Kanto · ChibaFestival
Towering floats topped with giant figures roll through an Edo-era canal town in a festival recognised by UNESCO.
Overview
The autumn Sawara Grand Festival is the Suwa Shrine festival of Sawara, a beautifully preserved merchant town in Katori, Chiba, whose canal-side streetscape still evokes the Edo period. It is part of the UNESCO-listed group of Japanese float festivals and one of the Kanto region’s finest.
Its giant wheeled floats, crowned with towering figures of legendary and historical characters, are hauled through the old town to haunting Sawara-bayashi music.
When & Where
The 2026 autumn festival is held on October 11 and 12, centred on the Shinmachi district around Suwa Shrine and the streets beside the Ono River.
Nearest station: JR Sawara Station.
Getting There
Sawara is reached on the JR Narita Line, roughly 1.5 hours from central Tokyo with a change at Narita. From Sawara Station it is a 10 to 15 minute walk to the historic district where the floats parade. The preserved townscape is a pleasure to explore on foot.
What to Expect
More than a dozen tall floats, each topped by a huge doll-like figure, are pulled through narrow lanes and lined up along the canal. Teams perform slow turns and manoeuvres to the distinctive flutes and drums of Sawara-bayashi, and the floats are lit in the evening for a different mood.
Tickets & Access
Admission is free. The old town’s sake breweries, historic shops and river boat rides make an excellent complement to the festival.
Tips for Visitors
Wander the canal district by day for the townscape, then return in the evening when the illuminated floats gather. Comfortable shoes help on the cobbled lanes, and the riverside is the classic spot for photographs.
Access and Map
| Dates | October 11–12, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Shinmachi district around Suwa Shrine, Sawara, Katori, Chiba |
| Access | 10–15 min walk from JR Sawara Station (Narita Line) |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Katori City (Sawara Grand Festival) |
Source: Katori City (Sawara Grand Festival)
Image: Photo: katorisi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)
