The Washinomiya (formerly Washimiya) Yasakasai (鷲宮八坂祭) is the official grand summer Tennō‑sama festival of the Washinomiya district of Kuki. According to Kuki city’s official description, Tennō‑sama is a ritual meant to calm Gozu Tennō, a deity associated with summer epidemics and natural disasters, ensuring protection for the community during the hottest months. It is a festival with deep roots and a uniquely atmospheric charm. Held every year on the fourth Sunday of July, it marks the height of summer in Kuki City. For many visitors, the highlight is the Lucky Star Mikoshi (portable shrine, pictured above) – one of the very few portable shrines in Japan dedicated to anime characters.
Washinomiya Summer Festival – Yasakasai
The festival is known locally as simply “Yasakasai”. It is one of the oldest summer festivals in Kuki with a history of more than 170 years. On the day, they separate it into two parts – day and night. Both are centered around the Washinomiya Shrine Street Shopping District. During the day, from 12.30 to 4 pm, the festival features the lively procession of ningyō‑dashi (traditional doll floats) pulled through the streets. As evening arrives, the floats transform – glowing with rows of lanterns, accompanied by the rhythmic pulse of flutes, taiko drums, and kane, filling the warm summer night with unmistakable festival music. The evening part is from 6.45 pm to 9.30 pm. As a traditional Tenno-sama ritual festival rather than a commercial festival, there may not be many festival stalls. Shops may open, but it is not a stall-heavy matsuri.
If you are a Lucky Star fan, be sure to keep your eye out for the Lucky Star Manhole covers in the area, like the one pictured below. And visiting Washinomiya Shrine is a must, where you will find, among other things, Lucky Star ’ema’ wooden prayer plaques.
There is also a separate Washinomiya Shrine Festival on July 31st annually. Information for that here.
Event Details
Event: Washinomiya Yasakasai (Tenno-sama) 鷲宮八坂祭(天王様)
Date: Sunday July 26th, 2026
Time: from 12.30 to 4 pm and again from 6.45 pm to 9.30 pm.
Cost: there is no admission fee.
Venue: Washinomiya Shrine Street Shopping District, 鷲宮神社通り商店街, 1-chōme-5 Washinomiya, Kuki, Saitama 340-0217. View on Google Maps.
Access: it takes less than 10 minutes on foot from Washinomiya Station, on the Tobu Isesaki Line. There is no parking for this event and the organizers request that you come on foot.
Editor’s note: information for this festival was contained within the Washinomiya Shrine post until 2026 when I moved it to an event post of its own.