Information for the annual Tatara Festival, a popular summer festival, in Kawaguchi City.
Tatara Festival
The Tatara festival is the largest annual festival in Kawaguchi with over 160 festival stalls and approximately 150,000 people attending. There are stage events, a bazaar and children’s mikoshi, but the highlight of the festival is the fireworks. They were sorely missed the last three years. In 2019 three major changes were made to the festival. Moreover, in 2023, they will have nagashi-odori, kind of like synchronized dancing, for the first time in five years! The festival wasn’t on in 2020 or 2021 and in 2022 there were once again changes. However, in 2023, they have changed it yet again, possibly a tactic to reduce the number of festival goers!
Changes to the Tatara Festival in 2023
The first big change is the date. The date also changed in both 2019 and 2022. But this time it is a really big change – from the usual August to JULY. In 2023, the Tatara Festival will be on Saturday July 29th and Sunday July 30th. I think this is the first time it is ever being held in July.
The location has also been switched twice in recent years. However, in 2023, the festival will be held at the usual Kawaguchi Autorace site. But, they are currently renovating part of the site and have said that they may restrict the number of people they let in.
However, good news in that the fireworks are back for the first time in four years. In celebration of 90 years since the inauguration of Kawaguchi City, they are planning to have the popular fireworks display at the festival in 2023. Furthermore, they have said that it will be a bigger display than normal.
Information
Event: Tatara Festival たたら祭り
Dates: Saturday July 29th and Sunday July 30th 2023
Time: from around 10 am to late at night!
Venue: Kawaguchi Autorace, 5 Chome-21-1 Aoki, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0031. Plus Code: RP9F+JV Kawaguchi, Saitama. On Google Maps.
Access
There used to be a free shuttle bus to the event area at the autoraces from Kawaguchi, Nishikawaguchi, Warabi and Hatogaya stations. However, the service may not be available in 2023 due to the pandemic. As of June 30th 2023, they have not yet released detailed information.
Official website, which has very limited information as of June 30th 2023.
Find even more summer festivals in Saitama Prefecture here.
The information was up to date and accurate to the best of my knowledge at the timing of updating on June 30th 2023.
wow. that is a BIG festival!