About the festival
Sawara Grand Festival brings floats topped with large figures through Katori's historic streets. Sawara-bayashi musicians accompany the turns and maneuvers in the narrow lanes.
Who is it for?
Visitors who enjoy carved floats and an old-town walk combined with evening festival scenes.
Photo: katorisi · CC BY 3.0
Original date: 2007-10-17. Original image or Commons thumbnail; no additional edits.
Dates and times
Autumn: 9–11 October 2026, 10:00–22:00; summer festival held separately in July
Upcoming confirmed edition. Times use JST. See the official programme for session times and changes.
Venue and parade route
Katori / Sawara · 香取・佐原
Summer takes place east of the Ono River around Yasaka Shrine. Autumn uses streets west of the river around Suwa Shrine. Floats leave from different neighborhoods; Sawara Station is not a single common starting point.
佐原の町並み
The map pin marks a reference venue, rather than every entrance or the full parade route.
Getting there by train or bus
- From Tokyo, travel via Chiba and Narita to Sawara Station. Autumn viewing streets are walkable from the station. The 2026 temporary Ayame service from Shinjuku runs on 10–11 October; check the linked JR notice for times and reservations.
What to see
- Large figure-topped floats
- Sawara-bayashi music
- Historic-street maneuvers
History and origins
The float tradition has around 300 years of history. The summer and autumn shrine festivals together are known as Sawara Grand Festival.
Planning your visit
Our editorial suggestions for planning your trip.
See the carvings by day and illuminated floats in the evening. Stand clear of turning floats and keep the route open.
Places to visit nearby
The Inoh Tadataka Museum
伊能忠敬記念館
Maps and surveying materials connected with Inoh Tadataka.
Visit the museum and riverside streets by day, then watch the evening floats nearby.
These stops and the suggested order are editorial recommendations. Check each venue's opening hours and festival-day road closures before travelling.
Sawara Grand Festival: common questions
When is Sawara Grand Festival?
Autumn: 9–11 October 2026, 10:00–22:00; summer festival held separately in July These dates refer to the stated edition; they do not confirm dates for a later year. Times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
Where does Sawara Grand Festival take place?
Summer takes place east of the Ono River around Yasaka Shrine. Autumn uses streets west of the river around Suwa Shrine. Floats leave from different neighborhoods; Sawara Station is not a single common starting point.
How do I get to Sawara Grand Festival by public transport?
From Tokyo, travel via Chiba and Narita to Sawara Station. Autumn viewing streets are walkable from the station. The 2026 temporary Ayame service from Shinjuku runs on 10–11 October; check the linked JR notice for times and reservations.
Do the summer and autumn festivals use the same streets?
No. Summer centers east of the Ono River and autumn west of it. Use the route map for the season you are visiting.
Official sources
- Festival and visitor guide 1 (www.city.katori.lg.jp) ↗
- Festival and visitor guide 2 (www.city.katori.lg.jp) ↗
Sources reviewed: .