Kiryu Yagibushi Festival 桐生八木節祭り

During the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of August, the small mountain city of Kiryu swells to accommodate large numbers of visitors, who come to witness and participate in the Kiryu Yagibushi Festival. Come and experience revelers dancing around towering lantern-lit turrets in a festival full of light and music.

Rail is the best way to reach Kiryu.

From Asakusa Station in Tokyo to Shin-Kiryu Station on the Tobu Line takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Nikko to Kiryu Station on the Watarase Keikoku Line takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Follow the crowds and stroll the streets lined with food stalls, snacking on local specialties. Take part in the festive atmosphere by wearing a yukata, hakama, or the short-sleeved, pajama-like cotton jinbei.

The main attractions are the traditional songs and dances. They have been passed down from generation to generation since 1519. A series of lively dancing circles gather around turrets set up around the city center.

The driving rhythms of drumming on barrels and the sounds of the flutes, whistles, and bells are intoxicating. Before long, you may find yourself joining in with everyone else, having fun and continuing the long tradition of the yagibushi.