Chichibu Yo-Matsuri, designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, takes place on the nights of 2–3 December at Chichibu Shrine and is counted among Japan's three greatest float festivals alongside Kyoto's Gion Matsuri and Hida's Furukawa Matsuri. Six enormous floats — four kasaboko and two yatai — are elaborately decorated with hand-woven tapestries and illuminated with hundreds of lanterns, then hauled up a steep slope by hundreds of rope-pullers to the climax of the festival. Fireworks explode above the frozen mountain valley throughout the night, and yatai floats host performances of theatrical kagura and puppet plays. The crisp winter air and glowing floats create an otherworldly atmosphere.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Winter
- Month
- 2–3 December
- Region
- Kanto
- Prefecture
- Saitama
- City
- Chichibu
Highlights
- ◆UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage float festival
- ◆Six illuminated kasaboko and yatai floats hauled up a steep hill
- ◆Fireworks bursting over a winter mountain valley at night
- ◆Kabuki-style theatre and puppet plays performed on floats
- ◆One of Japan's three greatest float festivals