Chichibu Night Festival: Japan’s Dazzling Winter Celebration of Floats and Fireworks
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A winter night of lanterns, floats, and fireworks—this is the Chichibu Night Festival.
Every December, in the cold silence of a mountain town, the streets of Chichibu suddenly glow with warmth. Towering floats decorated with brilliant carvings and lit by countless lanterns roll through the night, while the soft light of paper lamps chases away the chill of winter.
It is a traditional festival that turns a quiet December evening into a dazzling celebration, warming hearts with light, music, and community spirit.
Now, let’s take a closer look at this unforgettable celebration.
What Is the Chichibu Night Festival?
Every year from December 1 to 6, the mountain town of Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture—just about 90 minutes from Tokyo—comes alive with the Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri). It’s one of Japan’s most exciting winter festivals, and the best time to see it is on December 2 and 3.
December 2: Yoimiya (The Eve Festival)
The night before the main event is filled with excitement. At Chichibu Shrine, traditional rituals and kagura dance performances take place, while four of the gorgeous floats make their first appearance. Pulled through the town, they shine with lantern light and bring warmth to the chilly December air. Later in the evening, a sacred ritual called the Banbamachi Suwa Watari is held, along with a small fireworks display that gives a taste of the big night ahead.
December 3: Taisai (The Grand Festival)
This is the main day of the festival—and the most spectacular. The huge kasaboko floats and other beautifully decorated floats are pulled through the streets, joined by rituals, dances, and offerings at the shrine.
In the evening, the impressive Shinkosai Procession begins. Sacred spirits are carried in mikoshi (portable shrines) from Chichibu Shrine to the Otabisho (a temporary sacred site). Six massive floats, some weighing up to 20 tons, follow along. One of the most exciting moments is when these floats are pulled up the steep slope of Dangozaka Hill, while dazzling fireworks burst across the winter sky. It’s the dramatic finale that everyone waits for.
With over 300 years of history, the Chichibu Night Festival is a mix of tradition, community spirit, and breathtaking sights. Because of its cultural value, it was also added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2016, together with other traditional Japanese float festivals.
History and Origins
Now, let’s take a closer look at the stories and traditions that gave birth to this dazzling celebration.
The Festival’s Roots: Connection with Chichibu Shrine
The Chichibu Night Festival is deeply connected to the history of Chichibu Shrine, a sacred site that has been worshiped for more than 2,000 years.
The shrine is dedicated to Yagokoro-omoikane-no-Mikoto, the Shinto deity of wisdom and guidance. According to legend, the ancient local ruler Chichibuhiko-no-Mikoto enshrined this deity as the guardian of the region. He is also said to have taught the people sericulture (silk farming) and weaving—skills that later became the foundation of Chichibu’s prosperity.
In gratitude for these blessings and the region’s prosperity, people began holding the annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine. This sacred celebration is what gave birth to the tradition now known as the Chichibu Night Festival.
The Birth of a Float Festival
During the Edo period (1603–1868), the Chichibu Night Festival began to take shape in its present form.
At that time, Chichibu Silk had become famous across Japan, and bustling silk markets brought many merchants and travelers to the town. To welcome and entertain these visitors, the townspeople started parading lavishly decorated floats through the streets.
This tradition grew year after year, and thus the spectacular festival we know today as the Chichibu Night Festival was born.
In this way, the Chichibu Night Festival is a blend of gratitude to the shrine’s deity and the warm hospitality of the people of Chichibu toward those who visit their town.
Highlights of the Chichibu Night Festival
The Chichibu Night Festival is not only a spiritual celebration but also a joyful event that excites all five senses.
Here are some of the highlights that make this festival so special.
1. Majestic Floats (Yatai and Kasaboko)
The festival’s stars are the six massive floats, including the towering kasaboko halberd floats and the lavishly decorated yatai floats. Here are some of the unique features of these massive floats:
- Built using traditional Japanese joinery techniques, they are assembled without a single nail.
- Golden ornaments, brightly painted wood carvings, and embroidered curtains of shimmering silk thread make each float a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
- Their grandeur, glowing with lanterns and paper lamps, creates a breathtaking sight as they parade through the streets—especially when pulled up the steep Dangozaka Hill.
2. Winter Fireworks
Unlike most fireworks in Japan, which are held in summer, Chichibu offers a rare treat: fireworks in December. Here’s what makes the fireworks at this festival truly special:
- Around 5,000 fireworks light up the crisp winter sky in vibrant colors.
- The dazzling display, combined with the glowing floats decorated with lanterns and bonbori (paper lights), creates a magical scene that feels unique to this festival.
3. Festival Food and Atmosphere
With more than 100 food stalls, the festival is also a paradise for food lovers.
Visitors can enjoy both local specialties and classic festival favorites:
- Local flavors: miso potato (fried potato with sweet miso sauce), hearty okkirikomi noodles (thick noodles simmered in a rich broth with seasonal vegetables such as taro and daikon), and regional sake such as Bukō Masamune and Chichibu Nishiki.
- Festival classics: fried chicken, french fries, yakisoba, and other street foods.
The lively mix of food, music, and cheering crowds keeps everyone’s spirits high, even on a chilly December night.
How to Experience the Festival
Thinking about joining the Chichibu Night Festival yourself?
If so, here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Festival Dates
The festival runs every year from December 1 to 6, but the main events take place on December 2 (Yoimiya) and December 3 (Taisai).
If you want to catch the floats, fireworks, and the biggest celebrations, be sure to plan your trip around these two days.
Getting to Chichibu
- By train: From Tokyo Station, take the JR Yamanote Line (about 25 minutes) or the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line (about 20 minutes) to Ikebukuro Station. From Ikebukuro, the most convenient route is the Seibu Railway Limited Express "Laview" to Seibu-Chichibu Station (around 80–90 minutes). From Seibu-Chichibu Station, the festival area is about a 15-minute walk.
Tips for Visitors
- Arrive early: The streets get very crowded, especially in the evening when the floats and fireworks begin.
- Dress warmly: December nights in Chichibu can be very cold. Bring a thick coat, gloves, and a scarf so you can enjoy the festival comfortably.
- Stay overnight if possible: Accommodation in Chichibu is limited, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the atmosphere without rushing back to Tokyo.
With a little planning—and warm clothes—you can enjoy one of Japan’s most unforgettable winter festivals like a local. Why not make the magical scenes of the Chichibu Night Festival a memory to treasure forever?
Conclusion: A Night of Lights, Tradition, and Warmth
The Chichibu Night Festival is not only a winter highlight—it is a living tradition that has been cherished for centuries. It is a living tradition that blends sacred rituals, breathtaking floats, dazzling fireworks, and the warm spirit of the people of Chichibu.
For over 300 years, this celebration has lit up the cold December nights, bringing together history, folklore, and community pride. You might come to admire the lavishly decorated floats, gaze in awe at the brilliant fireworks lighting up the winter sky, or sample the wide variety of festival foods—but no matter how you experience it, the Chichibu Night Festival is certain to leave you with unforgettable memories.
If you’re visiting Japan in December, why not add Chichibu to your journey? The magical scenes of the Chichibu Night Festival may become one of your most treasured memories of Japan.