Over 100 Years
Night
The "Tennousama" is Kuki's annual lantern festival held on the 12th and 18th of July. It has been continued for approximately 230 years since 1783. It is said that the festival began in the aftermath of Mt. Asama's major eruption when the local residents decided to parade the festive Dashi floats in an attempt to recover from the disaster. The liveliness of the Kuki people—who tried to invigorate everybody by starting a festival amidst an insecure situation—is handed down to us today.
7 Dashi floats parade through the town during the daytime. The figures that decorate the Dashi—mainly representing characters from mythologies—are taken off at night, and approximately 500 lanterns are attached on all four sides instead, transforming the Dashi into Chochin lantern floats. The 7.5 meter tall Dashi weighing 4t has quite an impressive look.
Please enjoy the gorgeously decorated figure Dashi floats during the daytime as well as the thrilling lantern floats at night!
Right after noon, the parading of Dashi floats begin after the ceremony finishes at Yakumo Shrine. The sight of all the floats decorated with mythological and historical figures lined up in a row, is a powerful sight to see. Two groups of 5 ride inside each of the floats playing the festival chants with taiko drums, flutes and bells. Thanks to them, the chanting does not stop during the whole duration of the festival.
The gorgeous floats from the daytime show us a thrilling sight at night, each carrying approximately 500 Chochin lanterns. The floats during the night are fiercely slammed into each other and spun around.
After 8 pm, 6 lantern floats gather at Kuki Station's west exit rotary. It is the climax and the biggest highlight of the festival.
Kuki's local specialties such as Shio-anbin, a manju bun filled with salted anko (sweet bean paste), and Iga-manju with its signature use of red rice, are both traditional Japanese confectionery unique to the north-east regions of Saitama Pref. In addition, many confections related to the lantern festival such as the "Chochin Senbei," "Chochin Monaka" and "Chochin Sablé (cookie)" are sold during the festival. Get your hands on Chochin festival's original souvenirs!
At night, the Lantern Dashi floats are slammed into each other and spun around fiercely. Please do not touch or attempt to pull them.
The festival will not be allowed to continue if there are severe injuries during the procession. Please prohibit frivolous behavior and do not touch the floats.
Entry into the rotary area at the front of the station is prohibited during the floats' gathering.
Occupying areas near the station's west exit for viewing is prohibited.
Access to Kuki City
[nearest station]
Kuki Station (JR Utsunomiya Line, Tobu Skytree Line)
Festival Location
Area surrounding Kuki Station's west exit
