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 April 2027
Festivals, workshops, exhibitions and other events in Kumagaya, Higashimatsuyama, Gyoda, Konosu, Hanyu, Kazo, Yoshimi, Namegawa in April, in date order. You can also browse them on the map and calendar.
Events in April 2027 (13 events)
- 2027Sun, Apr 4
Rikuoh Cup 41st Gyoda City Tekken Marathon
This marathon event is held on a loop course running through the Sakitama Kofun cluster, starting and finishing at the Ancient Lotus Park. Welcoming guest runners Kaori Yoshida and Kentaro Uno, participants can enjoy running while experiencing history and nature.
- 2027Sun, Apr 18
14th Konosu Noh and Kyogen Performance
The 14th edition of this Noh and Kyogen performance. Audience members can fully savor the essence of traditional Japanese performing arts, including the Noh play 'Kurama Tengu' performed by Kazuma Yamanaka of the Konparu school and the Kyogen play 'Jishaku' performed by Mansai Nomura of the Izumi school.
- April 18–April 19 (usually)
Shodenzan Spring Annual Festival
A regular festival held at Menuma Shodenzan. Highlights include a colorful children's procession, dedicatory sumo tournaments, powerful taiko drum performances, and the Saitou Daigoma fire-walking ritual. The grounds bustle with visitors enjoying the many food stalls and plant market.
- April 18–April 19 (usually)
Menuma Shodenzan Spring Grand Festival Memorial Service
A grand festival celebrating the arrival of spring. The grounds are filled with energy and enthusiasm through a variety of events, including the Daihannyakyo sutra reading, a colorful children's procession, dedicatory sumo, and martial arts tournaments.
- last Saturday of April (usually)
Yuzan Festival
An event associated with local dignitary Yuzan Negishi. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including exhibitions and explanations about Yuzan, taishogoto performances, an outdoor tea ceremony, and bamboo shoot harvesting.
- 2027Wed, Apr 28
Sogan-ji Temple Spring Grand Festival
A spring grand festival solemnly observed at Sogan-ji Temple as spring arrives. Solemn ceremonies are held on the springtime grounds, attracting many worshipers who come to pray and take in the festival atmosphere.
- 2027Sat, Feb 6 – Sun, Apr 4
Museum-School Partnership Exhibition: Transitions of Gyoda City
This exhibition introduces the transitions of Gyoda City's roads, railways, and townscape from the mid-Showa period to modern times. Suitable for regional studies by elementary and junior high school students, visitors can learn about local history and development in an easy-to-understand way.
- late March–early April (usually)
Kumagaya Cherry Blossom Festival
A spring festival where approximately 500 Yoshino cherry trees bloom along a 2-kilometer stretch, creating a magnificent cherry blossom tunnel. Visitors can enjoy a stroll while admiring the beautiful avenue of cherry blossoms.
- April (usually)
Kazo City Kisai Wisteria Festival
A traditional festival held when the grand wisteria tree over 450 years old comes into full bloom. Featuring daily events including koto performances, open-air tea ceremonies, and stage shows, the grounds are lively with food stalls and kitchen cars.
- Mid-April (usually)
Gyoda Spring Festival
A spring event held concurrently with the market 'Numa no Hotori de Aimasho'. The venue comes alive with martial arts demonstrations, concerts, various food stalls, and workshops.
- mid-April (usually)
Kofutto Matsuribayashi (Oshishi Togyo Festival)
A traditional performing art handed down since the Edo period. Held in conjunction with the Oshishi Togyo Festival, the lively sounds of festival music echo throughout the area alongside dances featuring lion masks, celestial foxes, and Okame.
- mid-April to early May (usually)
Peony Festival at Yakyu Inari Shrine
A wonderful Shinto ritual held amid blooming peonies, azaleas, and wisterias. During the roughly two-week period, various dedicatory events are staged, and numerous stalls line the shrine grounds creating a lively atmosphere.
- late April to early May (usually)
Daitempaku Park Wisteria Festival
A festival held amid blooming purple and white wisteria flowers. Visitors can enjoy a festive atmosphere with stage events including local neighborhood association festival music and taishogoto performances.
Events held in April 2026 (for reference, 41 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.
- 2026Wed, Apr 1 – Sat, Apr 4
Kumagaya Cherry Blossom Festival Hot Air Balloon Experience
A tethered hot air balloon flight experience held in conjunction with the Kumagaya Cherry Blossom Festival. Enjoy views overlooking the Kumagaya Cherry Blossom Bank from approximately 20 meters above ground. No advance reservation is required; reception is on a first-come, first-served basis at the venue on the day.
- 2026Fri, Apr 3
Kumagaya Arakawa Green Space Hot Air Balloon Experience
Experience a tethered hot air balloon flight at the riverside sports ground. It is a rare opportunity to gently rise to about 20 meters above ground and enjoy an exhilarating view. No advance reservation is required; reception is held on the day at the venue.
- 2026Sat, Apr 4
Gyoda Spring Festival 2026
A spring festival held at Mizushiro Park. Featuring lively stage performances such as Yosakoi and dance, along with food stalls, kitchen cars, and handmade workshops, offering activities to enjoy all day long.
