Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri) 2026 Confirmed

秩父夜祭 — Chichibu, Saitama (Kanto)

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The Chichibu Night Festival is the annual festival of Chichibu Shrine, peaking on the night of December 3, when six lantern-covered floats (kasaboko and yatai) are hauled through the town to thunderous drumming while winter fireworks burst overhead. Kabuki is performed on the floats, and the procession ends at a hill called Otabisho facing Mount Buko.

Background

The float events grew in the late Edo to Taisho periods around the shrine's night procession, which carries on an ancient form of worship of the local mountain. The festival is a National Important Tangible and Intangible Folk Cultural Property and part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage. Local legend says the festival night is when the shrine's goddess meets the god of Mount Buko.

Getting there

Seibu-Chichibu Station (Seibu limited express from Ikebukuro) and Chichibu Station on the Chichibu Railway are in the town centre.

Tips

• December 2 is the eve (yoimatsuri); December 3 is the main night with the float procession and fireworks. In 2026 they fall on a Wednesday and Thursday.
• The town is packed on December 3 and trains back to Tokyo are crowded late at night — reserve Seibu limited express seats early or stay in Chichibu.
• It gets cold in the Chichibu basin in December; dress warmly for a long night outside.

Last verified against the official source: Sat, September 26, 2026