Chichibu’s summer festival, where dashi process through the streets and mikoshi are purified in the Arakawa River
Chichibu Kawase Festival
The 2026 edition of Chichibu Kawase Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/19 〜 2026/07/20Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on July 19 and the 20th / Every year
- Location
- Around Chichibu Shrine, central Chichibu, Kawase Saijo, and Hitsujiyama Park
- Area
- Saitama Prefecture・Chichibu City(From Tokyo: approx. 30 min–1 h · train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This is Chichibu Shrine’s summer grand festival, where and kasaboko floats parade through central Chichibu and are purified in the Arakawa River.
About Chichibu Kawase Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kounosu File:Chichibu Kawase Matsuri.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 自ら撮影Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kounosu File:Chichibu Kawase Matsuri (Yoimiya2).jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Kounosu File:Chichibu Kawase Matsuri (Yoimiya1).jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 自ら撮影Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Chichibu Kawase Festival is a summer festival in Chichibu held as Chichibu Shrine’s annual summer grand festival.
Known as the summer counterpart to the Chichibu Night Festival in winter, it features 4 yatai and 4 kasaboko floats parading through the city center.
Children are said to take center stage, with elementary school boys and girls riding at the very front of the .
The ritual of purifying mikoshi in the Arakawa River also reflects the festival’s hope for health and freedom from illness during the summer.
Source: 秩父川瀬祭 - Wikipedia / 秩父神社 川瀬祭り Q&A | 秩父神社
Festival highlights
A highlight is the dashi procession, with 8 yatai and kasaboko floats moving through central Chichibu.
On the eve of the main festival, the Tenno Pillar-Raising Ritual takes place at Chichibu Shrine, followed by dedicated fireworks in the evening.
On the main festival day, mikoshi travel to Kawase Saijo, where they are washed in the waters of the Arakawa River.
The evening haul up Dangozaka slope is another event where you can experience the dashi in motion up close.
Source: 令和8年（2026年）の秩父川瀬祭について | 秩父観光なび
Chichibu’s summer festival, where dashi process through the streets and mikoshi are purified in the Arakawa River
What to expect
The festival unfolds over 2 days: the eve of the main festival and the main festival.
On the eve of the main festival, after dashi from each neighborhood association parade through the city center, they gather at Chichibu Shrine, where the Tenno Pillar-Raising Ritual and dedicated fireworks take place.
On the main festival day, mikoshi travel from Chichibu Shrine to Kawase Saijo, and dashi processions continue after the mikoshi are washed.
In the evening, the dashi are hauled up Dangozaka slope, followed by each neighborhood’s farewell procession.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：無料
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Chichibu Shrine, central Chichibu, Kawase Saijo, and other locations.
Chichibu Shrine is at 1-3 Banbamachi, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture.
- Train and bus
A 10-minute walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station on the Seibu Railway, or a 3-minute walk from Chichibu Station on the Chichibu Railway.
- By car
About 35 km and approximately 50 minutes via National Route 140 from the Hanazono IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway.
- Parking
In 2026, temporary parking was provided at Chichibu City Miyaji Ground, with a notice stating that it could be used free of charge from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 19 and the 20th.
Source: 秩父川瀬祭（埼玉県／秩父市）｜開催期間・アクセス｜るるぶ&more.
Address 1-3 Banbamachi, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture (Chichibu Shrine), and other locations
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, it was held on July 19 (Sunday) and the 20th (Monday).
The 19th was the eve of the main festival, with dashi processions, the Tenno Pillar-Raising Ritual, and dedicated fireworks among the events.
The 20th was the main festival day, with dashi processions, the departure of the mikoshi and their washing, the Kawase Saijo Festival, and an evening haul-up among the scheduled events.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Saitama Prefecture / Chichibu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
In 2026, dashi processions took place in central Chichibu, and a traffic restriction map was also provided.
The dedicated fireworks are canceled in severe weather, and the launch site is Hitsujiyama Park.
Temporary parking has set hours, so if you are visiting by car, check the hours before setting out.
Since venues vary by festival event, it is a good idea to check the location of the event you want to see in advance.
Nearby attractions
三峯神社
埼玉県秩父市にある神社
秩父まつり会館
埼玉県秩父市にある秩父夜祭を主題とする展示施設
Chichibu Shrine
埼玉県秩父市にある神社
Origins and History of Chichibu Kawase Festival
The Kawase Festival is said to have evolved from the Gion Festival, which spread to various parts of Japan during the Heian period.
Chichibu Shrine’s official information describes the festival as having roots in the Gion Festival or Gion Goryoe.
The earliest recorded mention of the “Kawase Festival” appears in a document from 1659.
The washing of mikoshi brought to the Arakawa River, as well as the water-drawing ritual, in which water is collected the night before and sprinkled around the neighborhood, are also traditions associated with purification and protection from misfortune.
Official information
The 2026 event dates and schedule, dedicated fireworks, temporary parking, and traffic restriction map are listed on Chichibu City’s official Chichibu Kanko Navi website.
For information on the festival’s origins, the washing of mikoshi in the Arakawa River, and the meaning of the water-drawing ritual, see the Chichibu Shrine Kawase Festival Q&A.
Chichibu Kawase Festival at a Glance
The Chichibu Kawase Festival is a summer festival at Chichibu Shrine, where yatai and kasaboko floats parade through the city and mikoshi are purified in the Arakawa River.
Alongside dashi events said to put children at center stage, the festival features the Tenno Pillar-Raising Ritual, dedicated fireworks, and the washing of mikoshi.
In 2026, it was held on July 19 and the 20th, with the area around Chichibu Shrine, the city center, and Kawase Saijo among the venues.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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