10 winter festivals and markets in Kanto
- The Chichibu Night Festival takes place on December 2 for the eve and December 3, 2026 for the main festival.
- Setagaya Boro-ichi is held on December 15–16 and January 15–16, and Sensoji Hagoita-ichi on December 17–19.
- All of the festivals and markets are free to watch.
Kanto’s winter festivals and markets start with the Chichibu Night Festival on December 2 and 3. In December, markets selling rakes (kumade), battledore paddles (hagoita) and New Year decorations follow, in January come the daruma market and the Usokae ritual, and in February the Setsubun ceremonies and the Itabashi Taasobi. This page lists 10 events whose dates could be confirmed with official sources, in the order they open. For some events the 2026–27 dates are out, and for others only the 2025–26 record is available; the table and each section say which.
In short
- A big festival that runs into the night: the Chichibu Night Festival (on the night of December 3 the floats move until about 22:00).
- Markets to buy a kumade (a decorative rake for good fortune): Tokamachi (Omiya) and Juninichi-machi (Urawa). Both go ahead in rain.
- Buying a daruma doll: the Shorinzan Nanakusa Taisai Daruma Market (Takasaki, January 6–7, 2027, overnight).
- Watching bean-throwing: the Setsubun ceremonies at Sensoji and Naritasan Shinshoji (February 3 in 2026).
Checked with official pages on November 1, 2026 (Japan time).
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1. Dates and nearest stations of the 10 winter festivals and markets
Many December events fall on weekdays: in 2026 the Chichibu Night Festival is on Wednesday and Thursday, Tokamachi on Thursday, and the Boro-ichi on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tap a name to jump to the section for that event.
| Event | Dates | Nearest station and walk | Entry and cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chichibu Night Festival | Dec 2 (eve) and Dec 3 (main festival), 2026 | 3 min from Chichibu Station (Chichibu Shrine) | Free to watch; seats are paid |
| Tokamachi | Dec 10 in 2025 (2026 not yet announced) | 10 min from Kita-Omiya, 20 min from the east exit of Omiya | Free; Fuku-kumade ¥3,000 (large), ¥1,500 (small) |
| Juninichi-machi | Dec 12 in 2025 (2026 not yet announced) | 10 min from the west exit of Urawa | Free; “kakkome” ¥2,000 |
| Setagaya Boro-ichi | Dec 15–16 and Jan 15–16 | 3 min from Setagaya or Kamimachi | Free |
| Sensoji Hagoita-ichi | Dec 17–19 | 5 min from Asakusa | Free |
| Shorinzan Daruma Market | Jan 6–7, 2027 | About 20 min from Gunma-Yawata | Free |
| Kameido Tenjin Usokae | Jan 24–25 every year | About 10 min from Kameido or Kinshicho | Wooden “uso” birds ¥500–¥7,000 (2026) |
| Sensoji Setsubun-e | Feb 3 in 2026 | 5 min from Asakusa | Free to watch |
| Naritasan Setsubun-e | Feb 3 in 2026 | About 10 min from Keisei Narita or JR Narita | Free to watch; joining the “Kaiun bean-throwing” is ¥10,000 |
| Itabashi Taasobi | Evenings of Feb 11 and 13 in a normal year | About 20 min from Tobu-Nerima or Shin-Takashimadaira | Free to watch |
Sources: the organizer, municipality and tourism association pages listed in each section (checked November 1, 2026). “Not yet announced” means the 2026 notice is not out yet, and the 2025 record is given.
Details of times and routes for the Boro-ichi and Hagoita-ichi are in the Japanese article on Tokyo’s year-end markets 2026 (Japanese). For all Tokyo events in December, see the Japanese article Tokyo events in December 2026 (Japanese).
2. Good to know when choosing a winter festival or market in Kanto
Many winter events run late into the night and many have no car park, so choosing by how you get there and back makes the decision easier.
- Late nights: the main night of the Chichibu Night Festival is best from after 19:00, when the floats leave Chichibu Shrine, to about 22:00, when they reach the Otabisho. If you are going back to Tokyo the same day, check the time of the last train first.
