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Gyoda’s Hanachozu Flower Arrangement Displays

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Gyoda’s Hanachozu Flower Arrangement Displays

A castle town’s healing response to the pandemic becomes a sightseeing attraction

Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture

In spring 2020, Gyoda Hachiman Shrine, located about 1 hour and 30 minutes north of Tokyo, developed a new tradition of decorating its purifying fountains, known as “chozusha,” with colorful seasonal flowers. These artistic arrangements, named “hanachōzu,” were a healing response for worshippers during the pandemic and have become a popular sightseeing attraction in shrines around Japan in the wake of COVID-19.

In Gyoda, hanachōzu have spread from the Hachiman Shrine to nearby Sakitama Shrine, the town’s shopping streets, and even the eaves of private homes. Since 2021, people have begun to display floating flowers in fonts and basins throughout the town for Hanachōzu Week, which is held for a limited time from the 1st to the 14th of every month. There is also a monthly “light up” event in which the hanachōzu are illuminated.

Gyoda is a castle town and you can also see Oshi Castle illuminated at night on the first Saturday of every month for the Kibou no Hikari event (times and dates may vary).