Winter Festivals in the Tokyo Suburbs

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Fireworks, Floats, and Lucky Charms at Tokyo’s Winter Festivals

Beautiful fireworks light up the sky to close the Chichibu Night Festival. | Photo credit: Chichibu Tourism Association

Various festivals and events are held in different parts of Japan throughout the year. Winter festivals seem to have a strong association with the snow festivals held in the Hokkaido and Tohoku areas, but in fact, many festivals unique to winter are also held in the Tokyo suburbs. Here are three traditional winter festivals held at shrines and temples. Japan can get quite cold in the winter, so make sure you pack scarves, gloves, and thick undergarments for your trip.

Magnificent floats and Kasaboko: Chichibu Night Festival (Saitama)

The Chichibu Night Festival in Saitama Prefecture is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. | Photo credit: Chichibu Tourism Association

Registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Chichibu Night Festival is held at Chichibu Shrine in the Saitama Prefecture every December 2 and 3. This historic festival dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868), and along with the Gion Festival in Kyoto and the Takayama Festival in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, it is considered to be one of Japan’s major Hikiyama festivals (or festivals where floats are pulled along in a line).

The climax of the festival is the float towing on December 3. Don’t miss the scene where the bonbori (paper-covered lanterns) sway, and four floats from the local communities and two Kasaboko (flower parasol floats) decorated with colorful sculptures are pulled up the steep slope of the otabisho (a temporary resting place during a ritual procession). You’ll find yourself cheering with the crowds! With the sound of beating drums in the background, the appearance of the floats and Kasaboko proceeding forward like a ship is quite impressive. Stay a little longer to catch 7,000 fireworks at Hitsujiyama Park from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The air is clear in winter, so fireworks lighting up the night sky is sure to be a wonderful memory!

Event Date: December 2-3 (Please check the official website for the latest schedule and information.)
Access: It takes about 2.5 hours from Tokyo Station to Chichibu Station or about 2 hours and 10 minutes to Seibu-Chichibu Station. About 3 minutes on foot from Chichibu Station, and about 15 minutes on foot from Seibu-Chichibu Station if arriving on the Seibu-Chichibu Line

Return to Fudo: A memorial service for burning old amulets (Chiba)

Amulets are burned every year to show gratitude for blessings from Fudō Myō-ō.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is one of the most prominent temples in Japan, visited by over 10 million worshipers annually.

Every December 28 at 11 a.m., the traditional Return to Fudo Old Amulet Burning Service is held on the west side of the main shrine hall. This event is a prayer of gratitude for the year-long blessing from the principal deity, Fudō Myō-ō (more commonly known as Fudō-sama), and participants burn the old O-goma Fuda, a talisman for the spiritual virtues of the Fudo that were enshrined in homes and companies. Attendees pray with their hands facing the burning flames in the solemn atmosphere of the sutra chants.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is easy to reach from Narita Airport, so be sure to stop by the shrine either upon your arrival, on your way back, or even when making a transfer!

The area is also popular for the many restaurants that serve delicious eel dishes.

There are many restaurants and souvenir shops lined up on Omotesando (road leading to the shrine), which stretches about 800 meters from Narita Station to Shinshoji Temple. It is especially famous for its many eel restaurants too!

Event Date: December 28 (Please check the official website for the latest schedules and information.)

Access: It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to get to Keisei Narita Station from Tokyo, and about 10 minutes on foot from Keisei Narita Station.

Make a request to the god of good luck, Fuku Daruma: Nanakusa Taisai Daruma Ichi (Gunma)

(Left) Daruma is an ornament based on the Dharma sitting in a Zen position. (Right) Said to bring luck, it is sought after by worshipers.

The Shorinzan Nanakusa Taisai Daruma Ichi is held every January 6 and 7 at Shorinzan Daruma-ji, an Obaku sect temple situated in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture.

It is a historical traditional event that has been passed down since its founding about 320 years ago. Daruma refers to a monk from India who introduced Buddhism to China. In Japan, Daruma is an ornament that imitates the Dharma sitting in Zen position.

Lucky Daruma of various sizes are sold to visitors who attend and celebrate the festival.

Sold at the beginning of the year, the lucky Fuku Daruma (or traditional doll modeled after the founder of Zen Buddhism) is said to have originated from the Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple. Lots of worshipers buy Daruma from the night festival before the 6th, so expect it to be bustling with people.

Lucky Daruma of various sizes are also sold at food stands during the event. In addition, Noh and Kyogen (traditional Japanese theater performances) are held in the large hall of the Shorinzan Hoshi Matsuri Noh Kanze School on the night of the 6th.

Event Date: Every January 6 and 7 (Please check the official website for the latest schedules and information.)

Access: It takes about 1 hour from Tokyo to Takasaki Station by Shinkansen. From Takasaki Station on the JR Takasaki Line, take the Gururin Shorinzan Line Bus bound for Notsuke (West Exit No. 1), ride for about 20 minutes, and get off at the bus stop Syorinzan Iriguchi.

Refer to the following for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article

Kanto

https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kanto/
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Kanto/

Saitama

https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kanto/saitama/
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Saitama/
https://www.pref.saitama.lg.jp/chokotabi-saitama/eng/index.html

Chiba

https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kanto/chiba/
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/chiba/
http://japan-chiba-guide.com/en/index.html

Gunma

https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kanto/gunma/
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/gunnma/
http://japan-chiba-guide.com/en/index.html

5 Transportation Passes for Affordable Travelling Around Kanto
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/enjoy-smart-trip-travel-passes/4-transportation-passes-affordable-travelling-around-kanto/

Chichibu Night Festival

Chichibu Shrine: http://www.chichibu-jinja.or.jp/（Japanese only）
About Chichibu Night Festival: http://www.chichibu-matsuri.jp/en/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i7feJ0Ll6c&feature=youtu.be

Return to Fudo: a memorial service for burning old amulets
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple: https://www.naritasan.or.jp/english/

Shorinzan Nanakusataisai Darumaichi
Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple: http://www.daruma.or.jp/eng/index.html

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