🎎 Chichibu Night Festival

The Chichibu Night Festival, along with the Kyoto Gion Matsuri and the Hida Takayama Matsuri, is known as one of Japan's three major float festivals. During the mid-Edo period, while holding the festival, the Chichibu Shrine also hosted a silk weaving market called "Kinu Ooi." As the silk market brought economic prosperity to the area, the scale of the Chichibu Night Festival grew larger and larger. After several hundred years, it has now become a famous festival representing Japan, held on December 2nd (the eve of the festival) and December 3rd (the main festival day) each year. The most exciting highlight is the "big turn" of the floats during the parade, where the luxurious and splendid two kasaboko (decorative floats) and four yatai (food stalls) skillfully change direction at the corners. When the parade reaches Dango Slope, a burst of colorful fireworks competes to bloom in the winter night sky. The men pull the 20-ton heavy kasaboko and yatai up the slope, and at the moment the floats reach Dango Slope, the crowd erupts in thunderous cheers, elevating the festive atmosphere to a climax, creating a spectacular scene! Additionally, there are grand yatai bayashi music performances, shows, and dance performances on the yatai stage. The fireworks are also a must-see highlight, with about 5,000 fireworks launched over the two days of the festival. This dreamlike winter festival attracts around 340,000 visitors each year. During the event, over 800 stalls set up shop, heating up the atmosphere of the venue. Visitors can savor various local delicacies from Chichibu, such as grilled chicken skewers and miso potatoes. In 2016, the Chichibu Night Festival was registered as a "UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage," gaining increasing attention. If you have the opportunity to visit Chichibu, it is recommended to go in conjunction with the festival dates.

One of Japan's three major float festivals. A grand celebration attended by approximately 340,000 tourists each year. During the event, around 5,000 fireworks are launched! In 2016, it was registered as a "UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage." There are over 800 stalls, offering a variety of local delicacies from the Chichibu region.