Honjo Matsuri

Festival highlights

A highlight is the 10 dashi, each reflecting the character of its neighborhood.

Dashi carrying figures such as Momotaro, Empress Jingu, Yamato Takeru, and Kato Kiyomasa parade along the Nakasendo, offering a close-up look at their carvings, embroidery, and curtain designs.

At night, lanterns are lit and all the dashi gather at Hanipon Plaza, taking on a different appearance from during the day.

Source: みどころ｜本庄市観光協会

An autumn festival in Honjo-juku, brought to life by mikoshi and magnificent dashi

What to expect

On the first day, each neighborhood pulls its dashi through the streets while the festival musicians perform.

At intersections along the Nakasendo and by the former Commercial Bank brick warehouse, there are moments when dashi face one another and their musicians compete in playing festival music.

On the second day, the dashi line up in front of Kanasana Shrine and parade after the procession of the Goshinko-sai Festival. In the evening, they gather at Hanipon Plaza.

Location and access

Venue and address

Central Honjo.

The dashi parade along the Nakasendo and also gather in front of Kanazakura Shrine and at Hanipon Plaza.

Train and bus

It is about a 5-minute walk from Honjo Station on the JR Takasaki Line.

Take a bus bound for Honjo Station from Honjo-Waseda Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen; the ride takes about 10 minutes.

By car

It is about a 6-minute drive from the Honjo-Kodama Interchange on the Kan-Etsu Expressway.

Parking

Free temporary parking is available.

Source: 本庄まつり - Wikipedia

Event venue 埼玉県本庄市 本庄市街地

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

Open in Google Maps

Dates and season

Honjo Festival is held annually on November 2 and the 3rd.

On the 2nd, a pre-festival ceremony is held to pray for the festival to proceed safely. On the 3rd, the reisai of Kanazakura Shrine takes place, along with the mikoshi procession and dashi parade.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Origins and History of Honjo Matsuri

During the Edo period, the festival of Kanasana Shrine was called “Okunchi” and was held on September 29.

Around the start of the Meiji era, the festival shifted from around Meiji 7 to around November 3. In the early Meiji period, neighborhood dashi were added as accompanying festival attractions.

Dashi began as attendants to the mikoshi, but they have also played a role in bringing neighborhood opinions together and fostering a sense of belonging among shrine parishioners and harmony within the community.

Official information

The Honjo City Tourism Association provides information about Honjo Matsuri, including an overview, introductions to the dashi, highlights, history, and access to the venue.

Honjo Matsuri at a Glance

Honjo Matsuri is an autumn festival centered on the grand festival of Kanasana Shrine, with mikoshi and neighborhood dashi parading through central Honjo.

The dashi are adorned with historic figures and intricate decorations, and make their way along the Nakasendo accompanied by festival music.

Alongside the daytime parade, a major highlight is the gathering of dashi illuminated by lanterns at night.