Sawara Grand Festival

The Sawara Grand Festival is a traditional festival that dates back to 300 years ago. It is held twice a year, in summer and in autumn, and is considered to be one of the three greatest float festivals in the Kanto region.
During the Sawara Grand Summer Festival, also known as the Gion Festival, 10 floats are pulled around Honjuku, the district east of the Ono River which runs through the center of Sawara’s Historical District. During the Sawara Grand Autumn Festival, 14 floats are pulled around Shinjuku, the district west of the Ono River. On top of each float is a giant doll, measuring up to four meters tall.

A float passes a willow tree along the Ono River.

The cracking sound made by wooden clappers signals a new action.

Floats pass each other on a narrow road, a feat that requires great skill.

The town block that has carried out its duty of organizing the festival for the past three years moves their float to the back of the line.

A shuttle boat transports people from the parking lot located along the Tone River to the festival scene

Both adults and children play a leading role in these festivals

Young men use large wooden poles to maneuver the float

Lanterns are prepared as the evening approaches

The float is spun in a unique manner

Many food stalls line Yasaka Shrine

Floats pass through Sawara’s Historical District

Sawara Grand Summer Festival (Gion Festival)
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday following July 10th
Sawara Grand Autumn Festival
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the weekend of the second Saturday of October

　10:00AM～10:00PM

　free

By train: Walk 15 minutes from JR Sawara Station. (Please refer to the train timetable.)
By car: Approx. 10 minutes from Sawara-Katori IC on the Higashi-Kanto Expressway.
By highway bus:

• Take the Kantetsu Green Bus from Tokyo Station, bound for Hokota/Aso. Get off at the Yasaka bus stop.
• Take the Keisei Bus (Chiba Kotsu) from Hamamatsu-chō or Tokyo Station, bound for Choshi via Sawara. Get off at Sawara Station North Exit and walk 20 minutes.

There is a shuttle boat and shuttle bus that transports people from the parking lot located along the Tone River to the festival scene:
Hours of Operation: 9:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Fare:

• Shuttle Boat
  • One-way
    • Adults: 600 yen
    • Children: 300 yen
  • Round trip
    • Adults: 1,000 yen
    • Children: 500 yen
• Shuttle Bus
  • One-way
    • Adults: 200 yen
    • Children: 100 yen

　Free (Tone River Riverbed Parking Lot)

　Katori City Commerce and Tourism Division
Phone: 0478-50-1212
Suigo Sawara Tourism Association
Phone: 0478-52-6675