Kawagoe Festival Hall

The Kawagoe Festival Hall, or Kawagoe Matsuri Kaikan, stands as a dedicated museum preserving the heritage of the Kawagoe Festival, one of the Kanto region's most celebrated cultural events. Located in the heart of Kawagoe's historic Kurazukuri district, approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, this facility opened to showcase the elaborate festival that has been held annually since the Edo period.

The museum's primary focus is the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival, which dates back over 370 years to 1648 and was officially designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 2005. The festival itself gained UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2016 as part of Japan's yatai float festivals. The hall serves as year-round documentation of this living tradition, which typically takes place on the third weekend of October and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Inside the museum, visitors encounter two of the festival's magnificent dashi floats, ornately decorated multi-tiered structures that can reach heights of several meters. These floats feature elaborate carvings, dolls representing historical and mythical figures, and intricate decorations that demonstrate traditional craftsmanship.

The exhibition space recreates the festival atmosphere with sound and lighting effects that simulate the nighttime procession. A viewing area on the second floor provides an elevated perspective of the floats, allowing closer inspection of the upper tier details. The facility also screens documentary footage explaining the festival's history, preparation process, and the significance of various ritual elements.

The hall is accessible from Kawagoe Station on the JR Kawagoe Line or Hon-Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, both requiring approximately 15 to 20 minutes on foot to reach the museum. Alternatively, visitors can take the Tobu Tojo Line to Kawagoe-shi Station and walk about 18 minutes. Several bus routes also serve the area. Admission costs ¥300 for adults, with reduced rates for children and students.