Kuki Lantern Festival: Tenno-sama

Festival highlights

The biggest highlight is the moment when the daytime figure dashi are transformed into lantern-decorated dashi at night.

Around 500 lanterns adorn the four sides of each dashi, which travel through town accompanied by flute, gong, and drum music.

After 8 p.m., lantern-decorated dashi gather at the west-exit rotary of Kuki Station, where you can watch them draw close to one another and turn.

Another distinctive feature is how dramatically the dashi change in appearance between day and night.

A Kuki dashi festival with figures by day and lanterns by night

What to expect

The festival begins with the ceremonies at Yasaka Shrine, after which the dashi from each neighborhood set off.

During the day, people pull dashi carrying figures through the streets. In the evening, the dashi are reconfigured and lanterns are attached.

At night, lantern-decorated dashi travel through the neighborhoods and gather at the west-exit rotary of Kuki Station.

Even after the parade disperses at the station, the lantern-decorated dashi continue to travel through each neighborhood.

How to take part

Dashi set out from 7 neighborhoods and are operated by local young men to the accompaniment of hayashi music.

General visitors can watch the festival around places such as the station’s west exit rotary, but no general recruitment is announced for people wishing to take part as dashi pullers or hayashi musicians.

If you wish to join as a participant, you will need to check with the neighborhood or the organizers.

Location and access

Venue and address

The area around the west exit of Kuki Station.

This is a festival of Yakumo Shrine, with dashi operating mainly around the station’s west exit.

Train and bus

The venue is around the west exit of Kuki Station.

By car

Traffic restrictions were in place from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. in 2026.

The restricted sections and detour routes need to be confirmed.

Source: 市指定 久喜八雲神社の山車行事（天王様・提灯祭）｜久喜市ホームページ

Event venue 埼玉県久喜市 久喜駅西口駅前周辺地域

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

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Dates and season

2026 Festival Information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the festival was held on July 12 (Sunday) and July 18 (Saturday).

On both days, there were ceremonies at Yasaka Shrine and processions of figure dashi during the day, while lantern-decorated dashi traveled through the neighborhoods from evening onward.

On July 12, lantern-decorated dashi gathered at the station’s west-exit rotary from 20:00 to 21:00; on July 18, they gathered there from 20:00 to 21:00 as well.

Times may vary depending on the dashi procession.

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Tips for your visit

The station’s west exit rotary is a highlight where the lantern-decorated dashi gather, drawing many spectators.

Traffic restrictions were in place from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. in 2026, so if you are driving, take care when traveling around the station.

The times may vary depending on how the dashi procession is progressing.

When a lantern-decorated dashi approaches or turns, please watch from a place that does not obstruct its progress.

Nearby attractions

Temples and shrinesKuki City

鷲宮神社

埼玉県久喜市にある神社

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写真：Ocdp / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Kuki Lantern Festival: Tenno-sama

The festival is said to have begun when communities devastated by the great eruption of Mount Asama in Tenmei 3 (1783) pulled dashi through the streets in hopes of rebuilding their lives and ensuring a good harvest.

The Tenno-sama festival itself is thought to date back to the Kyoho era.

Historical records from the Edo period also confirm that dashi processions were held in the 19th century.

The Kuki Yasaka Shrine Dashi Procession was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kuki City in 2004.

Source: 第92回 久喜八雲（やくも）神社の山車（だし）行事（天王様・提灯（ちょうちん）祭）｜久喜市ホームページ

Official information

Dates, the day’s schedule, traffic restrictions, and venue information can be found on Kuki City’s official website under “Kuki Lantern Festival ‘Tenno-sama.’”

Information on its origins as a cultural property and an explanation of the dashi procession are also available on Kuki City’s official website under “City-Designated Kuki Yasaka Shrine Dashi Procession (Tenno-sama Lantern Festival).”

Kuki Lantern Festival: Tenno-sama at a Glance

Kuki Lantern Festival “Tenno-sama” is a festival of Yasaka Shrine where you can enjoy figure dashi by day and lantern-decorated dashi at night.

In 2026, the festival was held around the west exit of Kuki Station on July 12 and the 18th.

At night, dashi lit by around 500 lanterns gather in front of the station. A highlight is watching them draw close to one another and turn.

Traffic restrictions will be in place, so it’s a good idea to check how to get around the station area before visiting.