Yamada no Harumatsuri

(山田の春祭り)

Chichibu City, Saitama Pref.

Over 100 Years All Day See Kanto

About the festival

The Yamada no Harumatsuri (Yamada’s spring festival)—the grand annual festival held at Tsunemochi Shrine—is famous for being the first festival of the year in the Chichibu region to feature Dashi floats. 
Dashi floats including two Yatai (a type of Dashi float with a roof attached) and one Kasaboko leave their mountain villages and gather at Tsunemochi Shrine, where sacred Kagura dances are performed and a ceremony is held. After the clock strikes 1:00 PM, the floats leave for Yasaka Shrine, designated as the festival’s Otabisho (a resting site for the enshrined deity). After a parade through the streets, a ceremony is held at the Yasaka Shrine. Chochin and Bombori lanterns on the floats are lit after dark, turning the festival into a dazzling colourful festival, along with the fireworks in the sky. Yamada no Harumatsuri marks the ending of the harsh cold of the winter season, and the arrival of spring—eagerly awaited by the entire Chichibu region. 

153 Reh Yamada No Harumatsuri

Things to do

1.Watch the thrilling procession of historic Dashi floats!

153 Re1 1 Yamada No Harumatsuri

It is said that the two Yatai were built approximately 300 years ago, and the Kasaboko (a float decorated with artificial flowers placed radially from the top of its triple-layered roof) about 150 years ago. The procession of these historic floats are the festival's highlights you cannot miss. 
The Dashi floats distinctly backed by the clear blue sky—in a time when the air is still slightly chilly—appear extraordinary beautiful, and to see them being pulled through the streets just as wide as the floats themselves is a thrilling sight to see. 

2.Witness a grand collaborative showcase between the Dashi floats’ lanterns and the large fireworks in the sky!

Fireworks are lit in the sky from around 8 PM during the final hours of the festival. 
You will be fascinated by the large rounds of fireworks that illuminate the night sky, as well as the Dashi floats lit up by the Chochin lanterns. 

Information (基本情報)

  • Festival Dates March 10th (Sun), 2019 from around 8:00 AM to 9 PM

    Held annually on the 2nd Sunday of March
  • Place In and around Tsunemochi Shrine (Yamada, Chichibu city)
  • General Participation Participation available during the Dashi float procession
  • International Reception and Info. Unavailable
  • Wi-Fi Unavailable
  • Restrooms Available
  • HP

    http://www.chichibuji.gr.jp/

  • Contact 0494-21-2277

Rules & Manners(参加のルール&マナー)

Please follow the directions of those involved in the parade when you are near the Dashi floats. 
Not even bicycles are allowed to pass through the festival area due to traffic regulations.

Access Map (アクセスと地図)

Access to Chichibu City

[nearest station]
Seibu-Chichibu Station, Seibu Chichibu Line
Chichibu Station, Chichibu Main Line

[nearest bus stop]
Temporary bus stop “Gakko-mae”
Catch the Seibu Kanko Bus bound for either Sadamine or Minano Station

Festival location 
In and around Tsunemochi Shrine 1606 Yamada, Chichibu City

Kazumi Terai
Public Relations/Writer
Born in Gunma. Web creator. Loves clime-suspense dramas of overseas.

WHAT'S GOING ON?