Menus and labels are in English. Event information is machine-translated from Japanese sources, and place details (names, descriptions, opening hours) are shown in Japanese.
Events in Kumagaya in January 2027
Festivals, workshops, exhibitions and other events in Kumagaya in January, in date order. You can also browse them on the map and calendar.
Events in January 2027 (13 events)
- January 1 (usually)
Menuma Shodenzan Hatsumode & First Daruma Sale
A Hatsumode event to celebrate the beginning of the new year. The first sale of lucky daruma dolls takes place within the grounds, bustling with worshippers praying for good fortune and luck for the year. It is recommended for visiting at the start of the new year.
- 2027Mon, Jan 11
New Year Special Rakugo Show: Koasa Shunputei and Ichiba Ryutei with Rocket Dan
A New Year rakugo performance featuring rich comic storytelling by Koasa Shunputei and Ichiba Ryutei, alongside upbeat manzai comedy by Rocket Dan. Enjoy an array of sophisticated performing arts and laughter to celebrate the new year.
- 2027Sun, Jan 17
The 24th Kumakoren Karuta Tournament
A New Year karuta card game tournament held for elementary school students. Participants compete in individual and team matches using the Kumagaya Local Karuta and the Sai-no-Kuni 21st Century Local Karuta.
- January 21 (usually)
Menuma Shodenzan Hatsu Daishi Fair
This is the first fair of the new year dedicated to Kobo Daishi. Visitors come to the temple grounds to offer prayers to Kobo Daishi and wish for peace, good health, and safety in the new year on this traditional day.
- 2027Sat, Jan 23
Kumagaya Menuma Ekiden
An ekiden relay race starting and finishing at the Kumagaya City Menuma Central Community Center, where teams of five run through the Menuma area. Characterized by relatively short leg distances that make it easy to participate, spectators can enjoy cheering on the runners as they pass the sash along to their teammates.
- 2026Sat, Oct 24+2 more dates
Social Education Lecture for the Deaf
A lecture featuring guests such as athletes active in Deaf Rugby and Deaf Basketball. Attendees can learn about various ways of living and personal experiences through talks conducted in Japanese Sign Language.
- 2027Sat, Jan 30
Hinemos: Fantastic Toy Orchestra
A performance by Hinemos, a 10-piece musical group that plays toys, musical saws, and various other noise-making objects. Families can enjoy thrilling music that feels like stepping into a picture book. A handmade musical instrument workshop will also be held on the same day.
- Wed, Apr 1, 2026 – Wed, Mar 31, 2027
Play Ball with Parents and Kids at Kumagaya Sports and Culture Park
A ball-playing workshop for preschool children and their guardians. Parents and children can easily experience fun physical exercises using balls while moving their bodies together.
- Wed, Apr 1, 2026 – Wed, Mar 31, 2027
Kumagaya Sports Cultural Park FY2026 Sports and Culture Courses
A diverse series of 10 courses will be held throughout the year. The lineup offers enjoyable learning opportunities, including a rugby rules class on a natural grass pitch, a makeup workshop taught by a professional, and a mini concert for parents and children featuring handmade instruments.
- Thu, Dec 24, 2026 – Mon, Jan 11, 2027
Great Retro Exhibition: Reliving the Showa and Heisei Eras
A retro exhibition looking back on the Showa and Heisei eras is held at Yagihashi Department Store. This event allows visitors to encounter many nostalgic memories, making it a noteworthy event enjoyable across generations.
- Early January (usually)
Takagi Shrine Dezomeshiki
- Early January (usually)
Saitama Yakuyoke Kaiun Daishi Ryusen-ji Temple Daruma Market
An annual New Year event bustling with Hatsumode visitors and people seeking lucky daruma dolls. In addition to the daruma market held within the temple grounds, visitors can also enjoy the temple marche.
- January–February (usually)
Kumagaya Daruma Market
A traditional event said to have started in the Edo period to pray for the prosperity of Kumagaya-shuku. Many daruma stalls line up along the Hoshikawa River and at various temples and shrines, bustling with visitors looking to purchase lucky charms for the new year.
Events held in January 2026 (for reference, 10 events)
Many events are held around the same time every year, so use these to plan ahead. Check the official websites for this year's dates.
- January 1 (usually)
Menuma Shodenzan Hatsumode & First Daruma Sale
A New Year's visit (Hatsumode) event celebrating the start of the year. The first sale of lucky daruma dolls takes place on the temple grounds, bustling with many worshippers praying for good fortune and luck for the year. It is recommended for prayers at the beginning of the new year.
- 2026Tue, Jan 6
Kumagaya City Annual New Year Dezomeshiki
An annual event held to pray for fire prevention, good health, and safety in the new year. Spectators can watch craftsmen carrying on tradition perform impressive acrobatic stunts atop high ladders and observe their brave procession through various parts of the city.
- 2026Fri, Jan 16
Shinobu Miyahara Music School Piano Recital
A piano recital by Shinobu Miyahara Music School will be held at Taiyo no Hall. Come and listen to the performances of students presenting the results of their daily practice.
- 2026Sun, Jan 18
Kumagaya Hatsuichi (Daruma Market)
This is a traditional first market of the year where numerous daruma doll stalls line the Hoshikawa River. In addition to daruma sales, visitors can enjoy various events such as mochi pounding, festival stalls, and decorative wooden paddle (hagoita) painting workshops, creating a lively atmosphere that wards off the cold.
- January 21 (usually)
Menuma Shodenzan Hatsu Daishi Fair
This is the first memorial fair of the New Year dedicated to Kobo Daishi. Worshippers visit the temple grounds to offer prayers to Kobo Daishi and pray for peace and good health in the new year during this traditional day.
- 2026Thu, Jan 22
Northern District High School Music Festival
The Northern District High School Music Festival will be held at Taiyo no Hall. It is a music festival performed by high school students, hosted by the Saitama Prefecture High School Cultural Federation Northern District.
- 2026Tue, Jan 27
Northern District High School Music Festival
The Northern District High School Music Festival will be held at Taiyo no Hall. Enjoy a musical stage where high school students from northern Saitama Prefecture showcase the results of their daily practice.
- 2026Sat, Jan 31
SAITAMA D:FEST
SAITAMA D:FEST will be held at Taiyo no Hall. Please contact the organizer directly for details and program content before visiting the venue.
- early January (usually)
Saitama Yakuyoke Kaiun Daishi Ryusenji Daruma Market
- January–February (usually)
Kumagaya Hoshikawa-dori Daruma Market