- No car park: Setagaya Boro-ichi has no car park, and traffic is restricted around Boro-ichi Street from 7:00 to 22:00. The temple also says there is traffic regulation at the Shorinzan Daruma Market.
- Rain or shine: Tokamachi and Juninichi-machi go ahead in rain. The kumade markets are on fixed dates, so they cannot be moved for the weather.
- Weekdays: December markets are set by date, so in 2026 Tokamachi is on a Thursday and the December Boro-ichi is on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Only some, such as the January Boro-ichi (January 16, 2027 is a Saturday), fall on a weekend.
3. Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu City, Saitama)
In 2026 the eve is on Wednesday, December 2 and the main festival on Thursday, December 3; the floats gather and fireworks go up on the night of the 3rd. The dates were checked on the Chichibu City page for the 2026 festival (Japanese).
According to the Chichibu Tourism Association guide (Japanese), on both the eve and the main day the floats and canopied floats are pulled around from the morning, and the eve’s fireworks finish at about 20:00. On the main day, the best part is from after 19:00, when the procession and floats leave Chichibu Shrine, to about 22:00, when they reach the Otabisho, with fireworks such as “star mines”. Paid seats to watch the floats are announced for sale on the Chichibu Tourism Association site. As of November 1, 2026, the city page said “please wait for updates” and had not yet published temporary car parks, the traffic regulation map or fireworks details. The shrine is a 3-minute walk from Chichibu Station on the Chichibu Railway and a 15-minute walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station (Chichibu Shrine access page, Japanese).
Photo source: Chichibu Night Festival (photo by Katorisi, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 4.0
| Name | Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Shrine) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-3 Bamba-cho, Chichibu-shi, Saitama |
| Hours / Closed | December 2 (eve) and 3 (main festival), 2026. Peak of the main festival is from after 19:00 to around 22:00 |
| Phone | 0494-22-0262 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
4. Tokamachi (Omiya Ward, Saitama City, Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine)
A kumade market held with the Oyu Festival of Hikawa Shrine; in 2025 about 300 stalls lined the grounds, the approach and Omiya Park on Wednesday, December 10. The 2026 notice is not out yet.
On the Saitama Tourism and Convention Association’s Tokamachi page (Japanese), in 2025 the ofuda charms and fuku-kumade were given out from 0:00 to 1:00 and from 7:30 to 22:00 on the 10th, and the stalls were open from 15:00 to 22:00 on the 9th and from 10:00 to 21:00 on the 10th. A fuku-kumade is ¥3,000 for large and ¥1,500 for small. It goes ahead in rain, and bicycles can be parked near the Shrine Agency office and near the north entrance of Omiya Park.
To get there, walk 10 minutes from Kita-Omiya Station on the Tobu Urban Park Line, 15 minutes from Omiya-Koen Station, or 20 minutes from the east exit of JR Omiya Station.
| Name | Tokamachi (Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-407 Takahana-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama |
| Hours / Closed | In 2025: December 10 (distribution of ofuda charms and fuku-kumade 0:00–1:00 and 7:30–22:00; stalls 15:00–22:00 on the 9th, 10:00–21:00 on the 10th) |
| Phone | 048-647-8339 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
5. Juninichi-machi (Urawa Ward, Saitama City, Tsuki Shrine)
An “Otoshi-no-ichi” (year-end market) running since the Meiji era; in 2025 about 600 stalls lined the grounds of Tsuki Shrine and the old Nakasendo road on Friday, December 12. The 2026 notice is not out yet.
On the Saitama Tourism and Convention Association’s Juninichi-machi page (Japanese), in 2025 the stalls were open from 10:00 to 21:30 in the grounds and from 12:00 to 20:30 on the road, and the small bamboo kumade called “kakkome” was given out at the shrine’s office from 10:00 to 22:00 for ¥2,000. A haunted house was planned for Tsuki Park (the fee in 2024 was ¥600 for adults, ¥500 for elementary and junior high school students and ¥300 for young children). It goes ahead in rain.
