Things to do in May 2025 near Tokyo
Looking for things to do in May near Tokyo? May is a great time to visit Japan with flowers, spring events, and pottery fairs.
Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival
熊谷うちわ祭 (熊谷）
Experience the excitement of the largest Gion Festival North of Tokyo
Last updated by Angus M
on April 22, 2025
We're sure this is happening, but dates & times have NOT been confirmed yet.
DATE
2024
: 20th (Sat) to 22nd (Mon) July
Days
Hours
Min
Sec
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
*Information last checked on 2025-04-22
TIME & SCHEDULE
20th
6 pm to late evening – Festival floats and Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming
21st
1 pm to late evening – Festival floats and Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming
22th
8 pm to midnight – Festival floats and Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
*Information last checked on 2025-04-22
COST
Free
*Information last checked on 2025-04-22
How to enjoy the Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival ?
Picturesque scenery (Great for Instagram pics!)
Experience Traditional Japan
Enjoy food stalls
Enjoy for half a day
Fun for a group
Fun single traveler
🔥Now THAT’S What We Call Japanese Summer!👘
Hailed as the biggest Gion festival in the region, 🔥Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people ☀️every summer. This 3-day-festival is said to have started in the 👘Edo period and is especially known for its 👏🏼massive floats and 🔥powerful drumming performances.
The floats are carried out from 👘Atago Yasaka Shrine on the first day, and are proudly shouldered through the town at various times across 3 days. Don’t miss the fierce 🔥taiko drumming competition at around 8pm on the 3rd day! The festivities won’t stop all evening until the floats are safely returned to the shrine at 2am!
Try out the 🍡food vendors, 📷follow the exquisite floats, and witness the 💥festive matsuri-spirit bring the people together!
What else to do nearby Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival?
Relax at an Onsen Glamping facility
Places to EAT in Kumagaya City
Places to STAY in Kumagaya City
Hotels (Western Style)
Kumagaya City is a large townd and there are many business style budget hotels near the station.
Access (How to get to Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival)
How to get there
Public Transport
40min from Tokyo (Ueno Sta.) by train (Shinkansen).
Car
1h 40min drive from Tokyo (East side) by car (Much easier to use public transport to the festival)
Location & Address
Address
Areas around Yasaka Shrine and Kumagaya Station
Atago Yasaka Shrine: 44 Kamakuracho, Kumagaya City, Saitama Pref. 360-0046
Kumagaya Station: 2 Chome-115 Tsukuba, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0037
愛宕八坂神社 〒360-0046 埼玉県熊谷市鎌倉町44
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Kumagaya Station (JR Takasaki Line, Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen)
Travel to Kumagaya Station and the festival won’t be hard to miss.
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Higashi-Matsuyama IC on Kan-etsu Expressway
Approximately 20 minutes from the Higashi-Matsuyama IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway. (Using public transportation is highly recommended, given traffic restrictions and limited parking spaces during the festival)
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Contact Details (Event Organizer)
For information about this event, please contact the Kumagaya Tourism Association directly.
Tel: +81 (0) 48-594-6677
Websites
Official English Event Website (External Link – English)
Official Japanese Event Website (External Link – Japanese)
English City Website (External Link – English)
Disclaimer: NearbyTokyo.com strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information by researching and contacting event organizers. All information on the page is provided in good faith. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, reliability, or availability of any information found here. Readers are encouraged to verify any information with official sources.
