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 May 2027
Festivals, workshops, exhibitions and other events in Kumagaya, Higashimatsuyama, Gyoda, Konosu, Hanyu, Kazo, Yoshimi, Namegawa in May, in date order. You can also browse them on the map and calendar.
Events in May 2027 (8 events)
- May 4 (usually)
Sakitama Fire Festival
A fire celebration themed around ancient mythology. Visitors can experience ancient romance through nighttime spectacles that illuminate the dark sky, including a palanquin procession of deities guided by torches, the ignition of a birthing hut, and the descent of sacred fire torches down from the top of an ancient burial mound.
- 2027Wed, May 5
Tamashiki Shrine Spring Grand Festival
A customary spring grand festival held at Tamashiki Shrine during the wisteria season. Dedicated sacred kagura performances take place amidst the fresh greenery of the grounds, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of traditional culture along with beautiful wisteria blossoms.
- May 8 (usually)
Yoshimi Kannon Flower Festival
A traditional event at Yoshimi Kannon celebrating the birth of the Buddha. While taking in the seasonal transition on the grounds, visitors can pray and pay their respects in gratitude to the Buddha and for daily peace and well-being.
- 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.
- early May (usually)
Kazo Citizens' Peace Festival (Jumbo Koinobori Flight)
An event held with citizens' wishes for peace. Along with various stage shows, visitors can witness the impressive flight of one of the world's largest jumbo carp streamers, stretching 100 meters in length as it soars through the open sky.
- May (usually)
Konosu Flower Festival
- late May (usually)
Danjuro Inari Festival at Yakyu Inari Shrine
A festival held at an Inari shrine associated with Ichikawa Danjuro. Dedicated performances such as gorgeous traditional dances and acting are presented on a special stage set up within the shrine grounds.
Events held in May 2026 (for reference, 65 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.
- 2026Fri, May 1+9 more dates
Tamamiya Children's Center Kamishibai
An event where you can enjoy entertaining picture-story shows presented by Konosu Kamishibai Egao. Aimed at infants, toddlers, and their guardians, it has no capacity limit and requires no prior registration, making it easy for families to drop in and enjoy the world of stories.
- 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, May 3 – Mon, May 4
Kazo Miraikan Spring Fureai Thanksgiving Festival
A thanksgiving festival featuring sales at the direct market, food stalls, and food trucks. A variety of family-friendly events are offered, including special planetarium screenings, an erhu concert, and craft workshops.
- 2026Sun, May 3 – Wed, May 6
Silpia Golden Family Festa
A Golden Week event for the whole family. In addition to a gourmet festival with gathering food trucks, there is a full lineup of daily changing attractions, including pickleball lessons and tournaments, inflatable play equipment, and festival carnival games.
- 2026Sun, May 3 – Wed, May 6
Silpia Higashimatsuyama Kitchen Car Gourmet Festa
A variety of food trucks gather at the housing exhibition site during Golden Week. This family-oriented event offers a daily rotating selection of gourmet dishes, including pizza, hot dogs, rice bowls, grilled fish bento boxes, and sweets.
- 2026Mon, May 4
The 41st Sakitama Fire Festival
Inspired by Kojiki mythology, this event features ancient fire-starting and a palanquin procession guided by the flames of torches. It is a mystical festival that lets you experience ancient romance, including the blazing fire of the birthing hut and the Goshinka-kudari descent down the Inariyama Kofun with raised torches.
- May 4 (usually)
Sakitama Fire Festival
- 2026Tue, May 5
Craft Beer Fest
The Craft Beer Fest is confirmed to take place for the first time in four years. It is an event where you can toast and enjoy a variety of beers. Detailed information will be announced on social media and other channels as it becomes available.
- 2026Tue, May 5
Roadside Station Doyo no Furusato Otone Enka and Kayokyoku Concert
An outdoor music event held on Children's Day at a special outdoor stage, featuring popular enka and kayokyoku songs.
- 2026Tue, May 5
Tamashiki Shrine Kagura Full Repertoire Dedication
All 18 acts of the Tamashiki Shrine Kagura, a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, will be dedicated in a single day to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the preservation society's founding. With many short acts, visitors can easily drop in and enjoy this traditional sacred performing art even for a short time.
