THE FARM, the farm resort in Katori, Chiba Prefecture operated by The Farm Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Yasuaki Takeda), is offering a special two-night, three-day stay plan aimed mainly at overseas visitors to Japan, letting guests take part in the float-pulling and dancing of the autumn festival of the Sawara Grand Festival.
The plan is called "[2 Nights, 3 Days] Experience a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Special Sawara Grand Festival Float-Pulling Participation Plan." The stay runs from Thursday, October 8 to Saturday, October 10, 2026, with festival participation scheduled for the second day, Friday, October 9. Guests stay in a cottage at the farm resort THE FARM.
The Sawara Float Event is one of the traditions inscribed as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list "Yama, Hoko, Yatai, Float Festivals in Japan."
Through this plan, visitors to Japan join the float-pulling and dancing of the 仲川岸 neighborhood, learning festival etiquette and points to keep in mind from English-speaking neighborhood residents as they experience a tradition passed down locally for generations.
Amid the sound of festival music and calls echoing through the historic streets, guests can feel the weight of the tow rope and move in step with local residents, taking in an intensity and sense of unity that goes beyond simply watching from the sidelines.
The plan is aimed mainly at overseas visitors to Japan, and is also open to foreign nationals living or studying in Japan. The booking page is available in English.
Official plan page: https://www.thefarm.jp/topics/38728/
Reservations: https://d-reserve.jp/GSEA002F01400/GSEA002A01?hotelCode=0000001457&pl=PL00069728&rm001=1<001=0&lnum001=2&lang=en
Experiencing a UNESCO Heritage Festival From Within, Not Just From the Roadside
Photo provided by Katori City
The Sawara Grand Festival is a float festival that local residents have carried on across generations. Floats decorated with large dolls parade through the historic streets to the sound of festival music, filling the town of Sawara with calls, music, and the energy of the crowds along the route.
In this plan, guests join the float-pulling and dancing of the 仲川岸 neighborhood while respecting the flow of the festival and the neighborhood's own rules.
The aim is to let guests experience the tension of moving a float and the sense of unity with local residents — something that cannot be understood by watching from outside alone — and to take home Japan's traditional culture as a memory of something they took part in themselves.
The 仲川岸 Neighborhood's Float: A Statue of Emperor Jinmu and a Plaque Marking an Imperial Viewing
The float that participants will help pull is that of the 仲川岸 neighborhood.
Built in 1896 (Meiji 29), the float is known for its three-sided-front construction and its structure using eight through-pillars. Atop the float stands a large doll of Emperor Jinmu, said to be Japan's first emperor.
In 1978 (Showa 53), the float represented Sawara at 「全国郷土祭」, an event held at the former National Stadium to mark the 100th anniversary of the chamber of commerce and industry. On that day it was viewed by Emperor Showa, and a plaque reading 「賜天覧」("viewed by the Emperor"), which records this history, still hangs on the float today.
Participants will also learn about the float's history and the background the 仲川岸 neighborhood has carried on, deepening their understanding of the culture before taking part in the festival.
Information about the float provided by Takashi Yamakawa, chief of the 仲川岸 neighborhood.
An English-Speaking Resident of the 仲川岸 Neighborhood Accompanies Guests
During the time guests take part in the festival, they are accompanied by an English-speaking resident of the 仲川岸 neighborhood who actually takes part in the neighborhood's own festival activities.
This resident explains, in English, the flow of the float-pulling and dancing, points to keep in mind while participating, customs valued within the neighborhood, and safety rules, helping guests act in a way that respects the progress of the festival.
Rather than a general tourist guide, one of the features of this plan is that guests receive explanations directly from a neighborhood resident who actually carries the festival forward.
On the evening of the second day, a boxed dinner is served that guests share together with festival participants. It is a chance to spend time with the people who support the festival and connect with the culture woven into everyday local life.
Combining Festival Participation With a Walk Through Historic Sawara
Time to stroll through the streets of Sawara is also built into the schedule, before and after the float-pulling and dancing.
Sawara still carries on a historic streetscape that recalls the Edo to Meiji periods, with merchant houses and townhouses that flourished thanks to river trade on the Tone River.
During the festival, distinctive floats from each district parade through town. Beyond watching the floats, guests can also take in Sawara's charm outside the festival itself, through the historic streetscape, local food, and shopping.
About 25 Minutes From Narita Airport: A Farm Resort as a Base for Local Culture
Guests are based at a cottage at the farm resort THE FARM. Dinner on the first night is a THE FARM BBQ, and breakfast during the stay is a buffet served twice.
In addition to a seasonal vegetable harvesting experience, guests can also use the natural hot spring and sauna at the on-site facility Ofuro Café Karin no Yu.