The shrine is a 10-minute walk from the west exit of JR Urawa Station. Temporary bicycle parking is set up at Tsuki Park, the Kishimachi Community Center and other places.
| Name | Juninichi-machi (Tsuki Shrine) |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-17-25 Kishicho, Urawa-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama |
| Hours / Closed | In 2025: December 12, 10:00–21:30 |
| Phone | 048-647-8339 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
6. Setagaya Boro-ichi and the Sensoji Hagoita-ichi (Tokyo)
The Boro-ichi is held on the 15th and 16th of December and January, and the Hagoita-ichi on December 17–19, so the two follow each other at the end of the year in Tokyo.
According to Setagaya Ward’s Boro-ichi page (Japanese), updated on October 29, 2026, it runs from 9:00 to 20:00 with stalls along Boro-ichi Street and the area around it. It is a 3-minute walk from Setagaya or Kamimachi Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line, and there is no car park.
The Sensoji Hagoita-ichi is held every year on December 17–19, as on the Sensoji annual events page (Japanese), with battledore stalls in the grounds. In 2025 it ran from 9:00 to 19:30 (to 19:00 on the last day) (official Tokyo tourism site, Hagoita-ichi page (Japanese)).
The times and access for both markets are in our Tokyo year-end markets 2026 guide (Japanese).
| Name | Setagaya Boro-ichi |
|---|---|
| Address | Boro-ichi Street, 1-chome Setagaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo |
| Hours / Closed | December 15–16 and January 15–16, 9:00–20:00 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
| Name | Sensoji Hagoita-ichi |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo |
| Hours / Closed | December 17–19 (in 2025: 9:00–19:30, to 19:00 on the last day) |
| Phone | 03-3842-0181 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
7. Shorinzan Nanakusa Taisai Daruma Market (Takasaki City, Gunma)
In 2027 it opens from about 9:00 on Wednesday, January 6, runs overnight and continues until about 17:00 on Thursday, January 7. The dates are in Shorinzan Daruma-ji’s 2027 stall application notice (Japanese), posted on September 22, 2026.
According to the temple, 2:00 a.m. on January 7 is the auspicious time of the descent of Reifuson, so people gather from the evening of the 6th. In the 2026 market, daruma stalls stood in front of the main hall and about 30 food trucks gathered behind it (2026 daruma market guide, Japanese). Traffic is restricted during the period.
By train, it is about 20 minutes on foot from Gunma-Yawata Station on the JR Shin’etsu Line (about 5 minutes by taxi), or about 20 minutes by taxi from the west exit of JR Takasaki Station (Shorinzan Daruma-ji visiting and access page, Japanese).
| Name | Shorinzan Nanakusa Taisai Daruma Market (Shorinzan Daruma-ji) |
|---|---|
| Address | 296 Hanataka-cho, Takasaki-shi, Gunma |
| Hours / Closed | January 6, 2027 from around 9:00 overnight, until around 17:00 on the 7th |
| Phone | 027-322-8800 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
8. Usokae Shinji at Kameido Tenjin Shrine (Koto Ward, Tokyo)
Every year on January 24 and 25, people swap a wooden bird called “uso” for a new one, so that the bad things of the previous year become a “lie” (uso). The dates were checked in the Koto Ward announcement (Japanese).
In 2026, handing out started at 8:30 and ended for the day as soon as the supply ran out. The wooden uso cost ¥500 to ¥7,000 (official Tokyo tourism site, Usokae page (Japanese)). The numbers are limited, so if you want a particular size, plan to arrive in the morning.
The shrine is about 10 minutes on foot from JR Kameido Station or Kinshicho Station, or about 15 minutes from Oshiage Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line.
| Name | Usokae Shinji (Kameido Tenjin Shrine) |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-6-1 Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo |
| Hours / Closed | Every year on January 24 and 25 (in 2026: distribution from 8:30, ends when supplies run out) |
| Phone | 03-3681-0010 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
9. Setsubun-e at Sensoji (Taito Ward, Tokyo)
Toshiotoko (men born in the zodiac year) throw beans inside the main hall and on a special stage on its east side, followed by the “Fukujunomai”, a dance of the Seven Lucky Gods. The program is on the Sensoji Setsubun-e page (Japanese).
In 2026 it was held on Tuesday, February 3, with the procession (oneri) at about 11:30 and 13:30 and the bean-throwing by entertainers connected with Asakusa (Asakusa Bunka Geinin Setsubun-e) from about 16:00 (official Tokyo tourism site, Setsubun-e page (Japanese)). Sensoji gives out Setsubun and Risshun amulets from after the New Year until Setsubun.
