Mikoshi, a portable shrine into the river! Chichibu Kawase Fest.
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The highlight of this tour is Mikoshi(a portable shrine) Arai(purifying) in the river!
At the Chichibu Festival Museum, you can experience the immersive "Chichibu Night Festival" by watching projection mapping and videos, as well as a virtual experience of Chichibu's seasonal festivals in a 3D theater. Chichibu has over 400 festivals every year!
This is the only place to experience the immersive Chichibu Night Festival held on December 2nd and 3rd every year.
You will know about Kawase Festival, too
Chichibu shrine (one of the famous sacred sites in Saitama prefecture) has a history of over 2100 years. You can see magnificent carved sculptures as well as experience traditional Japanese culture by pulling a unique fortune slip.
Lastly, you enjoy downtown Chichibu, which has a nostalgic vibe.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
admission fee of Chichibu Festival Museum
All Fees and Taxes
Lunch
What To Expect
11:00 am Meet up (Chichibu Station of Chichibu Railway Company) 11:15 am You will go to the Arakawa River to watch Mikoshi Arai. (A portable shrine goes into the river.) You can see beautiful floats and Kasaboko (floats with parasols). You can listen to the powerful Chichibu Yatai Bayashi(traditional festival music) played in the floats. (＊The guide loves Chichibu Yatai Bayashi so much and has been practicing it for 37 years.) (＊Lunch （Please take whatever lunch you like at food stands or a restaurant the guide takes you.） 3:00 pm "Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan" (Festival Museum) This museum provides you with a 3D theater in English and projection mapping. You will know about the culture and the festivals in Chichibu. 4:00 pm Chichibu Shrine, which has impressive wood carvings on the eaves. 4:30 pm dismiss on site (Chichibu Shrine) ＊After dismissing, you can enjoy exploring downtown Chichibu: the quaint shops, cafes, local gourmet food, and many food stands.
Options
Mikoshi, a portable shrine into the river! Chichibu Kawase Fest.
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must-see festival came to life through the guide's thoughtful explanations
Anonymous,
Aug 8, 2024
- Viator
5.00It was so nice to be guided through the festival by a professional guide, Sachiko. Even though I can read Japanese, she was able to give so much insight, deepening the experience far beyond what I would have found had I gone alone. Having such a vibrant festival punctuated by snippets of folklore and local customs really brought the significance of it all into focus for me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
It's exciting! 'Mikoshi' moves powerfullly in the river
T H,
Jul 27, 2024
- Viator
5.00The tour was held on the day (July 20) of 'Kawase' festival' (the summer festival) organized by Chichibu shrine. The festival is a major festival that is a companion to the night festival held in early December. At first, we briefly learned about annuary festivals in Chichibu area in Chichibu 'Matsuri' (festival) museum, then we moved to Chichibu shrine near the museum. There was 'Mikoshi' (a moving shrine), and it was just ready to be carried by representative young guys selected from every district in Chichibu area. After the Mikoshi started moving headed to 'Arakawa' river, we were taken to the precinct of Chichibu shrine and were received explanations about origin and history of the shrine, brilliant statues that decorate the shrine building, and about one of the enshrined gods, 'Myoken-sama' --- a female goddess which was deified as the polar star and the Big Dipper. The story of a once-a-year secret meeting on the day of night festival (Dec. 3) between the Myoken-sama and a male god of Mt. Buko (located south side of Chichibu shrine) was visionary and fascinating. Leaving Chichibu shrine, we followed the procession of the Mikoshi, got ahead of the Mikoshi at a resting point and went to the riverside, at which we waited the Mikoshi arriving. The Mikoshi arrived with powerful shouts, and after a while, it went into the river and headed upstream to the place where an ablution of the Mikoshi is performed. We moved to upstream along riverside to see the ablution. Unfortunately, I couldn't see it because there were already lots of people before me. After the tour, however, the tour guide sent me a movie of the ablution, which was taken by a participant of the tour who is taller than me. Thank you so much for their kindness. The movement of the Mikoshi to the upstream river was very fast and powerful. The Mikoshi- carrier guys were very brave to muster all their strength and move forward. It seemed to be the climax of the summer festival. The tour guide is an expert of festivals in Chichibu. She knows much about Chichibu area other than ordinary guide-book knowledges. Because of this, her guiding talk was realistic and vivid, and full of local love. Many people of all ages in the area, from elementary and junior high students to the elderly, participated in this festival and seemed to be having much fun. The festival looked like a manifestation of the plain faith of the people to the local shrine and its god/goddess, which has been passed down through a long history. Looking at the people involved in the festival gave me a glimpse of the spiritual climate in this local area. Since I enjoyed and was much satisfied with the tour, I'd like to strongly recommend the tour to the people who wants to experience the reality of local culture in Japan.
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