Waratetsu is a pretty well known railway festival, for children, in Warabi City. It is usually on for two days in early or mid July each year. But it was cancelled during the pandemic. However, it is back in 2023 and is coming up this weekend…
Waratetsu Festival
During the two day festival there are several events, crafts and train and railway workshops. A highlight of the festival for many children is the mini shinkansen (bullet train) that they can ride. Please note that in 2023 it will only be there on the Saturday (July 15th), between 10 am and 3 pm. You need to get a participation ticket to ride the train. They start distributing them at 10 am and stop at 2 pm (or before if they run out). They usually have some costumes out for kids to wear while they ride the bullet train. However, that is not mentioned in the 2023 line up.
On both days they have a selection of plarail out for the kids to play with. There is also workshops, photo booths and exhibitions. There is no admission to Kururu, where the event is held, but there is a charge for the workshops. They cost 200 yen per child.
Information
Event: Waratetsu Festival わらてつまつり
Date: Saturday July 15th and Sunday July 16th 2023
Time: from 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: no admission fee, but workshops cost 200 yen (for materials) and there may also be individual charges for other events.
Venue: Kururu, 1-chōme-7 Chūō, Warabi, Saitama 335-0004. View on Google Maps.
Access
Kururu is located in the Warabi Culture Hall beside Warabi Station. Warabi Station is on the Keihin-Tohoku line.
Find even more events on this July in Saitama Prefecture here.
Editor’s note: This post was temporarily removed from the website during the pandemic as the event was cancelled.
A RAILWAY festival???? Now you’re talking!