It is a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station.
| Name | Setsubun-e at Sensoji |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo |
| Hours / Closed | In 2026: February 3 (procession around 11:30 and 13:30, entertainer Setsubun-e around 16:00) |
| Phone | 03-3842-0181 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
10. Setsubun-e at Naritasan Shinshoji (Narita City, Chiba)
The “Special Tsuina Bean-Throwing Ceremony”, where sumo wrestlers and cast members of the NHK historical drama throw beans, is held 3 times a day; in 2026 at 11:00, 13:30 and 16:00.
According to the Naritasan Setsubun-e page on Chiba’s official tourism site (Japanese), in 2026 it was held on Tuesday, February 3, and entertainers and sumo wrestlers appeared only at these 3 times (the drama cast at 11:00 and 13:30). The “Kaiun Mamemaki”, where members of the public throw beans from the stage, was held 3 times, at 9:30, 12:30 and 15:00, with a participation fee of ¥10,000.
It is about 10 minutes on foot from Keisei Narita Station and JR Narita Station, and there are paid car parks. Naritasan’s annual events are listed on the Naritasan Shinshoji annual events page (Japanese).
| Name | Setsubun-e at Naritasan Shinshoji |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Narita, Narita-shi, Chiba |
| Hours / Closed | In 2026: February 3 (Special Tsuina Bean-Throwing Ceremony 11:00, 13:30, 16:00) |
| Phone | 0476-22-2111 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
11. Itabashi Taasobi (Itabashi Ward, Tokyo)
A ritual that acts out rice farming from plowing to harvest in a shrine’s grounds at night, praying for a good harvest that year, and designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. According to Itabashi Ward’s Itabashi Taasobi page (Japanese), Tokumaru Kitano Shrine holds it on February 11 and Akatsuka Suwa Shrine on February 13, in the evening. The start times are not on the ward’s page.
Photo source: Press release by Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, February 10, 2026 (Japanese)
Tokumaru Kitano Shrine is about 20 minutes on foot from Tobu-Nerima Station on the Tobu Tojo Line, and Akatsuka Suwa Shrine is about 20 minutes from Shin-Takashimadaira Station on the Toei Mita Line. In 2027, February 11 is a Thursday (a holiday) and the 13th a Saturday.
| Name | Itabashi Taasobi (Tokumaru Kitano Shrine) |
|---|---|
| Address | 6-34 Tokumaru, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo |
| Hours / Closed | Usually the evening of February 11 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
| Name | Itabashi Taasobi (Akatsuka Suwa Shrine) |
|---|---|
| Address | 11 Daimon, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo |
| Hours / Closed | Usually the evening of February 13 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
12. How to choose a winter festival or market in Kanto
- To see floats and fireworks into the night: the Chichibu Night Festival (main festival on December 3).
- To buy a kumade for the new year: Tokamachi (fuku-kumade ¥3,000 large, ¥1,500 small) or Juninichi-machi (kakkome ¥2,000).
- To browse old tools and New Year goods on a weekend: the January Boro-ichi (January 16, 2027 is a Saturday).
- To replace your daruma: the Shorinzan Daruma Market (January 6–7, 2027).
- To watch bean-throwing with children: the Setsubun-e at Sensoji or Naritasan (February 3 in 2026).
Official information checked: November 1, 2026 (Japan time). Fees and hours may change.
Sources
19 pages we checked
- navi.city.chichibu.lg.jp
- www.chichibuji.gr.jp
- www.chichibu-jinja.or.jp
- visitsaitamacity.jp
- visitsaitamacity.jp
- www.city.setagaya.lg.jp
- www.senso-ji.jp
- www.gotokyo.org
- www.daruma.or.jp
- www.daruma.or.jp
- www.daruma.or.jp
- www.city.koto.lg.jp
- www.gotokyo.org
- www.senso-ji.jp
- www.gotokyo.org
- maruchiba.jp
- www.naritasan.or.jp
- www.city.itabashi.tokyo.jp
- Japanese version of this page (日本語版)
Checked with official pages on November 1, 2026 (Japan time).
