About the festival
Chichibu Night Festival brings decorated floats through town, with the largest events on 3 December. Daytime craft viewing and the evening procession suit different plans.
Who is it for?
Float-craft enthusiasts and visitors willing to plan for a busy winter evening.
Photo: Katorisi · CC BY 4.0
Original date: 2022-12-02 10:50:13. Original image or Commons thumbnail; no additional edits.
Dates and times
Usually 2–3 December; next edition's program awaits confirmation
Usual season; next dates not confirmed. Times use JST. See the official programme for session times and changes.
Venue and parade route
Chichibu · 秩父
Floats appear around Chichibu Shrine and downtown. On the evening of 3 December they climb Dangozaka toward the Otabisho; each float has its own neighborhood and schedule.
秩父神社・市内屋台曳行コース
The map pin marks a reference venue, rather than every entrance or the full parade route.
Getting there by train or bus
- From Ikebukuro, take a Seibu limited express to Seibu-Chichibu, about 15 minutes on foot from the shrine. Chichibu Railway's Chichibu Station is a different station, about three minutes away.
What to see
- Decorated floats
- Dangozaka ascent
- Scheduled fireworks
History and origins
The festival has over 300 years of tradition linked to Chichibu Shrine and the town's silk trade.
Planning your visit
Our editorial suggestions for planning your trip.
Look at float details by day, or plan around the evening of the 3rd. Choose your return train and station before the crowds build.
Places to visit nearby
Chichibu Festival Museum
秩父まつり会館
Float displays and audiovisual exhibits explaining the night festival.
Visit near the shrine before the procession; festival-day opening arrangements may differ.
These stops and the suggested order are editorial recommendations. Check each venue's opening hours and festival-day road closures before travelling.
Chichibu Night Festival: common questions
When is Chichibu Night Festival?
Usually 2–3 December; next edition's program awaits confirmation This is the usual season, rather than a confirmed timetable for the next edition. Times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
Where does Chichibu Night Festival take place?
Floats appear around Chichibu Shrine and downtown. On the evening of 3 December they climb Dangozaka toward the Otabisho; each float has its own neighborhood and schedule.
How do I get to Chichibu Night Festival by public transport?
From Ikebukuro, take a Seibu limited express to Seibu-Chichibu, about 15 minutes on foot from the shrine. Chichibu Railway's Chichibu Station is a different station, about three minutes away.
Are Seibu-Chichibu and Chichibu Station the same station?
No. They serve different railways and have different walking routes to the shrine. Check which station your train uses.
Official sources
- Festival and visitor guide 1 (www.chichibu-omotenashi.com) ↗
- Festival and visitor guide 2 (www.chichibu-jinja.or.jp) ↗
Sources reviewed: .