Kawagoe Matsuri

Last weekend, I visited Kawagoe Matsuri (川越まつり). Kawagoe Matsuri is known as one of three biggest festivals in Kantō region. It attracts over 800 thousand people annually from the third Saturday to Sunday in October. Kawagoe is the place where I grew up, so I have been familiar with Kawagoe Matsuri.

Kawagoe is in Saitama prefecture which is next door to Tokyo. It takes about an hour from central of Tokyo. You can get there without transferring by Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin line from Shibuya.

Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Shibuya Station

The Kawagoe Station.

Kawagoe Station

Kawagoe Station

Kawagoe Matsuri is held from morning, around the station is full of people.

around the Kawagoe Station

One float (山車) was standby around the station. At the Kawagoe Matsuri, a total of 29 gorgeous floats are drawn around the city.

One float was standby at Kawagoe Station

A float is going to the central of the festival. Everyone is waiting!

A float is going to the central of Kawagoe Matsuri

float at Kawagoe Matsuri

An old man in Kawagoe Matsuri

A froat at the Kawagoe Matsuri

There are many outdoor stands at the festival.

outdoor stand in Kawagoe Matsuri

outdoor stand in Kawagoe Matsuri

outdoor stand in Kawagoe Matsuri

Yakitori shop

outdoor stand in Kawagoe Matsuri

Outdoor stand in Kawagoe Matsuri

wataame

Beer and Takoyaki (たこ焼き) are staple of Japanese festivals! Kawagoe has the original beer.

coedo beer

Takoyaki shop

 

At the central of Kawagoe, there were so many people and floats!

A float in Kawagoe Matsuri

A float in Kawagoe Matsuri

On a float

Each float pop their top in and out of the roof. On top of each float there are dolls under which is a round stage. The floats are made of lacquer and gold leaf and have exquisite sculptures of Zelkova trees on them. Half of these are appointed as cultural treasures.

A float in Kawagoe Matsuri

A float in Kawagoe Matsuri

A float in Kawagoe Matsuri

When floats pass by each other, that round stage rotates and they compete with each others festival music. It called “Hikkawase (曳っかわせ).”

HIkkawase

Hikkawase

The festival becomes exciting because of the cheers of the people pulling the floats and the spectators.

HIkkawase

The floats proceeding down the streets lined by warehouses are lit up in the daytime as well as nighttime by lanterns. This festival has not changed from more than 360 years ago.

Kawagoe Matsuri

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Kawagoe Matsuri

Kawagoe Matsuri

Kawagoe Matsuri

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Kawagoe Matsuri

Kawagoe Matsuri

Kawagoe Matsuri

Kawagoe Matsuri

Kawagoe Matsuri

Kawagoe Matsuri

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