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2025年12月2日。
December 2, 2025.
今日は、日本三大山車祭りの一つ、ちちぶ夜祭の前夜祭についてご紹介します。
Today, we’ll be introducing you to the eve of the Chichibu Night Festival, one of Japan’s three major float festivals.
まず知っておいていただきたいのは、前夜祭の夜、空気が一変する瞬間があるということです。
The first thing you should know is that there is a moment on the night of the eve of the festival when the atmosphere changes completely.
巨大な山車が動き出す瞬間、人々の歓声や太鼓の音が街全体を鼓動させるかのように響き渡ります。
The moment the giant floats start moving, the cheers of the people and the sound of drums reverberate throughout the town, as if pulsating as if to pulse.
この日、普段は静かな埼玉県秩父市の街は、まるで別世界へと変貌します。
On this day, the normally quiet streets of Chichibu City in Saitama Prefecture are transformed into an entirely different world.
提灯の灯りが揺らめき、街全体が幻想的な舞台へと変貌します。
The lights of the lanterns flicker, and the entire town is transformed into a fantastical stage.
まるで映画のワンシーンに迷い込んだかのようです。
It’s as if you’ve wandered into a scene from a movie.
ただ一つ、注目すべき点があります。
But there’s one thing worth noting:
「前夜祭ならではの臨場感」を体感できるということです。
You’ll be able to experience the “realism that only the eve of the festival can offer.”
山車の迫力、伝統芸能、そして地元の屋台料理。
The power of the floats, traditional performing arts, and local street food.
特に、埼玉県名物の味噌芋は必食です。
Miso potato, a Saitama specialty, is a must-try.
さらに今年は、SNSでも話題沸騰中のライトアップスポットも登場します。
This year, there will also be a light-up spot that’s become a hot topic on social media.
素敵な写真を撮りたいなら、御花畑駅前は必見です！
If you want to take some amazing photos, then Onohata Station is a must-see!
12月3日の本祭りに行けなくても大丈夫です。
If you can’t make it to the main festival on December 3rd, that’s okay.
夜祭りだけでも、魂を揺さぶられる体験ができます。
Even if you can’t make it to the night festival, it’s still a soul-stirring experience.
この冬、きっとあなたの心を揺さぶるお祭りになるでしょう。
This winter, it’s sure to be a festival that will move your heart.
私の畑に行けば、土の中の冷たい空気に耐えながら、だんだん甘くなっていく大根を見ることができます。
If you go to my field, you can see the radishes gradually getting sweeter as they endure the cold air in the soil.
朝食、ありがとうございました。
Thank you for breakfast.
📅 Chichibu Night Festival: Yoimiya (Eve of the Festival) Guide and Highlights
The article you provided offers a captivating guide focused on the Yoimiya (Eve of the Festival) of the Chichibu Night Festival, taking place on December 2, 2025.
Based on this information, here is a summary of the Chichibu Night Festival’s overview, the specific highlights of the Yoimiya, and related local gourmet foods.
🏮 Overview of the Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri)
- Dates: December 2, 2025 (Yoimiya) and December 3 (Main Festival)
- Location: Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture (mainly the city center, centered around Chichibu Shrine)
- Key Features:
- It is one of Japan’s Three Great Float Festivals (Hikiyama Matsuri), along with the Gion Festival in Kyoto and the Takayama Festival in Hida.
- It is registered as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- A total of six floats are pulled through the streets: two magnificent Kasahoko (decorative pole floats) and four gorgeous Yatai (stage floats).
✨ Yoimiya Highlights (December 2)
These are the key points to experience the “immersive atmosphere unique to the eve of the festival” mentioned in the article.
- Power and Spectacle of the Float Parades
- During the Yoimiya, mainly the four Yatai (stage floats) are paraded through the city. The crowds are relatively lighter than on the Main Festival day, making it easier to view the floats up close and at a relaxed pace.
- The powerful “Giri Mawashi” (the technique of turning the massive floats at intersections) performed by the float pullers can also be seen on the eve.
- Traditional arts, such as Yatai Shibai (float plays) and Hiki Odori (float dances/performances), may be performed on the float stages, offering a glimpse into Japanese traditional culture.
- Enchanting Lantern Lights
- As night falls, countless lanterns decorating the floats are lit, enveloping the entire town in a magical atmosphere. As the article states, it truly feels like a scene straight out of a movie.
- Fireworks Display
- Fireworks are also launched during the Yoimiya (usually around 7:00 PM, about 500 rounds). The fireworks exploding in the clear winter night sky, in conjunction with the floats, create a truly spectacular view.
- Ohanabatake Station Illumination
- As noted in the article, the area around Ohanabatake Station has recently become a trendy illumination spot on social media. It’s a must-visit location for taking stunning photos.
🍽️ Must-Try Local Cuisine
Here are the local specialties related to the “local food stalls” and “Saitama’s famous Miso Potatoes” mentioned in the article.
- Miso Potato (Miso Imo):
- The Miso Imo (Miso Potato) mentioned as a “must-try” is commonly known as “Miso Potato”, a popular local dish in Chichibu. It consists of tempura-fried, fluffy potatoes topped with a sweet and savory miso glaze—a true soul food.
- Pork Miso Don (Buta Miso Don):
- A famous local delicacy in Chichibu. It’s a bowl of rice topped with pork marinated in a secret miso sauce and grilled over charcoal, available at food stalls and local restaurants.
- Chichibu Soba (Buckwheat Noodles):
- Chichibu is known for its high-quality water and buckwheat production. You can enjoy local soba noodles during the festival period.
📌 Tips for a Better Experience
- Transportation: Due to extensive traffic restrictions within Chichibu City on both the Eve and Main Festival days, and resulting heavy congestion, using public transportation (Chichibu Railway, Seibu Railway, etc.) is highly recommended.
- Cold Weather Gear: Chichibu in December gets very cold, especially at night. Please take thorough cold weather precautions (heavy coats, gloves, scarves, disposable body warmers, etc.) for your outing.
2. 🚂 Chichibu Railway & Seibu Railway Temporary Train Information (2025)
Because of the severe congestion during the festival, especially in the evening and at night, railway companies increase the number of temporary trains and adjust schedules.
🔹 Chichibu Railway
- Extra Trains: Ordinary trains will be increased on both December 2 (Yoimiya) and December 3 (Main Festival).
- Main Routes: More trains will be available towards Kumagaya (Uplink) and Mitsumineguchi (Downlink), improving convenience for returning home.
- Temporary Timetable: The detailed temporary timetable is usually announced on the official website from late November to early December each year.
- (Reference): On December 3 (Main Festival), special events like the operation of the SL train (“SL Chichibu Hikiyama Yomatsuri-go”) and tours to observe the power line disconnection near Ohanabatake Station are often planned.
🔹 Seibu Railway (Seibu Chichibu Line)
- Temporary Limited Expresses: Temporary limited express trains will be operated on December 2 (Yoimiya), and the starting station for some express trains will be changed to Seibu Chichibu Station, especially improving convenience for those heading towards Ikebukuro.
- Increased Services/Schedule Changes: The last train time is expected to be extended, and ordinary trains towards Hanno and Ikebukuro will likely be increased.
⚠️ Important Notes on Use:
- Extreme Crowding: Severe crowding is expected at both Seibu Chichibu Station and Chichibu Station during the festival’s closing hours (especially after 8:00 PM). Please purchase your tickets in advance and allow ample time for movement.
- Check for Latest Updates: Train schedules are subject to change, so please check the official websites of Chichibu Railway and Seibu Railway for the latest information before you depart.
