Iwatsuki is stepping into the world of yokai for the very first time. With a brand-new cultural event the “Bewitching Moon, Part 1: Pleasures of the Long Moon Night”. It takes place at the Iwatsuki Station East Exit Crescent Mall. It is on Friday, September 4th, 2026. The event blendsRead More →
This summer fireworks festival may sound really cool on paper, but please note that it is a local type festival with a modest firework display. It is best suited to people who live in the area. This two-day community festival celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It is on FridayRead More →
I share this festival information for Warabi locals. This is not a large, touristy festival, it is very much a community type festival for people in the area. But it does close with a modest fireworks display. Moreover, it is one of the last chances to dance the Bon Odori!Read More →
A brand-new family attraction has arrived in Saitama this summer. On August 12th, 2026, the Kobito Museum (こびとはくぶつかん) officially opened inside Aeon LakeTown Mori, bringing the whimsical world of Kobitozukan to life through an immersive, hands-on exhibition. It is the first permanent immersive exhibtion dedicated to Kobitozukan in Japan. PerfectRead More →
The East Iwatsuki Summer Festival returns in 2026 with a full day of community performances, children’s activities, traditional dance, and the beloved portable shrine procession. This year is especially meaningful: both the adult mikoshi and the children’s mikoshi are participating, reviving a tradition that brings generations together.It’s a warm, localRead More →
The Saitama Children’s Zoo (Saitama Children’s Animal Nature Park) in Takasaka (Higashimatsuyama) took a break from their popular night zoo event for four years in a row due to the pandemic. It came back in 2024 but in September rather than summer like before. It has been on in SeptemberRead More →
The Miyashiro Town / Citizen Festival is a lively two day festival annually in August. It is most often on the last weekend of August, but in 2026 (as in 2025) it will be on the second last weekend. Miyashiro is best known for being the home to Tobu ZooRead More →
There are three different summer events in the Hoshikawa area of Kumagaya on August 16th annually, for Obon. Two are traditional and one is a more modern event for children. They are all on Hoshikawa Street. The three festivals and additional events are the: 1. Water Splash Festival The WaterRead More →
The Shiraoka Festival is on each year in summer. This year will be the 34th occurrence of the festival. It is a local festival supported by local industry and the community. Last year, 2025, the festival was scaled down considerably, but this year it is more like a usual year.Read More →
Each year in summer Tobu Hybrid / Amusement Park, aka Tobu Zoo, have special events on. The most popular is the ‘super pool‘. But the night zoo is also very popular. We’ve been to the night zoo a few times in recent years and really enjoy it. It’s not aboutRead More →