Chichibu Night Festival

Embark on a captivating journey just 90 minutes from the heart of Tokyo and step into a realm where tradition dances in the cold December air at the Chichibu Night Festival! As the dusk descends on Chichibu on December 3rd, the town vibrates to the rhythmic beats of drums and melodious flutes heralding the arrival of ornately adorned floats. These aren’t just any floats; they’re masterpieces of artistry, decked with lanterns, tapestries, and gilded wood carvings, a spectacle that places the festival among Japan’s top three float festivals alongside Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and the Takayama Matsuri.

But the Chichibu Night Festival isn’t just a visual feast. It’s where the skies come alive with a two and a half-hour-long fireworks display, a rare winter spectacle in Japan that lights up the night sky. Amidst the celestial fireworks, the streets below bustle with the aroma of festival foods and the warmth of amazake (sweet rice wine) to ward off the December chill. The grandeur doesn’t end here; the floats, after gracing the neighborhoods and Chichibu Shrine, commence a majestic parade towards the city hall. And the climax? Each float being pulled up a slope onto the plaza in front of the city hall amidst an audience enveloped in awe and festivity.

Whether you’re there live or catching a glimpse at the Chichibu Festival Hall, the essence of celebration lingers. And for those who make it to the heart of the action, every beat of the drum, every sparkle of fireworks, and every pull of the float is not just a visual and auditory delight, but a tether to Japan’s rich cultural tapestry. So, come December, let the trains lead you to a night where tradition, celebration, and artistry unfold under the winter skies of Chichibu!