Highlights
- Six ornate floats and kasaboko hauled up the steep Dangozaka slope to the shrine
- About two hours of winter fireworks — a rarity for the cold season
- The night spectacle of lantern-covered floats moving through dark streets
Background & story
A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event with over 300 years of history, the Chichibu Night Festival ranks among Japan's three great float festivals alongside Gion and Takayama.
The Chichibu Night Festival 2026 is one of Japan's three great float festivals, alongside Gion and the Takayama Festival — UNESCO-listed, 300+ years old — where lantern-covered floats are hauled up Dangozaka slope as winter fireworks fill the sky. The peak night is December 3, 2026. It is free to attend. This page has the dates, venue and access.
2026 dates & times
- Festival: December 2 (Wed) – December 3 (Thu), 2026; December 3 is the main night.
- The floats climb Dangozaka toward the shrine around 19:00 on the 3rd, with fireworks for roughly two hours — rare for winter.
- Free; paid grandstand seats near the hill climb are sold in advance.
Venue & access
- Where: Chichibu Shrine and central Chichibu City, Saitama.
- Nearest: a few minutes' walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station; about 80 minutes by Limited Express from Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
What to see
- Ornate floats (yatai and kasaboko) hauled up Dangozaka to the shrine.
- About two hours of winter fireworks over the town.
- Lantern-draped floats moving through the dark streets — a spectacular night scene.
Tips for visitors
It is genuinely cold — full winter gear. Stake out a spot near Dangozaka before the climb around 7pm on Dec 3, and check the last Limited Express time back to Ikebukuro before you settle in.
Source: japan.travel. Dates and program as listed for the fixed Dec 2–3 festival; confirm grandstand sales and any change locally.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- A few minutes' walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station; about 80 minutes by Limited Express from Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, date night
Good to know
It is genuinely cold — dress for winter, and stake out a spot near Dangozaka before the floats begin their climb around 7pm on Dec 3.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Chichibu Night Festival 2026?
- December 2–3, 2026 (Wed–Thu) — the festival is held on the same fixed dates every year. The main night is December 3, when the floats climb Dangozaka from around 7pm and winter fireworks run for roughly two hours.
- Is the Chichibu Night Festival free?
- Yes — attending is free. Paid grandstand (sajiki) seats near the Dangozaka climb are sold in advance for the main night.
- How do I get to the Chichibu Night Festival from Tokyo?
- Take the Seibu Limited Express from Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu Station (about 80 minutes); the festival area is a few minutes' walk away. Check the last train back before you settle in — it is a cold December night.
Getting there
Chichibu Shrine and central Chichibu City — 1-3 Banba-machi, Chichibu City, Saitama