After taking in the energy of the festival, guests return to THE FARM to rest in the hot spring and sauna and unwind in a space surrounded by nature. Float-pulling, connecting with local residents, a walk through Koedo Sawara, a harvest experience on the farm, a Japanese-style hot spring, and a barbecue amid nature — rather than isolating Japanese traditional culture on its own, the plan proposes a two-night, three-day stay unique to Katori that ties together culture, people, nature, farming, and food as a single journey.
Plan Overview
Plan name: [2 Nights, 3 Days] Experience a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Special Sawara Grand Festival Float-Pulling Participation Plan
Who it's for: Visitors to Japan from overseas
Stay dates: October 8 (Thursday) to October 10 (Saturday), 2026 / 2 nights, 3 days
Sales start date: September 1, 2026 (Tuesday)
Accommodation: THE FARM Cottage
Capacity: One group of 5 people
Price: From ¥63,720 per person (base rate for two people sharing a room; tax included)
What's included:
- 2 nights at a THE FARM cottage
- Breakfast buffet
- Dinner: THE FARM BBQ on the first night; a boxed dinner shared with festival participants on the second night
- Seasonal vegetable harvesting experience
- Use of on-site facilities including the natural hot spring and sauna
- Float-pulling and dance experience as a member of the 仲川岸 neighborhood
- Accompaniment and guidance from neighborhood festival participants while taking part in the festival
- A gift of an original festival fan
How to book: https://d-reserve.jp/GSEA002F01400/GSEA002A01?hotelCode=0000001457&pl=PL00069728&rm001=1<001=0&lnum001=2&lang=en
Getting to the Festival Venue
Guests who would like a taxi to the festival venue should note this in the remarks field when booking.
Taxi availability, fares, and passenger capacity will be confirmed separately. Travel times may vary during the festival period due to traffic controls and congestion.
What to Wear
Details on clothing and footwear for the festival will be provided individually after booking. Guests are asked to wear comfortable clothing and well broken-in shoes suited to extended walking.
Guests who would like to arrange a happi coat and haragake/momohiki (traditional festival wear) should note the desired items and sizes in the remarks field when booking. THE FARM will confirm availability and conditions and follow up individually.
Availability may be limited depending on size and quantity, and the happi coat and haragake/momohiki are not guaranteed.
In Case of Bad Weather or Festival Cancellation
If float-pulling or other festival experiences cannot take place due to bad weather, the festival's own operating conditions, or a decision by the neighborhood, the portion of the plan price corresponding to the festival experience will be refunded. The refund amount and method will be posted on the booking page once finalized. Other parts of the plan that can still be carried out — the stay, meals, seasonal vegetable harvesting experience, and the natural hot spring and sauna at THE FARM — will be provided as usual.
Things to Note
- Festival content, float operation, and participation times may change or be cancelled depending on weather, how the festival is progressing, and decisions by the organizers and the neighborhood.
- Float-pulling may involve extended periods of walking and standing.
- Guests should follow the guidance and instructions of neighborhood festival participants while taking part in the festival.
- Depending on age and health, guests may not be able to take part in some experiences.
- Additional fees and arrangement conditions for the happi coat, haragake/momohiki, and taxi are listed on the booking page.
- Other participation conditions and cancellation policies can be found on the booking page.
A Sample Two-Night, Three-Day Stay
Day 1: Nature and Food at the Farm Resort
Check in at a THE FARM cottage. Seasonal vegetable harvesting experience. THE FARM BBQ. Bonfire experience. Natural hot spring and sauna.
Day 2: Float-Pulling and Dancing at the Sawara Grand Festival Autumn Festival
Breakfast. Travel to Sawara. Change into a happi coat and receive guidance before the festival. Take part in float-pulling and dancing with the 仲川岸 neighborhood. Free time to stroll through Sawara's historic streets. Boxed dinner shared with festival participants. Travel back to THE FARM. Natural hot spring and sauna. Overnight at THE FARM.
Day 3: A Morning on the Farm, Then Check Out
Breakfast. Free time at THE FARM. Check out.
The schedule may change depending on how the floats are operating and how the festival is progressing.
Why THE FARM Created This Plan
THE FARM wants to offer overseas visitors to Japan more than a stay that stays entirely within the resort — a chance to connect with the people and culture of Katori.
With that in mind, THE FARM designed this plan combining a stay at the resort with participation in the Sawara Grand Festival, a tradition carried on locally for generations.
The plan is run by advance reservation only, with a limited number of groups, and puts the flow of the festival, the neighborhood's rules, and safety first. By learning the festival's background and customs from the people who carry it forward, and taking part with respect for the local culture, THE FARM hopes to create an opportunity for mutual understanding between visitors and the local community.
THE FARM hopes that what guests experience in Sawara becomes a reason to learn more about the area and to visit again.
