[2025 Guide] Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) (December 2-3) | Complete Guide to Highlights, Street Food, and Access Information

The annual “Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival)” is a representative winter tradition of Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, and is nationally recognized as one of Japan’s three major float festivals. The magnificent procession of floats and kasaboko (umbrella-shaped floats), combined with spectacular fireworks, is truly breathtaking and attracts many tourists from both Japan and abroad.

This article compiles the latest 2025 information, including highlights of the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival), street food, access methods, and tips to avoid crowds in an easy-to-understand format. This is a complete guide useful even for first-time visitors.

Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) (December 2-3, 2025) Event Overview and Appeal

The Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) is the annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and counted as one of Japan’s three major float festivals.​

In 2025, as in previous years, December 2 is Yoimiya (eve festival) and December 3 is Honmatsuri (main festival). During Yoimiya, a total of 6 floats—2 kasaboko and 4 yatai (festival floats)—parade through the city streets, and at night, the float-pulling ceremony takes place at Banbacho Dangozaka. On the night of the main festival, approximately 4,800 fireworks are launched, centered at Hitsujiyama Park in the city, illuminating the clear winter night sky.​

During the day, you can enjoy local specialties and festival cuisine at shopping streets and food stall villages, and view the magnificent carvings on the floats up close. At night, the floats wrapped in lanterns and illumination create a fantastical scene. The “beauty of motion and stillness” emanating from the powerful festival music and intricate carvings gives visitors a profound emotional experience.

Yoimiya is less crowded than the main festival, making it ideal for first-time visitors or those who want to enjoy a relaxed viewing experience. It’s an excellent opportunity to appreciate the floats and festival music in a calm atmosphere.

Historical and Cultural Background: Position as One of Japan’s Three Major Float Festivals and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival), along with Kyoto’s Gion Festival and Hida’s Takayama Festival, is one of Japan’s three major float festivals and was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 1, 2016. Its origins date back to the mid-Edo period during the Kanbun era (from 1661), developing from the “Kinu no Takamachi (Silk Grand Market)” as the annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine.​

The Chichibu region has long prospered as a sericulture and silk textile production area, with “Chichibu silk” becoming widely known in Edo and beyond. The “Kinu no Takamachi” held during Chichibu Shrine’s annual festival attracted merchants from afar, and the “tsuke-matsuri” (accompanying festival) of kasaboko and yatai began to entertain these visitors. The intricate carvings, gold leaf decorations, and unique rhythms of festival music on the floats convey the prosperity and craftsmanship of that era to the present day.​

The kasaboko and yatai are assembled without using a single nail, decorated with gold ornaments, polychrome carvings, and gold thread embroidery, earning them the name “moving Yomeimon Gate” for their magnificence. The festival is not merely a tourist event but a cultural heritage symbolizing regional pride and community spirit, passed down through generations by local residents.​

Event Overview

• Name: One of Japan’s Three Major Float Festivals “Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival)”
• Event Period: December 2 (Tuesday) and 3 (Wednesday), 2025
• Typical Attendance: Approximately 183,000 people (2-day total)
• Admission: Free
• Chichibu Tourism Navi: https://navi.city.chichibu.lg.jp/info/2025/10/28217/
• Parking Information: *Will be updated regularly at the above URL

December 2 Yoimiya (Eve Festival)

• From around noon to about 8:00 PM, 4 floats (kasaboko and yatai) parade through the city

December 3 Honmatsuri (Main Festival)

• National Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property “Kasaboko/Yatai” Parade [Time] 09:00～early morning [Location/Venue] City area
• Chichibu Local Cuisine Specialty Competition & Souvenir Sales [Time] 09:30～23:30 [Location/Venue] Roadside Station Chichibu
• Float Dance Performance [Time] 09:00～13:30 [Location/Venue] Chichibu Shrine～Miyagawa, Honmachi, Nakamachi, Uemachi Streets
• Chichibu Folk Arts Performance [Time] 10:00～17:00 [Location/Venue] In front of Seibu Chichibu Station / [Time] 10:00～15:30 [Location/Venue] In front of Chichibu Railway Chichibu Station / [Time] 10:00～16:00 [Location/Venue] Yao Department Store Parking Lot #1
• “Yatai Shibai” (Float Theater) Performance [Time] 13:00～15:30 [Location/Venue] Chichibu Shrine (*Host float town association = Honmachi)
• Oneri (Kabuki Procession) [Time] 15:00～18:00 [Location/Venue] Chichibu Shrine→Best Yao→Yao Department Store (Chichibu Kabuki Seiwakai)
• Chichibu Kabuki Performance [Time] 16:30～18:00 [Location/Venue] Yao Department Store Parking Lot #1 (Chichibu Kabuki Seiwakai)
• Competitive Fireworks and Tourism Starmine Competition [Time] 19:30～22:00 [Location/Venue] Hitsujiyama Park *Launch site

