A water festival where the mikoshi and Gion hayashi head to the Koma River
Sansha no Kawase Matsuri
The 2026 edition of Sansha no Kawase Matsuri has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/25Ended
- Location
- Agano and the banks of the Koma River
- Area
- Saitama Prefecture・Hanno 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
Sansha no Kawase Matsuri is an intangible folk cultural property in which a is carried in procession from Agano Jinja in Agano, Hanno City, to the banks of the Koma River, where is performed with river water. The procession accompanied by and Gion is also distinctive.
About Sansha no Kawase Matsuri
Sansha no Kawase Matsuri is an intangible folk cultural property associated with Agano Jinja in Agano, Hanno City.
More than 60 people, including those carrying sacred branches, Sarutahiko, Uzume, bow-bearers, staff-bearers, shell blowers, bearers, lantern bearers, and , form a procession centered on the mikoshi and carry it to the banks of the Koma River.
Ritual observances are held on the riverbank, and finally a priest performs misogi on the mikoshi using river water and bamboo branches.
Festival highlights
A distinctive scene is the procession centered on the mikoshi heading to the banks of the Koma River.
A lion, flute players, yatai, ujiko, and others join the procession, which moves along to Gion hayashi.
Ritual observances are held on the riverbank, followed by misogi using river water; finally, a shishimai performance called “Heigakari” is said to be dedicated.
A water festival where the mikoshi and Gion hayashi head to the Koma River
What to expect
During the festival, a procession carrying the mikoshi travels from Agano Jinja to the banks of the Koma River.
Those carrying sacred sakaki branches, Sarutahiko, Uzume, bow-bearers, staff-bearers, shell blowers, dashi bearers, lantern bearers, and ujiko make up the procession, which is also joined by shishimai and Gion hayashi.
After ritual observances on the riverbank, a priest pours river water over the mikoshi with bamboo branches to perform misogi, bringing the event to a close.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Agano Jinja (226 Agano, Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture)
Address 226 Agano, Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
It was announced that the event was scheduled for July 25, 2026 (Saturday).
After a ceremony starting at 10 a.m., the Sansha shishimai is to be dedicated, followed by Sansha no Kawase Matsuri.
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 / Hanno City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As Kawase Matsuri involves moving to the banks of the Koma River, comfortable walking clothes are suitable.
If the event takes place at night, take care where you walk in dark areas and consider how you will get home.
When watching, be mindful of where you stand and how you take photographs so as not to obstruct the ritual observances or the procession.
Nearby attractions
メッツァ
埼玉県飯能市にあるレジャー施設
飯能市立博物館
埼玉県飯能市にある博物館
Origins and History of Sansha no Kawase Matsuri
Sansha no Kawase Matsuri is featured on the Cultural Heritage Online website as an intangible folk cultural property designated by Hanno City.
The designation date is March 25, 2010.
Official information
The planned 2026 public opening is listed in Hanno City’s “Cultural Property Public Opening Schedule.”
Sansha no Kawase Matsuri is scheduled at Agano Jinja on July 25 (Saturday), according to the event information, and takes place after the dedication of the Sansha shishimai.
Publication dates and times may change.
Sansha no Kawase Matsuri at a Glance
Sansha no Kawase Matsuri is a festival in Agano, Hanno City, in which a mikoshi is carried in procession from Agano Jinja to the banks of the Koma River, accompanied by Gion hayashi and shishimai, for ritual observances.
The final misogi, in which a priest uses river water on the mikoshi, expresses the connection between water and faith.
The procession and riverbank ritual observances are recorded as an intangible folk cultural property designated by Hanno City.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
