The Reiwa 8 (2026) Kawagoe Festival (川越まつり) will be held on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026. Ornate festival floats will parade right in front of Tsubaki no Kura (椿の蔵), a Japanese goods shop in the kura-zukuri (traditional storehouse-style) townscape of Kawagoe, Saitama. Last year, 660,000 visitors* came over the two days, making it the most bustling festival of the year.
Between watching the floats and strolling the streets, visitors can stop by the Foot Bath Cafe TSUBAKIYA (足湯喫茶TSUBAKIYA) in the back garden of Tsubaki no Kura. The popular Nama-Warabimochi Latte (生わらび餅ラテ) now comes in an autumn-only flavor, "Yaki-imo Milk" (焼き芋みるく). On festival days, the cafe is open until 9:00 PM.
*Tourist count for 2025 (Reiwa 7), based on data from the Kawagoe City Tourism Division.
What Is the Kawagoe Festival, When Kawagoe, Saitama Is at Its Liveliest?
With more than 370 years of history, the festival has been protected and developed across the ages as a rare urban festival that conveys the style and refined taste of Edo's "Tenka Matsuri" (天下祭) to this day.
As the float event of the Kawagoe Hikawa Festival (川越氷川祭), it is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and is also inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Ichibangai in the Kura-zukuri Townscape Becomes a Pedestrian Zone
Ichibangai (一番街) becomes a pedestrian zone, where ornate floats parade and hikkawase (曳っかわせ), the biggest highlight of the evening, takes place. Floats passing each other compete with their festival music (hayashi), a scene not to be missed.
The float from Saiwaicho (幸町), the neighborhood where Tsubaki no Kura stands, will also parade right in front of the shop.
Tsubaki no Kura hopes to pass on Japan's traditions, culture, and seasonal customs to many people through the shop and the town of Kawagoe, and will help liven up the Kawagoe Festival together with the people of the town.
A Short Break in a Japanese Space with a Foot Bath
At the Foot Bath Cafe TSUBAKIYA in the back garden of Tsubaki no Kura, visitors can relax in a foot bath while enjoying sweets and drinks unique to Kawagoe.
Tsubaki no Kura on Ichibangai
The Foot Bath Cafe TSUBAKIYA, quietly tucked away in the back garden of Tsubaki no Kura
◆ Autumn-Only Menu: "Yaki-imo Milk Nama-Warabimochi Latte" (焼き芋みるく生わらび餅ラテ)
A fresh warabimochi latte that combines the fragrant sweetness of roasted sweet potato with mellow milk. It has a thick, smooth texture and a gentle roasted sweet potato flavor, making it a fitting cup for autumn.
Sales period: September 15, 2026 to around early December
◆ Popular Standard Menu: "Aged Roasted Sweet Potato Brulee Soft Serve" (熟成焼き芋ブリュレソフト)
Fluffy, sweet roasted sweet potato is topped with a soft aroma of cinnamon. Fragrantly seared brulee and melting soft serve ice cream are layered on top, blending the flavors of autumn into a special treat.
◆ Popular Standard Menu: "Yaki-dango" (焼き団子) with Autumn-Only "Satsuma-imo An" (さつま芋あん)
Visitors grill chewy dango themselves until fragrant, then combine them as they like with rich matcha paste, gently sweet sweet potato (satsuma-imo) paste, and fragrant kinako (roasted soybean flour). With its three flavors, it is a simple, somewhat nostalgic sweet.
◆ Popular Standard Menu: "3-Variety Tasting Warabimochi" (3種食べ比べわらび餅) with Autumn-Only "Purple Sweet Potato Flavor" (紫芋味) and "Roasted Sweet Potato Syrup" (焼き芋の蜜)
A colorful warabimochi plate with three flavors: Kawagoe matcha (河越抹茶), Kawagoe hojicha (河越ほうじ茶), and purple sweet potato (autumn only). It has a smooth, silky texture, and the roasted sweet potato syrup served alongside lets diners enjoy a change in flavor.
A Tenugui Towel Is Included — Stop By Empty-Handed
An original tenugui (hand towel) in a design of your choice from four patterns is included, so there is no need to bring your own towel. A rare water omikuji (水みくじ) fortune slip, on which the writing appears when it is dipped in water, is also included. Reading the fortune slowly while relaxing in the foot bath is another fun way to spend the time.
The foot bath fee is included in all set menus. Choose your favorite from the Sweets Set, the Tea and Coffee Set, or the Beer Set.
View the Foot Bath Cafe TSUBAKIYA menu
Note: Foot bath use is first-come, first-served (advance reservations are not available). After arriving, guests are guided through a waiting-list system.
Takeout Menu: "Nama-Warabimochi Latte"
Without using the foot bath, the Nama-Warabimochi Latte can also be ordered as a handheld treat.
The photo shows the three standard flavors. The autumn-only "Yaki-imo Milk" is also available for takeout.
Foot bath reception and takeout order window
Japanese Goods, Kimono Rental, and a Daruma Painting Experience
Tsubaki no Kura offers a variety of ways to enjoy the shop. They include Wamonoya Kaya (倭物やカヤ), a shop stocked with Japanese goods; Harekoromo (晴衣), which rents modern kimono and casual Japanese and Western clothing for strolling around Kawagoe; and Deco Daruma Workshop (Decoだるま工房), where visitors can paint a daruma of their own. It is also a good place to stop in between Kawagoe Festival activities.
Visit Kawagoe empty-handed and spend a whole day strolling the town in Japanese attire
Make a one-of-a-kind daruma
Store Information
Name: Tsubaki no Kura (椿の蔵)
Address: 3-2 Saiwaicho, Kawagoe City, Saitama 350-0063
Hours:
- Entire building: weekdays 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, weekends and holidays 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (October 17 and 18, during the Kawagoe Festival: 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM)
- Foot Bath Cafe TSUBAKIYA: weekdays 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM (last order 5:00 PM), weekends and holidays 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (last order 6:00 PM) (October 17 and 18, during the Kawagoe Festival: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, last order 8:30 PM)
Access:
- From Seibu Shinjuku Line "Hon-Kawagoe Station": Tobu Bus for 5 minutes to "Ichibangai" stop, or 16 minutes on foot.
- From Tobu Tojo Line / JR "Kawagoe Station": Tobu Bus for 7 minutes to "Ichibangai" stop, with the shop right there upon getting off.
Note: On Kawagoe Festival days, Kura no Machi Street (蔵の街通り) is closed to vehicles during designated hours.