Access and Traffic Regulation Information

During the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival), the entire city center is enveloped in festival atmosphere, with over 200,000 visitors annually, resulting in extensive traffic regulations.
While December 2’s Yoimiya has relatively mild congestion, main roads are closed starting at 6:00 PM when nighttime float parades begin, and public transportation is recommended.

Chichibu Railway and Seibu Railway are scheduled to operate extra trains, with access from major stations well-organized.
For those driving, temporary parking lots are provided, but surrounding road congestion continues for extended periods, so combining public transportation with walking is safer.

Train Access

From Tokyo, Seibu Railway’s limited express “Laview” is convenient, arriving at Seibu Chichibu Station in approximately 77-78 minutes from Ikebukuro. From Seibu Chichibu Station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the festival venue at Chichibu Shrine.
When using Chichibu Railway, it takes approximately 65-80 minutes by local train from Kumagaya Station to Chichibu Station, or about 56 minutes on the limited express “Chichibu-ji.” From Chichibu Station, it’s an easy 5-minute walk to Chichibu Shrine.

Car Access

By car, it’s approximately 30-40 minutes from Hanazono IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway via National Route 140, or about 1 hour from Sayama-Hidaka IC on the Ken-O Expressway via National Route 299.
However, large-scale traffic regulations are implemented around the venue on festival days, so it’s recommended to use designated temporary parking lots (such as Chichibu Muse Park and city elementary/junior high school grounds) and take free shuttle buses to the center.
On December 3 (Main Festival), vehicle traffic is prohibited from 10:00 to 22:30, with road closures from 18:30 to 22:30, and traffic regulations are also implemented on December 2 (Yoimiya). Early daytime arrival is recommended.
For the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival), multiple temporary parking lots are set up inside and outside the city, but they tend to fill up quickly during Yoimiya evenings.
Public facilities, school grounds, and parks are temporarily opened, with shuttle bus systems providing access to downtown areas.

Positional Relationship of Main Areas and Viewing Spots

The center of the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) is around Chichibu Shrine and Honmachi Street, with float parade routes concentrated within walking distance from the station. One highlight, the Dangozaka float-pulling, takes place on a steep slope near Chichibu Park, with viewing areas set up nearby.
For fireworks viewing, areas slightly away like around Ohanabatake Station and Muse Park observation plaza are popular. Since these areas have elevation differences, preparing warm clothing and comfortable shoes is advisable. Temperatures drop sharply at night and visibility becomes poor, so utilizing smartphone flashlight functions or small portable lights ensures safety.
Float routes and traffic regulation zones may change slightly each year, so checking the latest maps on-site while moving around makes for smooth navigation.

Highlights and Experience Points: The Triple Performance of Yoimiya Float Parade, Floats, and Fireworks

On December 2, 2025 Yoimiya, four yatai parade through the nighttime streets, creating a fantastical scene accompanied by the sounds of Chichibu festival music. The carvings and metal fittings illuminated by lantern light appear like works of art floating in the winter darkness.​

Starting around 7:00 PM, fireworks are also launched, with approximately 500 fireworks illuminating Chichibu’s night sky. Although smaller in scale than the main festival, Yoimiya allows calm appreciation of traditional rituals such as shrine visits to Chichibu Shrine and the “Banbacho Suwa Watari” ceremony.​

The festival’s greatest climax is the main festival on December 3. At night, all 6 floats—2 kasaboko and 4 yatai—depart toward the otabisho (temporary shrine), while approximately 4,300-5,000 fireworks are launched from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. The powerful scene of floats weighing up to 20 tons being pulled up the steep slope called Dangozaka before the otabisho is a must-see, with excitement reaching its peak amid spectators’ “Horyai!” cheers.​

The moment when all 6 kasaboko and yatai line up at the otabisho is an iconic moment of the festival, where you can experience the essence of the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) where tradition and energy converge.​

Street Food and Vendor Information

Another attraction of the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) is the festive atmosphere of food and aromas enveloping the entire town. On December 2 Yoimiya, diverse food stalls and vendors line up from around Chichibu Shrine to Honmachi Street and near Ohanabatake Station.

