Kanto · SaitamaFestival
Twelve towering floats converge for competitive drumming in a festival locals proudly call the greatest Gion in the Kanto region.
Overview
Held every year on fixed dates in Kumagaya, one of Saitama’s hottest cities, the Uchiwa Matsuri is billed as Kanto’s greatest Gion festival and draws huge summer crowds. Its name, meaning fan festival, comes from the round paper uchiwa once handed out to visitors.
The spectacle peaks when the town’s grand floats gather to trade thundering hayashi music in a face-off called the tatakiai.
When & Where
The festival is held on July 20, 21 and 22 every year, so in 2026 it runs across those dates, with the opening day falling on the Marine Day holiday. Events radiate from the area around JR Kumagaya Station’s north exit through the city centre.
Nearest station: JR Kumagaya Station.
Getting There
Kumagaya is about 40 minutes from Tokyo on the Takasaki Line, or even faster on the Shinkansen. The festival streets begin just outside the station’s north exit, so no further transport is needed. Trains can be crowded on festival evenings.
What to Expect
Twelve large dashi and yatai floats, richly decorated and lantern-lit, are pulled through the streets by day and gather at night for the tatakiai, where rival float teams play their hayashi drums and flutes as loudly and skilfully as they can. The combined sound and light of the massed floats is the festival’s signature moment.
Tickets & Access
Admission is free. Food stalls and fan-giving keep the streets busy; bring cash for snacks and drinks in the heat.
Tips for Visitors
The climactic float gathering is an evening event, so plan to stay after dark for the tatakiai. Kumagaya routinely records some of Japan’s highest summer temperatures, so hydrate constantly and use the shade during the day.
Access and Map
| Dates | July 20–22, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | City centre around JR Kumagaya Station north exit, Kumagaya, Saitama |
| Access | Just outside JR Kumagaya Station (Takasaki Line / Shinkansen), north exit |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri (official) |
Source: Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri (official)
Image: Photo: Natalia / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
