Okegawa Gion Festival

Festival highlights

Highlights include the joint procession, with mikoshi from several districts moving together, and the dashi float-pulling event, when floats gather at the intersection.

In 2026, a joint procession of mikoshi from five districts took place along the Nakasendo, and events featuring mikoshi and dashi floats were scheduled at the Okegawa Station Front intersection.

Drums and flutes ring out from festival music platforms along the route, creating a festive scene characteristic of a post town alongside the stalls lining the Nakasendo.

Source: 桶川祇園祭 – 一般社団法人 桶川市観光協会

Festival music and mikoshi echo through the post town at Okegawa’s summer festival

What to expect

The festival features children’s mikoshi processions, mikoshi processions from five districts, and dashi float-pulling events.

In 2026, children’s mikoshi processions, dashi float-pulling by children’s festival music groups, and the joint procession of mikoshi from five districts were scheduled for the first day; mikoshi-carrying events and dashi float-pulling events were planned for the second day.

Many events take place along the Nakasendo and at the Okegawa Station Front intersection.

Details may change due to weather and other circumstances.

How to take part

The festival and the mikoshi and dashi events are run by five organizations, including local preservation groups and the organizing committee.

Women are welcomed, and tradition allows them to take part without being assigned to a separate special group.

Events featuring children’s mikoshi are also held, but whether general visitors can apply to help carry one must be checked in the information for each festival year.

You can enjoy watching from along the route.

Source: 桶川祇園祭 - Wikipedia

Location and access

Venue and address

Nakasendo (Okegawa-juku), the area around the street by the east exit of Okegawa Station, and the Okegawa Station Front intersection.

Train and bus

The area around the east exit of Okegawa Station is part of the venue.

Festival-day notices say that Asahi Bus services and the community loop bus, which normally depart from and arrive at the east exit of Okegawa Station, will instead use the west exit.

By car

Pedestrian-only zones and traffic restrictions will be in effect on Nakasendo and other roads, so take care when traveling.

Event venue 埼玉県桶川市 中山道

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

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the event was scheduled to run for 2 days, on July 15 (Wednesday) and the 16th (Thursday), from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Children’s mikoshi processions, dashi float-pulling by children’s festival music groups, and the joint procession of mikoshi from five districts were scheduled for the 15th; mikoshi-carrying events and dashi float-pulling events were planned for the 16th.

Event times and details may change due to weather and other circumstances.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The venue extends through urban areas such as Nakasendo and the street by the station, and crowds of pedestrians, dashi, and mikoshi gather during the festival.

The 2026 notice says that plans may change due to weather and other factors.

Bus departures and arrivals will move from the east exit of Okegawa Station to the west exit, so check the bus stop if you are traveling by public transport.

When watching from along the route, be considerate of those around you and avoid obstructing passage.

Origins and History of Okegawa Gion Festival

The Okegawa Gion Festival is said to have begun around the middle of the Edo period.

At Okegawa-juku, people, goods, and culture came and went along the Nakasendo. Elements of Kyoto’s Gion Festival and Edo-style festival music came together to shape the festival.

Today, the festival is run by the Okegawa Gion Festival Organizing Committee and five local organizations.

Through events featuring dashi floats, mikoshi, and festival music, the post town’s history and local performing arts are passed down.

Official information

The event information is published by the Okegawa City Tourism Association, a general incorporated association, and identifies the Okegawa Gion Festival Organizing Committee as the organizer.

Changes to event dates and times, venues, and details are also listed.

Okegawa Gion Festival at a Glance

The Okegawa Gion Festival is a 2-day summer festival featuring dashi floats, mikoshi, and festival music along the Nakasendo in Okegawa-juku.

Children’s mikoshi, the joint procession of mikoshi from five districts, mikoshi-carrying events, and dashi float-pulling events were scheduled for July 15 and the 16th.

The station area and Nakasendo are the main venues, so visitors can enjoy this festival tradition passed down in the post town while keeping an eye out for transport changes and crowds.