Many dishes utilize local flavors, and the steaming cuisine in the cold is an important element coloring the festival. Approximately 400 stalls line both sides of viewing routes, offering local cuisine, sweets, and warm beverages.

Many tourists visit specifically for the food, making this festival a place to fully enjoy Chichibu in winter through taste as well. Since crowds intensify from evening to night, touring food stalls in the early time slots is ideal.

Popular Standard Menu Items: Chichibu Specialties and Winter Delicacies

Particularly popular at the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) are warm dishes incorporating local specialties. Miso potatoes are a Chichibu B-grade gourmet dish featuring sweet and savory miso sauce, with steamed potato tempura and rich sauce creating an excellent combination.​

The aromatic smell of butamiso-don (pork miso bowl) also drifts through food stall streets, with the sound of charcoal-grilling pork marinated in special miso sauce further elevating the festival mood. Additionally, dishes using locally-sourced ingredients such as Chichibu soba with firm texture and rich flavor, and waraji-katsu featuring cutlets as large as straw sandals, are abundantly available.​

Amazake and warm pork soup, perfect for cold nights, are also popular, allowing you to experience winter Chichibu through sight, smell, and taste while walking among stalls. As eating etiquette, avoiding stopping in front of stalls and eating in designated areas ensures comfort.​

How to Enjoy Sweets, Desserts, and Light Meals

Sweet stalls are also abundant, with menu items enjoyed by children and adults alike. In addition to standard chocolate bananas and candy apples, Chichibu specialty confections from local wagashi shops such as “Su-manju (vinegar-flavored bun)” and “Chichibu Yomatsuri Monaka” are also popular. “Su-manju” is a type of sake bun characterized by the aroma of koji and fermented vinegar, unique to Chichibu.​

Additionally, warm sweets like castella-yaki and taiyaki are welcome treats in the evening chill. Warm coffee and cocoa are also offered, allowing you to enjoy the festival while staying warm.​

With approximately 500 stalls operating, they concentrate around Chichibu Shrine, Honmachi Street, and Nakamachi Street. Light meal stalls tend to gather near viewing spots, with the appeal of easy eating while watching float parades. At the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival), cuisine itself is part of the festival, providing an element where regional culture can be experienced through taste and aroma.​

Vendor Areas and Recommended Routes

• Stalls mainly spread from in front of Chichibu Shrine to Honmachi Street and further to around Ohanabatake Station, developing across approximately 2 kilometers. Honmachi Street at the festival’s center is the area with the highest concentration of food stalls, where you can enjoy specialty cuisine and souvenirs all together.
• Within Chichibu Shrine grounds, official booths by local commerce associations are also set up, offering local products, craft goods, and warm local soups. If you want to avoid crowds, a route starting from the slightly distant Ohanabatake Station area is relatively smooth.
• If touring for cuisine, entering from the Chichibu Shrine side during bright daylight hours and enjoying float parades and stall lights simultaneously on Honmachi Street from evening onward is ideal. Since pedestrian-only zones are established, route planning with traffic flow in mind ensures comfort.

Information for Budget-Friendly Enjoyment

The Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) not only allows you to enjoy traditional culture but also enables comfortable enjoyment while saving costs and time with a little ingenuity. Even during peak periods when transportation, meals, and accommodation costs concentrate, fulfilling experiences are possible on budget with advance preparation and smart choices.

Particularly, December 2 Yoimiya has relatively mild congestion, allowing leisurely enjoyment of securing viewing seats and touring food stalls. Additionally, by skillfully utilizing transportation discounts and accommodation plans, even families and visitors from afar can feel at ease.

In Chichibu City, discount campaigns by local companies and railway companies are typically implemented annually, so checking official announcements early is advisable.