- 2026Sat, Apr 4
Hanachozu Week Light of Hope Illumination
Floating flower basins (hanachozu) are magically illuminated at various city locations including Oshi Castle, Gyoda Hachiman Shrine, and Sakitama Shrine. An illumination event where visitors can enjoy walking through the night streets of Gyoda while admiring scenic views different from daytime.
- 2026Sat, Apr 4
Kumagaya Arakawa Green Space Hot Air Balloon Experience
Ride a tethered hot air balloon and experience ascending to about 20 meters above ground. No advance reservation is required, and reception is in order of arrival directly at the venue. Enjoy an aerial flight lasting about 5 minutes, including boarding and disembarking.
- 2026Sat, Apr 4 – Sun, Apr 5
The 25th Flower Oasis Fair Tulip Festival
Approximately 20,000 tulips planted by citizen volunteers reach peak bloom in the park, where visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including stage shows, potted plant workshops, and digging up blooming bulbs.
- 2026Sun, Apr 5
The 40th Gyoda Iron Sword Marathon
A marathon race run along a loop course through the city, visiting sites such as Ancient Lotus Park and Sakitama Kofun Park. A very popular annual event where participants run while experiencing Gyoda's rich history and nature firsthand.
- 2026Wed, Apr 8+2 more dates
April Storytime at Namegawa Town Library
A storytelling gathering held at Namegawa Town Library featuring picture book readings, kamishibai paper theater, and finger plays. With sessions suitable for infants and special sessions commemorating Children's Reading Day, anyone can casually join without prior reservation.
- 2026Thu, Apr 9+10 more dates
Fukiage Children's Center Kamishibai
A picture-story show (kamishibai) event for preschool children and their guardians featuring fun stories read by volunteers. No advance reservation is needed and admission is free, making it easy to stop by and enjoy a fun time together.
- 2026Sun, Apr 12
Flea Market / Play with Saitaman
A flea market held at Kiyasse Hanyu. Enjoyed by both children and adults, it features interactive games with local hero Saitaman and workshops held at the same time.
- 2026Sun, Apr 12
Kakyunosato Spring Garden Festival
An event where visitors can stroll through a beautiful garden newly refreshed for spring. In addition to tasting the specialty Kaori udon noodles, guests can enjoy salon concerts, direct sales of freshly picked vegetables, and more.
- 2026Sat, Apr 18
Kisai Kamaya "Rikishi Brewery Festival 2026"
A festival held at the brewery known for the refined sake "Rikishi." Along with a sake barrel opening ceremony, free barrel sake tastings, and tasting flights of limited sake, visitors can enjoy brewery tours, local gourmet foods, sake raffles, and more.
- 2026Sat, Apr 18
Saitama Musashi Heat Bears vs. Yamanashi Fire Winds
A heated matchup serving as Kumagaya's opening game. Packed with events including free admission for Kumagaya City residents and workers, first-come giveaways, outdoor cheerleading performances, a Yoshimi Town promotional booth, and food trucks.
- April 18–April 19 (usually)
Menuma Shodenzan Spring Annual Festival
- April 18–April 19 (usually)
Menuma Shodenzan Spring Grand Ennichi Festival Buddhist Memorial Service
A grand Ennichi festival celebrating spring. Featuring the rapid chanting of the Daihannyakyo sutra, a colorful procession of children, dedicatory sumo wrestling, and martial arts tournaments, the temple grounds come alive with vibrant excitement.
- 2026Sat, Apr 18 – Sun, Apr 19+2 more dates
Kazo City Kisai Wisteria Festival
An annual festival held in a park featuring a grand wisteria over 450 years old. Alongside the blooming wisteria trellises, visitors can enjoy daily rotating events such as stage performances, koto recitals, and open-air tea ceremonies.
- 2026Thu, Apr 23+10 more dates
Baby Storytime at Kita-Shinjuku Children's Center
A storytime event aimed at infants, toddlers, and their guardians. Enjoy a heartwarming bonding experience between parent and child through picture book readings and hand-play songs together with babies.
- Last Saturday of April (usually)
Yuzan Festival
- 2026Sat, Apr 25 – Sun, Apr 26+5 more dates
Musashino Mura Character Show & Puppet Show
Popular character shows and original puppet shows held at Musashino Mura. Featuring heroes and heroines beloved by children, this lively stage event offers full-day entertainment for the entire family.
- 2026Sun, Apr 26
Kiyasse Hanyu Park Festival
This event features an outdoor stage performance by music school students alongside food trucks serving fried mochi, crepes, taiyaki, and more. It is an event you can stop by while enjoying a stroll.
- 2026Wed, Apr 29
Petit to Wonder Market
A market event bringing together a diverse group of 50 vendors, featuring sales of plants, miscellaneous goods, and handmade crafts, as well as workshops, medaka fish scooping, and food trucks.
- 2026Wed, Apr 29
JA Kumagaya 30th Anniversary Event
An event held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of JA Kumagaya. On the day, JA Kyosai Ambassador Erina Arai will visit the venue to add excitement to the celebration.
