Kawagoe Spring Festival - A Historic Spring Celebration in Little Edo

The Little Edo Kawagoe Spring Festival, held in the central downtown area of Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, is a spring tradition where visitors can experience history and culture amid the charming streetscape of traditional kura (storehouse) architecture reminiscent of the Edo period. This festival, which has continued since the early 1990s, is packed with highlights that bring Edo-era techniques and arts to the present day, including dynamic demonstrations and thunderous gunfire performances by the Kawagoe Domain Matchlock Rifle Corps, and ladder climbing displays by the Kawagoe Tobi (firefighter) Union. During the festival period, the entire city comes alive with diverse programs such as "Edo no Hi" (Edo Day) where shop owners on Ichibangai street welcome visitors dressed in Edo period costumes, cherry blossom boat cruises on the Shingashi River, street performances, and taiko drum shows. This circuit-style festival allows visitors to explore historic sites from Rengein Temple to Kawagoe Castle Honmaru Goten while enjoying the festivities. From families to history enthusiasts, this grand spring event offers a wide range of appeal, allowing everyone to fully savor the charm of Little Edo Kawagoe.