An event so nice it has to be held twice, the semi-annual Sawara Grand Festival takes place in both July and October, with the fall edition being perhaps the grandest affair on the Chiba festival calendar. If you’re in the Tokyo or Narita areas this upcoming October 10 – 12, you can come witness the festivities by taking a trip to JR Sawara Station. Visitors can come by train via the JR Narita Line from Chiba Station or by highway bus from Tokyo Station.
This festival has taken place for over 300 years here in the historic district of Sawara, and its roots date back to Sawara’s heyday as a thriving transport hub during the Edo period. The proceedings are most known for massive wooden floats, called ‘dashi,’ which make their way through the streets transporting sculptures of famous figures in Japanese history and folklore: samurai generals, gods and goddesses, animals, and more. Traditional music and dance performances add to the atmosphere here, helping earn this festival UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.
For more information, check out Chiba Prefectural Tourism & Local Products Association’s official website:
https://www.visitchiba.jp/things/sawara-grand-festival/
For regular updates about Sawara, check out:
https://www.instagram.com/little_edo_sawara/
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AloJapan.com