Sayama Iruma River Tanabata Festival

Festival highlights

The main attraction is the colorful bamboo decorations lining the route from the west exit of Sayama Station to Tanabata-dori.

Many decorations are handmade by their individual exhibitors, with designs that reflect current events and distinctive ornaments at the tips intended to ward off evil.

In 2026, around 100 decorations were displayed, and visitors could vote for their favorites.

The Summer Evening Fireworks Festival is held on the first evening, so visitors can enjoy the Tanabata decorations followed by fireworks.

Source: 入間川七夕まつり（公式ホームページ）

Handmade Tanabata decorations and fireworks lighting up the summer night sky

What to expect

At the festival, visitors can walk from the Station West Exit Civic Plaza along Tanabata-dori and see decorations exhibited by local shops and residents.

In 2026, voting for the top bamboo decoration took place on the first day, and visitors could vote for their favorite using the QR code in the pamphlet.

Stage events take place in the Festival Plaza, and visitors can also enjoy food stalls, traditional festival music, and Awa Odori.

The Summer Evening Fireworks Festival was scheduled for Saturday night and was indeed held at the 2026 festival.

How to take part

Visitors can walk around the venue to see the Tanabata decorations and take part in the No. 1 Bamboo Decoration vote.

Each person may cast 1 vote, and in 2026 voting was open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on August 1.

Volunteers are also recruited to help run the festival, and the information stated that anyone could take part as a cleanup volunteer.

Regarding stalls, the organizing committee does not provide or arrange stall locations on public roads or in the civic plaza, so anyone wishing to set up a stall must check the conditions separately.

Visitors can freely explore the festival grounds, admire the Tanabata decorations, and vote for the top bamboo decoration.

In 2026, voting ran from August 1 at 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; participants accessed a dedicated form using the QR code in the pamphlet.

Those interested in volunteering for event operations could apply through an online application form. The application deadline was June 26, 2026.

Those wishing to set up a stall need to negotiate with the landowner and secure a location.

Source: 狭山市入間川七夕まつりボランティアスタッフの募集 狭山市公式ウェブサイト

Location and access

Venue and address

The event takes place along the streets centered on Sayamashi Station West Exit Civic Plaza and Tanabata-dori Shopping Street.

Train and bus

Get off at Sayamashi Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line and head to the venue from the west exit.

During the festival, local buses detour around the venue, and general vehicles are prohibited from entering the rotary at the west exit of Sayamashi Station.

By car

In 2026, traffic restrictions were in effect from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on August 1 and from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on August 2.

Restriction hours and the time restrictions are lifted may vary depending on road conditions.

Parking

The city hall's general parking lot was open free of charge from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on August 1, 2026, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 2nd.

Spaces are limited, and vehicles cannot enter or leave outside the opening hours.

Event venue 埼玉県狭山市 狭山市駅西口市民広場から七夕通り商店街を中心とした沿道

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 dates listed have passed)

The 2026 Sayama Iruma River Tanabata Festival was held on August 1 (Saturday) and the 2nd (Sunday).

The festival ran from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 1st and from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 2nd, while vendor booths were open until 8:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.

The Summer Evening Fireworks Festival was held on the 1st from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and voting for the bamboo decorations took place on the 1st from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

It is usually held on the first Saturday and Sunday of August.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Traffic restrictions are in effect around the venue during festival hours, and general vehicles are also prohibited from entering the rotary at the west exit of Sayamashi Station.

Local buses detour around the venue, and some stops may be out of service, so allow plenty of time for travel.

Parking spaces are limited, and vehicles cannot enter or leave outside the parking lot's opening hours.

As the 2026 event was held outdoors, guidance advised visitors to bring a hat and drinks to protect themselves from the heat.

Nearby attractions

Zoos and aquariumsSayama City

狭山市立智光山公園こども動物園

埼玉県狭山市にある動物園

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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Facility data source

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 Sayama Iruma River Tanabata Festival

It is said that the Tanabata celebrations in Iruma River began around the mid-Edo period, when shops and households decorated bamboo with tanzaku wish strips.

In the past, people prayed for bountiful harvests and freedom from illness, then floated the bamboo decorations down the Iruma River after the festival. This practice is no longer carried out, in order to protect the river environment and water quality.

It continued as a local shopping district event from the Meiji period onward, and the opening of the railway brought more visitors from nearby areas.

Today, it has grown into a community festival featuring fireworks, a parade, Awa Odori, and more, alongside the bamboo decorations.

Official information

Information for 2026 about event dates and times, the fireworks festival, bamboo decoration voting, parking, and traffic restrictions is available on the official Sayama City website.

The festival’s special website provides information such as a venue map, voting form, and the origins of the Tanabata decorations.

The Sayama City Tourism Association is listed as a contact, at 04-2953-1205.

Sayama Iruma River Tanabata Festival at a Glance

The Sayama Iruma River Tanabata Festival is a summer festival where visitors can enjoy Tanabata decorations handmade by local people, from the west exit of Sayama Station to Tanabata-dori Shopping Street.

In 2026, the festival was held on August 1 and the 2nd, with the Summer Evening Fireworks Festival taking place on the first evening.

Visitors can do more than admire the decorations: they can also enjoy a variety of events, including voting for bamboo decorations, stage performances, food stalls, and Awa Odori.

When visiting, check traffic restrictions and parking hours. Taking public transportation is a reliable option.