- 2026Tue, May 5
Joko Children's Center Children's Day Festival
- 2026Tue, May 5
Konosu Children's Center Children's Day Festival
- 2026Tue, May 5
Children's Day: Let's Play at Kita-shinjuku
- 2026Tue, May 5
Fukiage Children's Center Children's Day Gathering
- 2026Tue, May 5
Mida Children's Center Children's Day in Mida
- 2026Tue, May 5
Tamamiya Children's Center Children's Day in Tamamiya
- 2026Wed, May 6
The 3rd Hanyu Burger Festival
A popular event gathering skilled gourmet burger shops from both inside and outside Hanyu City. Visitors can sample and compare each shop's special burgers to find and enjoy their favorite.
- 2026Wed, May 6
Acoustic Band "Hinoki Chips" Live Performance
Live performances of Western and Japanese music by the acoustic band "Hinoki Chips" will ring out at the roadside station during Golden Week.
- 2026Fri, May 8
Saitama Musashi Heat Bears vs. Fukushima Red Hopes
An official professional baseball independent league match held at Ofuro Cafe Hareniwa Stadium Kumagaya. In addition to cheer performances and food truck stalls, wet wipes will be distributed to visitors.
- May 8 (usually)
Yoshimi Kannon Flower Festival
A traditional event at Yoshimi Kannon celebrating the birth of the Buddha. Visitors can enjoy paying their respects while feeling the changing of the seasons within the temple grounds, offering gratitude to the Buddha and praying for daily peace.
- 2026Sat, May 9
Acoustic Band "Kawaraband" Live Performance
A live performance by the acoustic band "Kawaraband." Enjoy a wide variety of music from Western to Japanese songs suitable for all generations with pleasant acoustic sounds.
- 2026Sat, May 9
"Kawaraband" Acoustic Band Live Performance
The acoustic band "Kawaraband" will appear to deliver live performances of a wide range of songs, from Western to Japanese music.
- 2026Sat, May 9
Children's Day Week: Let's Play at Kasahara
- 2026Sat, May 9
Make Button Badges with University Students
A hands-on craft workshop held as part of the Children's Festival. Participants can enjoy making original button badges together with student volunteers from Rissho University Kumagaya Library. Limited to one badge per person.
- 2026Sat, May 9 – Sun, May 10
Nosupa x Flower Festival
A local event that can be enjoyed with a picnic atmosphere. More than 20 booths, including flower growers and eateries, will be present, alongside diverse activities such as bubble performances and a treasure hunt.
- 2026Sat, May 9 – Sun, May 10
The 16th Konosu Flower Festival
A major flower event held at various locations across Konosu City. Visitors can enjoy vast poppy fields coloring the Arakawa riverbed, rose viewing, stage programs, markets, open gardens, and many other diverse events.
- 2026Sat, May 9 – Mon, May 11
KUMAGAYA Nikujiru Udon Stamp Rally
A project where participants collect stamps by visiting participating Nikujiru udon shops and other locations. Collecting stamps offers a chance to win wonderful prizes while enjoying a tour of Kumagaya's udon scene.
- 2026Sun, May 10
Megumi Omiya Mother's Day Creative Dance Show
A Mother's Day dance performance by creative dancer Megumi Omiya, who serves as a Kazo City Tourism Ambassador. The show features enka singer Mizuki Tsuno as a guest performer.
- 2026Sun, May 10
Open Garden Bus Tour
Held in conjunction with the Konosu Flower Festival, this bus tour visits private gardens of Open Garden members and festival venues. Includes lunch, with three different course options to choose from.
- 2026Sun, May 10
Children's Wire Craft Workshop at Tamamiya Lifelong Learning Center
- 2026Wed, May 13
Fukiage Local History Lecture (First Semester Course)
- 2026Wed, May 13+1 more date
May Storytime at Namegawa Town Library
A storytelling session featuring picture books, kamishibai paper plays, and hand games. Sessions are divided by age group (infants/toddlers and young children and older). No advance reservation required.
- 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.
