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Tokyo’s Nearby Time Machine Lights Up Saturday
Kawagoe’s festival brings ornate wooden floats and animated musical encounters to the historic streets of this easy Tokyo side trip.
Kawagoe Festival
Where: Central Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
When: Saturday–Sunday, October 17–18, 2026
Access: Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro to Kawagoe Station, approximately 30 minutes
Plan: Official festival guide
After dark, lantern-lit floats turn toward one another for hikkawase, friendly exchanges between their musicians. Arrive early to explore the old merchant streets before the busiest evening crowds. Kawagoe is also known for sweet-potato snacks, which feels like a sensible provision for an evening of following the music.
