05/10/2026
Many parts of Chiba are still recovering from the damage caused by Typhoon No. 25. However, our beloved Sawara Grand Fall Festival is still expected to take place on October 9, 10 ＆ 11. We hope this occasion raises the spirits of our communities and gives people from outside the prefecture a chance to support our recovery efforts.
About the festival:
An event so nice it has to be held twice, the semi-annual Sawara Grand Festival takes place in both July and October, with the fall edition being perhaps the grandest affair on the Chiba festival calendar. If you’re in the Tokyo or Narita areas this upcoming October 9 – 11, you can come witness the festivities by taking a trip to JR Sawara Station *** Please see below for details.
This festival has taken place for over 300 years here in the historic district of Sawara, and its roots date back to Sawara’s heyday as a thriving transport hub during the Edo period. The proceedings are most known for massive wooden floats, called ‘dashi,’ which make their way through the streets transporting sculptures of famous figures in Japanese history and folklore: samurai generals, gods and goddesses, animals, and more. Traditional music and dance performances add to the atmosphere here, helping earn this festival UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.
*** The JR Narita Line is currently operating normally to JR Sawara Station, but JR's broader service information notes some reduced/cancelled services in the surrounding area due to the damage caused by Typhoon No. 25.