- 2026Sat, May 16
Family Fishing Tournament
- 2026Sun, May 17
2026 Kurosu no Mori Dog and Cat Festa
A pet-oriented event held at Kiyasse Hanyu where visitors can join along with their dogs and cats. It features a market, adoption events, and pet training classes.
- 2026Sun, May 17
Rice Field Go! 4th World Championships
A unique footrace event held in the muddy rice fields at Seinosha. Qualifying and final races are conducted as runners compete while covered in mud.
- 2026Sun, May 17
Tamashiki Shrine 3rd Dedication Archery Match
A traditional Japanese archery (kyudo) dedication event at Tamashiki Shrine. Features include a free kyudo trial with no reservations required, creative dance performances, photo opportunities with samurai armor performers, and food and merchandise stalls.
- 2026Sun, May 17
Komyoji Temple Manmaru Marche
A market held on the temple grounds featuring local vegetables, handmade crafts, and diverse food stalls. The event also offers parent-child workshops, yoga, musical instrument experiences, and a fire engine water discharge demonstration.
- 2026Sun, May 17
Nature Guide Special: Insect Observation Tour
An event to observe insects living in the zoo grounds. Led by an expert from the Saitama Museum of Natural History, participants can learn about local insects. Open to all with no advance reservation required.
- 2026Sat, May 23
Zucchini Harvesting Experience at Kiyasse Hanyu
A zucchini harvesting experience begins at Kiyasse Hanyu. Advance reservations are required; please contact the management office for details.
- 2026Sat, May 23 – Sun, May 24
Kazo Flower Festival 2026
An event featuring various flower-themed activities. Visitors of all ages can enjoy arrangement demonstrations, hands-on workshops, a direct-sale market, and popular food trucks.
- 2026Sun, May 24
Kiyasse Hanyu May Park Festival
A park festival featuring live music performances on an outdoor stage, gourmet food such as fried mochi and motsuni (offal stew), and sales of fresh vegetables. Enjoy a lively time at Kiyasse Hanyu.
- 2026Sun, May 24
27th Lead Kazo Climbing Cup 2026
A competition held in Kazo, the town of climbing. Under the theme "Give It Your All," participating athletes will give competitive performances demonstrating the results of their daily training.
- 2026Sun, May 24+1 more date
Japan Heritage Concert at Saitama Kofun Cluster
Set in the museum adjacent to the Japan Heritage Saitama Kofun Cluster, visitors can enjoy the beautiful sounds of a string quartet performed by members of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. After checking in, guests are also free to view the precious exhibits inside the museum.
- 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.
- 2026Sat, May 30
Nakasendo Post Town Stamp Rally Completion Commemorative Gift
An event celebrating the area expansion of the Nakasendo Post Town Stamp Rally. The first 20 visitors who collect and bring stamps from all 18 post towns from Nihonbashi-shuku to Sakamoto-shuku will receive a specially designed towel as a gift.
- 2026Sun, May 31+2 more dates
Honey Harvesting Experience at Kiyasse Hanyu
An event where participants can learn about honeybee ecology, observe beehives, and try harvesting honey. Advance reservation by phone is required to participate.
- 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.
- 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–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.
- early May (usually)
Kazo Citizens Peace Festival (Jumbo Koinobori Swimming)
An event held with prayers for citizen peace. Visitors can enjoy the impressive sight of a 100-meter-long jumbo koinobori (carp streamer), among the largest in the world, swimming across the sky, along with a variety of stage shows.
- 2026Sat, May 9 – Sun, May 24
Kakyunosato Rose Festival
An event where visitors can spend a relaxing, peaceful time enveloped in the fragrant scent of roses. Enjoy a leisurely and soothing moment while admiring the beautiful blossoms.
- 2026Sat, May 16 – Wed, May 27
Hanyu Suigo Park 2026 World Otter Day
An event to learn about Asian small-clawed otters and their status in the wild. Highlights include displays of photos and tools, a quiz where participants can receive cards, and special guided talks by zookeepers.
- late May (usually)
Danjiro Inari Festival at Yakyu Inari Shrine
A festival held at the sub-shrine associated with kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjiro. Dedicated performances, including traditional dance and theatrical arts, take place on a special stage erected in the shrine grounds.