History and Culture
Walking
Kawagoe
Near Tokyo! Limited spots! A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional culture of the Kawagoe Festival
The Kawagoe Festival is a rare and valuable cultural event that has preserved the Edo-era Tenka Festival style and spirit for over 370 years. It’s especially notable for its dashi-hiki (traditional float pulling), a tradition that’s becoming rare in Tokyo festivals. Normally held in October, this annual festival is now available as a limited-capacity tour in January. For tour participants, exclusive experiences include seeing ohayashi performances (traditional music and dance on festival floats) up close and even joining in dances with performers wearing masks and lion costumes—activities typically reserved for locals. During mealtime, the makers of Kagamiyama, a local sake crafted at Kawagoe’s only remaining sake brewery and upholder of Little Edo tradition, will join guests to offer sake pairings with the kaiseki course and provide insight into each pairing. At the Festival Museum, participants can dress in festival attire, soak up the festival atmosphere, and enjoy a guided tour from a local expert on the festival’s history. Other hands-on experiences include Japanese bookbinding with festival-inspired designs. This exclusive tour in Kawagoe, near Tokyo, offers a truly unique experience only available at this time of year.
[Experience content]
– [Festival experience 1]
At the Kawagoe Festival Museum, participants can wear festival costumes, immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere, and enjoy a detailed explanation from a knowledgeable local guide.
– [Festival experience 2]
A guided tour of the historic Kurazukuri district, known for its Edo-era clay-walled warehouse-style buildings, with insights that bring to life the sights of the Kawagoe Festival day.
– [Festival experience 3]
A hands-on watoji (Japanese bookbinding) workshop using Japanese paper with festival designs. Guests can take home their creations as souvenirs.
– [Festival experience 4]
The creators of Kagamiyama, Kawagoe’s only traditional sake, will join the group at mealtime, offering sake pairings with the kaiseki meal and sharing the story behind each pairing.
– [Festival experience 5]
A private ohayashi performance on a festival float, exclusively for tour participants, with the opportunity to join in the dance alongside performers in masks and lion costumes.
[Meal content]
– A kaiseki meal at Ryotei Yamaya, featuring a beautiful garden view and a seasonal menu exclusive to this tour.
– During the meal, the creators of Kawagoe’s traditional sake Kagamiyama will join, offering sake pairings that perfectly complement the kaiseki cuisine, along with detailed explanations.
【Opening Day】
2025/1/16 (Thu), 2025/1/23 (Thu), 2025/1/29 (Wed), 2025/1/30 (Thu)
【Time】
(1) Meeting: 9:30 Dissolution: 15:00 (2) Meeting: 14:30 Dissolution: 20:00
[Tour fee] (tax included)
48,000 yen (52,800 yen including tax) per person (13 years and over)
24,000 yen (26,400 yen including tax) per person (3 to 12 years old)
*Free for children under 3 years old (no meals provided)
[Payment Method]
Credit card payment
[Minimum number of participants]
1 person
[Maximum number of applicants]
20 people
【Gathering Place】
Resona Koedo Terrace (4-1 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe-shi)
【Starting place】
Kawagoe Festival Hall (2-1-10 Motomachi, Kawagoe City)
Sakurai Printing Inc. ~ Bunseisya ~ (Kawagoe City Motomachi 2−4−5)
Yamaya Ryotei (11-2 Saiwai-cho, Kawagoe City)
