried through the town.
From the official festival website: http://kuki.jpn.org/main/kankoukyoukai/maturi/
MORE FESTIVALS COMING NEXT WEEK!
Very good to know (^_^) We’ll try to catch at least one of the festivals this summer
Us too. If it stays this cool, it will be manageable, but if it gets really hot like normal I’m not sure little miss 8 month old will be up for it! 🙂
THank you for commenting. <3
I can imagine… I really am not made for heat and I wouldn’t survive a hot day, either 😉
Me too! But I bear it for festivals. I think I’ve acclimatised a little in the last 15 years, but not nearly enough. Every year August almost kills me. 🙂
Well, then I’ll have yet some years ahead of me (just came here in March). I think the only month I haven’t been in Japan on all my trips is August… ô_O
Yikes, get ready!! We can do it!
I might hit you up for some survival tricks 😉
Japan loves its festivals doesnt it!
Haha, it certainly does…and we love them back. 🙂
So many things to do! I wish Phuket had so much to do! Maybe we should move to Japan 🙂
I think that is a FUN-TASTIC idea!!! Can you imagine the adventures you would have here.