Kumagaya is known for its numerous festivals. The four main festivals are the Fan Festival, the Fireworks, the Ebisu Festival, and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
January 15
Yomego Kannon (Mikajiri, Ryusen-ji Temple)
February 7
Daruma Doll Market (city center, Hoshi-kawa River)
Dolls are bought in hopes to ward off evil, for good fortune, business prosperity, family's safety, and good harvest.
February 28
Fudo-sama (Sayada, Eifuku-ji Temple)
March 15
Obisha (Tamai, Tamai Jinja Shrine)
2nd Sunday in April, 3rd Sunday in July
Bojutsu (Oaso, Zensho-ji Temple)
Early April
Also known as "Kumagaya Cherry Blossom Festival," this event is held in April when the beautiful somei-yoshino cherry blossoms are in full bloom. This spot is one of Japan's 100 cherry blossom viewing locations.
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June 30
Worshipers pass through a big ring as they pray to ward off ailments through the summer.
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July 20 - 22
A festival held by Yasaka Jinja Shrine to ward off ailments and pray for good harvest and prosperous business. The city hosts one of the most famous festivals in the Kanto region with a dynamic procession of floats and festival music. Sekihan (rice cooked with beans) has always been made for this special occasion in hopes for good health. The rice was distributed at the shopping district during the festival until one summer, a shop keeper passed out fans instead of the sekihan. Since then, the summer festival has also been called the Fan Festival.
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2nd Saturday of August
Fireworks (Banks of the Arakawa River)
Some of the fireworks are acclaimed as Kanto's best.
August 16
Lantern Offering (city center, Hoshi-kawa River)
An event held on a summer evening to worship those who were killed by air bombs during the war. Several hundreds of lanterns are lit and released down the Hoshi-kawa River.
October 10
Buddha Lantern Offering (Koizuka, Joju-in Temple)
Late November
Furusato (Hometown) Fair (Chuo Koen Park)
This fair is held to promote the local industry. Display and sale of local fresh produce, exhibits of specialties, and other events of interest are held during the fair.
Late November
Ebisu Festival (city center)
Held mainly for store owners to pray for prosperity, this festival features two figures: the Ebisu and the Daikoku. These worship figures proceed through town accompanied by young children.
December 8
Tori-no-ichi Market (Honcho, Takagi Jinja Shrine)
Various good luck charms and talisman items are sold at the shrine market. These goods are believed to bring good luck in the new year.