Smart Booking of Transportation and Accommodation: Utilizing Early Bird and Package Plans

During the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) period, over 200,000 visitors arrive annually, so accommodation facilities in the Chichibu area are likely to be fully booked months in advance, making early reservation essential.​

• For transportation, Seibu Railway’s “Chichibu Free Ticket” and “Chichibu Manyu Ticket,” which combine round-trip tickets with free zones in the Chichibu area, are sold year-round. Using these provides discounted round-trip fares and cost-effective travel. However, limited express tickets must be purchased separately.​
• Travel agencies sell package tours combining accommodation and viewing seats, with options from Hankyu Travel, Club Tourism, Orion Tour, and others. These tours provide crowd-avoiding travel and guaranteed viewing seats.​
• Additionally, staying in towns slightly away like Nagatoro or Minano rather than around Chichibu Station and arriving at the venue by train on the day is also an effective option. By combining booking site point rewards and regional coupons, you can plan your trip even more affordably.​

Money-Saving Tips for Cuisine and Souvenirs: Utilizing Local Supermarkets and Shopping Streets

While festival day food stalls are appealing, costs can add up during extended stays. By utilizing local supermarkets and shopping streets, you can taste the same Chichibu ingredients affordably.

Particularly, the local product center and agricultural direct sales shops near Chichibu Station offer Chichibu miso, local sake, and specialty confections at reasonable prices. Additionally, food stall standards like “miso potatoes” and “waraji-katsu” are also sold at local delicatessen shops, allowing you to enjoy them while avoiding crowds.

Purchasing for takeout to eat at your lodging is also recommended. Shopping street tours are “budget-friendly and cultural” ways to enjoy, allowing you to fully savor local flavors while reducing food costs.

Ways to Enjoy Viewing Seats and Photo Spots for Free

While paid viewing seats are available at the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival), during Yoimiya (December 2), you can fully experience the power even from free areas. The south side of Chichibu Shrine and along Honmachi Street are close to float parade routes, allowing you to feel the presence even while standing.

Additionally, fireworks launches can be viewed from highlands and parking lots throughout the city, so checking terrain in advance is advisable. For photography purposes, areas around Ohanabatake Station and near Chichibu Park are relatively uncrowded and suitable for tripod use.

Depending on time, local people sometimes share spaces, and with proper etiquette, you can enjoy comfortably for free. If seeking worthwhile experiences on a budget, Yoimiya evening is optimal.

Currently Unavailable?? Using Regional Coupons and Tourism Campaigns

In recent years, Chichibu City and Saitama Prefecture have implemented tourism support campaigns, selling “Chichibu Travel Value Coupon (Ittoku Chichibu Campaign)” usable for accommodation, dining, and experiences. Coupons worth 1,500 yen face value can be purchased for 1,000 yen and used for payments at eligible facilities.​
Additionally, searching for “Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) Tours” reveals many affordable accommodation package plans.

• In addition, “GPS Mobile Stamp Rallies” using smartphones are held in the Chichibu region
• Event-type collaborations by Chichibu Railway, Seibu Railway, and others are also held
• “Experience discount plans” enabling affordable enjoyment of experiential activities and hot springs have emerged, establishing systems connecting regional economy and tourism​

By skillfully utilizing these, you can not only reduce travel costs but also more deeply enjoy Chichibu’s unique culture and nature experiences.
Particularly, the December Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) season corresponds to winter’s off-season for tourism, with accommodation rates tending to be relatively inexpensive, making it an optimal time for 1-night-2-day short trips.
By searching early for affordable plans and combining transportation, accommodation, and experiences, you can enjoy the Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) more richly.​

Summary

The Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival) is one of Japan’s premier festivals, where fireworks illuminating the winter night sky and the solemn float procession interweave. December 2, 2025 Yoimiya will be an excellent opportunity to experience the festival’s presence while avoiding crowds.

In the townscape centered on Chichibu Shrine, food stalls and vendors line up, where you can enjoy local cuisine such as miso potatoes and butamiso-don. Access is comfortable using public transportation, and more affordable stays are possible by utilizing advance reservations and regional coupons.

The Chichibu Yomatsuri (Chichibu Night Festival), where regional tradition and people’s passion intersect amid the solemn kasaboko lights and winter night breeze, provides unforgettable emotional experiences to all visitors.