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A lantern-lit float at the Chichibu Night Festival in 2016; a file photo.
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Chichibu · JapanFestivals & traditions

2026.12.02 — 2026.12.03 · Coming soon

Twenty-ton floats climb a slope under fireworks.

Chichibu Night Festival 2026

The Chichibu Night Festival is the annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine and, with Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and the Takayama festival in Hida, one of Japan’s three great float festivals; it is on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It falls every year on 2 December (the eve) and 3 December (the main day): two kasaboko and four yatai floats, heavy with carvings and embroidered curtains, are pulled through town, and the yatai unfold side stages for kabuki. The climax comes on the night of the 3rd, when floats of up to about 20 tons are hauled up the steep Dangozaka slope as winter fireworks burst overhead. The 2026 route, fireworks and kabuki times are not out yet.

Find your reason to go
A lantern-lit float at the Chichibu Night Festival in 2016; a file photo. · Report image rights
GOWOAH / Chichibu
A REASON TO GO
Chichibu Shrine and the streets of central Chichibu2026.12.02 — 2026.12.03Festivals & traditionsAdmission cost unconfirmed
FIND YOUR REASON

What draws you to this experience?

01

Floats up Dangozaka

Floats of up to about 20 tons are hauled up the steep Dangozaka slope by crowds of pullers, to the drums of the Chichibu float music.

Festivals & traditions
02

Fireworks in the winter sky

In the clear early-winter sky, rapid-fire fireworks and huge star mines burst above the lantern-lit floats.

Festivals & traditions
03

Kabuki on a float

The yatai floats unfold side stages for kabuki, taken in turn by the four floats each year, with hiki-odori dances to nagauta.

Festivals & traditions
Programme, background & sources

Checked · 2026-10-18

A LITTLE CLOSER

A closer look.

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2016 · ちちびあん · Photo source · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Preview cropped; enlarge for full image. · Report image rights

MAKE IT YOUR EXPERIENCE

Does this fit what you are looking for?

This could be for you if you are…

  • Lovers of traditional festivals
  • Anyone after winter fireworks

Before you decide

The 2026 route, fireworks and kabuki times are not out yet.

The night of 3 December is extremely crowded, and trains home fill up.

Winter nights are cold; dress warmly for the fireworks.

FIND YOUR PLACE

Explore the layout. Plan your route.

This year’s procession route and traffic map are not out yet.

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FROM AN IDEA TO A PLAN

Make a plan that works for you.

01

Dates & times

2026.12.02 — 2026.12.03

Wednesday 2 December 2026 (the eve) and Thursday 3 December (the main festival), Japan time; procession, fireworks and kabuki times to be announced.

Asia/Tokyo
More programme details
  • Floats up Dangozaka
  • Fireworks in the winter sky
  • Kabuki on a float
02

Venue & travel

Chichibu Shrine and the streets of central Chichibu

The festival fills Chichibu Shrine and central Chichibu, a walk from Seibu-Chichibu or Chichibu Railway’s Chichibu station; temporary parking is to be announced.

03

Entry & companions

The Chichibu Tourism Association sells reserved "B" viewing seats for 3 December at 4,000 yen each, charged from age three: 200 in person on the fifth floor of the Yao department store from 31 October to 3 November (10am–6.30pm, cash only, up to four each), and 150 by postcard, postmarked 19–22 October and drawn on 27 October, with 1,000 yen postage per order. Temporary parking and traffic arrangements are still to come.

04

Tickets & access

B seats 4,000 yen (reserved, 3 December)

Confirm accessibility services and companion policies with the organiser before travel.

Sources & image credits

Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.

ちちびあん · CC BY-SA 4.0 Image source

Chichibu Shrine (annual grand festival)

A lantern-lit float at the Chichibu Night Festival in 2016; a file photo.

Information checked on 2026-10-18

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