Saitama · Chichibu
Chichibu Night Festival
秩父夜祭
On a winter night, lantern-covered floats are hauled up a steep slope while fireworks burn overhead.
Next
2–3 December 2026
40 days away
Every year, 2 December, for 2 days
Future dates: 2 December 2026 · 2 December 2027 · 2 December 2028
Origin
Local tradition holds that this is the one night a year when the goddess of Chichibu Shrine meets the god of Mt. Bukō. Both the midwinter timing and the fireworks are explained as adornments for that meeting. The festival grew rich alongside the Chichibu silk market.
What to look for
On the night of 3 December the haul up Dango-zaka is the climax: floats weighing as much as twenty tonnes pulled up a steep slope by hand while fireworks keep going off above. Winter fireworks, lantern light and the pullers' chant arriving all at once is something no other festival offers.
How to watch
Chichibu in December is genuinely cold; underdress and you will not last the evening. The slope is tightly marshalled, so settle your spot early.
Where
Chichibu Shrine
Chichibu, Saitama
Open in mapsSources