- 2026Wed, Apr 29
Works Migiwa Spring Woodworking Shop
An event featuring warm, handmade wooden crafts for sale, hands-on woodworking experiences, live performances, and mini-games. Vegetable and flower seedlings are also available for purchase, making it an easy and fun outing for families.
- 2026Wed, Apr 29
Konan Wisteria Festival
An event held beneath magnificent wisteria flowers that are among the largest in the prefecture. Visitors can enjoy a variety of stage programs, including Japanese taiko drumming, shigin poetry recitation, sword dancing, taishogoto harp, and choir performances.
- 2026Thu, Jan 1 – Tue, Dec 29
Hands-on Animal Experiences at Saitama Children's Zoo
This regular event offers activities such as animal petting, pony riding, cow milking, and animal feeding. A rich lineup of programs for both children and adults to learn and enjoy is available, including guided tours, craft workshops, and picture-story shows (kamishibai).
- 2026Sun, Mar 1 – Tue, Jun 30
Historical Exploration Guided Tour on Electric Kick Scooters
A guided tour riding electric kick scooters to explore Oshi Castle, tabi storehouses, and hanachozu flower basins. Enjoying local gourmet treats and visiting museums, participants can experience the charm of this historic castle town.
- 2026Wed, Mar 4 – Mon, May 11
Kazo City Koinobori Exhibition
This exhibition resembles an aquarium, with glass walls serving as the tank where colorful carp streamers of various sizes appear to swim. Visitors can enjoy their graceful and powerful swimming figures set against the backdrop of the Tone River and mountain ranges.
- 2026Wed, Mar 4 – Mon, May 11
Kazo Miraikan: Welcome to the Koinobori Aquarium
Treating the glass walls of Kazo Miraikan as an aquarium tank, this event displays colorful hand-painted and printed carp streamers of various sizes. Visitors can enjoy the impressive sight of them swimming gracefully against the magnificent landscape of the Tone River.
- 2026Fri, Mar 6 – Mon, May 11
Kumagaya Nikujiru Udon Stamp Rally
A popular event where participants collect stamps at participating shops across Kumagaya City using a rally booklet featuring nikujiru (pork broth dipping) udon. Enjoy exploring and tasting the delicious local varieties of nikujiru udon.
- 2026Wed, Mar 25 – Tue, Apr 7
Kumagaya Cherry Blossom Festival
A spring festival held at Kumagaya Cherry Blossom Bank, where approximately 500 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom. Food stalls line the street, with magical evening illuminations featuring paper lanterns and bamboo lights, as well as hot air balloon ride experiences on designated days.
- Wed, Apr 1, 2026 – Wed, Mar 31, 2027
Real Mystery Solving Game: The Mystery Sleeping in Oshi Castle - Legendary Treasure
An interactive real-life mystery-solving game set in and around Oshi Castle. Participants become the protagonists, solving mysteries hidden inside and outside the castle grounds while enjoying sightseeing on an adventure seeking legendary treasure.
- 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
Koala Happy 40th Anniversary
An event commemorating the 40th anniversary of koalas arriving at the zoo. A diverse range of special events will be held, including distribution of limited-edition stickers, fun and educational exhibitions, and an Australia Fair featuring character appearances and live ethnic instrument performances.
- Wed, Apr 1, 2026 – Wed, Mar 31, 2027
Let's Make the World Rodent Map Together
An online project aiming to complete a world map by having participants send photos of handmade rodent crafts via Instagram DM. Anyone can casually participate, learning about rodent ecology by accurately depicting real-life species using felt, origami, or other crafting materials at home.
- 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.
- 2026Fri, Apr 10 – Thu, May 7
Yakyu Inari Shrine Peony Festival
This annual festival allows visitors to enjoy festive shrine events on the grounds while admiring vivid peonies blooming in red, pink, and white. Requests for various prayers are also accepted during the festival period.
- Mid-April (usually)
Gyoda Spring Festival
- Mid-April (usually)
Kogori Festival Music (Oshishi Togyosai / Oshissama)
This historic traditional performing art has been passed down since the Edo period. Held in conjunction with the Oshishi Togyosai, lively festival music echoes through the local area accompanied by dances featuring lions, Tenko foxes, and Okame masks.
- Mid-April–Early May (usually)
Yakyu Inari Shrine Peony Festival
A remarkable Shinto ritual held amidst blooming peonies, azaleas, and wisteria. During the approximately two-week period, various dedicatory events take place, and the shrine grounds bustle with numerous food stalls.
- 2026Sat, Apr 18 – Sun, May 24
Spring Collection Exhibition: "Folding Screen of the Battle of Sekigahara"
The original "Folding Screen of the Battle of Sekigahara," a designated Cultural Property of Gyoda City, goes on display for the first time in five years. Along with large panels, preserved and restored swords are also exhibited, offering a close look at Gyoda's treasured samurai culture.
- 2026Sat, Apr 18 – Sun, May 31
Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness Open Garden
An event opening carefully tended gardens and flowerbeds of private residences and local shops to the public. Visitors can freely stroll to view roses and flowering plants of spring and early summer, with a stamp rally also held alongside.