The Takedera Night Festival began as a new summer project just four years ago. The focus is the beautiful bamboo lanterns, but the highlight is the firework display. In addition to the bamboo lantern and fireworks display, there is also traditional dance and there will be food trucks on the grounds of the temple.
Takedera Night Festival
Takedera, the bamboo temple, is a prestigious temple in an ethereal setting in the mountains of Hanno City. It is more than a 1000 years old. Each year around Obon they have always had a special event with bamboo lanterns. But since 2023 it is a lively night festival culminating with a firework display.
This year, the night festival is on Sunday August 16th from 4 pm to 8 pm. The fireworks are from 7.30 pm. As above, you can enjoy traditional dancing at this festival. They dance the Chichibu Ondo, a dance with its own festival annually on August 14th in Minano. There are food trucks there in the day and a stall selling, among other things, Takesasa soba and udon. If you can pick up a flyer for the event, there is a 100 yen discount coupon for the soba and udon.
Event Details
Event: Takedera Night Festival 2026 第４回 竹寺夜祭り
Date: Sunday August 16th 2026
Time: from 4 pm to 8 pm
Cost: there is no admission fee
Venue: Takedera, the bamboo temple, 704 Minami, Hanno, Saitama 357-0214, Japan. View on Google maps.
Access: there is only parking for 50 cars, but they will have a free shuttle bus on the day. However, you must book it in advance. The phone number for booking is on the official event page, linked below. This temple is very hard to get to by public transport or on foot by night. It is highly recommended you book the bus if you want to visit this festival.