For more than half a century, the Toda Furusato Festival has been one of the highlights of summer in Toda City. Traditionally held in August, the beloved community festival has been a fixture of the city calendar for generations. This year, however, brings one of the biggest changes in theRead More →
A summer festival, moved to Autumn! Moreover, they have actually renamed the festival; previously known as the Kumagaya Air Base Summer Evening Festival, from 2026 it is called Kumagaya Air Base Autumn Evening Festival 熊谷基地 秋の夕べ. Saitama Prefecture is home to two of the Air Forces bases. This one inRead More →
Sakado Yosakoi is relatively famous. It is one of the largest yosakoi events in the Kanto plain (Greater Tokyo Area). Until last year, there were two each year. One in summer and one in autumn. The two were completely separate to the point that they each have their own website.Read More →
The highlight of the Iwatsuki Festival is human dolls! Every year I am concerned for those dolls, because the traditional Hina doll robes are uncomforable at the best of times. But I just can’t imagine how hot it is for them in the middle of August when the humidity isRead More →
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Omiya Garrison (Base / JGSDF Camp Ōmiya) will once again host its lively Summer Evening Festival this year. However, in September rather than in actual summer. No doubt to avoid the blistering heat of August. It is an annual community event filled with food stalls,Read More →
Information for two ‘summer’ festivals near Kasumigaseki and Matoba train stations. However, this year, the annual “Kahokusai” with a Night Fair, in the Kakuei Shopping District (Kasumigaseki, Kawagoe) is on in October. The second, Kakuei Homes Summer Festival, on in neighboring Isehara-cho, will be on in August as usual. However,Read More →
Shiraoka’s much‑loved Pokka Poka Summer Festival returns for its 20th year, bringing food stalls, stage performances, family-friendly fun, and a small fireworks finale. Held at the Pokka Pokka Care Facility in Uenoda, the festival is known for drawing large crowds, lively performances, and a warm, community-first atmosphere. This year’s eventRead More →
Each year, one of the last festivals of Saitama City’s ‘summer’ festivals is the Kita Urawa Awa Odori. Awa Odori, or Awa dance, a type of traditional dance. Groups of choreographed dancers wear traditional obon dance costumes, chanting and singing as they parade through the streets of Urawa. Awa OdoriRead More →
Miyoshi Festival and fireworks – I haven’t been in many years, but for a number of years in a row we attended this local festival in Miyoshi town beside Tokorozawa. The featured photo at the top of the post was taken on my last visit to the festival, in 2007!Read More →
Information for the annual Tatara Festival (with fireworks), a popular summer festival, in Kawaguchi City. However, in 2026, the festival has been moved to Autumn – the last weekend of September. Reportedly, this is to avoid the extreme heat we have been experiencing in summer, in recent years. The festivalRead More →