Gorgeous dashi floats carrying intricately decorated dolls are paraded through central Kawagoe, mainly along streets lined with traditional warehouse buildings symbolic of this city nicknamed “Little Edo.” The sight of many floats encountering each other at intersections and passing by overwhelms spectators with its sheer scale.
In February 2005, the festival was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property under the name “Kawagoe Hikawa Festival Float Event,” and in December 2016, it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Event Dates	Every year on the third Sunday of October and the day before
Event Details	October 17 (Saturday) to 18 (Sunday), 2026 Please see the official website for details.
Official site	https://www.kawagoematsuri.jp/English/index.html
Location (venue)	Central area of Kawagoe City
Price	Free admission

Region	Kanto
Category	Shrines and temples, Traditional performing arts

Event organizers may change the date and time. Please check the official website.

update: Aug.18.2026