The Kumagaya Uchiwa Festival is a Gion Festival celebrated every year in Saitama Prefecture's Kumagaya City. Historically a rice and red bean dish called sekihan would be prepared to ward off illness and pray for health, but in Kumagaya this traditional dish was replaced by paper fans, called uchiwa, which accounts for the current name of the festival. Participants are welcomed to take part in pulling the massive floats and playing taiko drums and festival music. Those new to Japanese festivals and finding themselves a bit shy of jumping right into the thick of things are encouraged to visit the information center.

Visitors may want to note that the festival float displays and parades on the 7/20 (from 7 p.m.), 7/21 (from 1 p.m.) and 7/22 (from 8 p.m.) are of particular interest.

Date: July 20 (Wednesday) - 22 (Friday)

Access: North of JR Kumagaya Station.