The Kumagaya Uchiwa Matsuri, one of the three great festivals of Kantō's Kita-Kantō region, takes place each July 20–22 at八坂神社 (Yasaka Shrine) in Kumagaya City. The festival's unique tradition involves festival-goers receiving uchiwa (round flat fans) as good-luck offerings — a custom that dates back to the Edo period when fans were distributed to ward off summer disease. Seven ornate hikiyama floats, richly decorated with dolls and carvings, are pulled through the city center after dark. With Kumagaya holding the record for Japan's highest recorded temperature, the festival's fan-giving tradition feels especially apt.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- July 20–22
- Region
- Kanto
- Prefecture
- Saitama
- City
- Kumagaya
Highlights
- ◆Unique Edo-period custom of distributing lucky uchiwa round fans
- ◆Seven elaborately decorated hikiyama floats paraded after dark
- ◆One of the Three Great Festivals of Kita-Kantō
- ◆Held in Kumagaya, famously Japan's hottest city
- ◆Yasaka Shrine ceremonies with traditional music and dance