Chichibu Shrine

Chichibu shrine, which enshrines several gods and has a history of over 2,100 years, is one of the oldest shrines in the Kanto region. The present pavilion was contributed by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1592 and preserves the architectural style of the early Edo period; it has been designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Saitama. The annual Chichibu Night Festival held on December 3 is one of Japan's three major float festivals along with Kyoto Gion Festival and Hida Takayama Festival. Its gorgeous yatai (floats), powerful ohayashi (traditional Japanese festival music) and grand fireworks display are very famous. Some 200,000 visitors from all over Japan join the festival every year. Also in the Chichibu region, many kagura (Shinto theatrical dances) have been handed down along with kabuki and lion dances. The kagura of Chichibu Shrine in particular, called jindai kagura, is performed based on classical mythology. Listed as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, it is dedicated to the gods of the shrine every month. A three-minute walk from Chichibu Station on the Chichibu Railway, or a 15-minute walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station on the Seibu Railway.