Sakura Autumn Festival

About this event

The "Sakura Autumn Festival" held in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, is a historic festival that has continued for over 300 years since the Edo period. Dedicated to giving thanks for a bountiful harvest, this festival is held jointly every October by four shrines, including Makata Shrine, filling the entire town with enthusiasm. While feeling the atmosphere of Sakura, a former castle town lined with samurai residences, more than 20 floats, portable shrines (mikoshi), and "omikisho" dance stalls parade through the town streets. In addition to the lively daytime festivities, the fantastical sight of floats being pulled through the streets under illuminated lanterns at dusk is a must-see. The valiant procession of the "Makata Shrine Mikoshi," one of the largest in Chiba Prefecture, is another highlight. The chants of "Essa no korasa no essassa" echoing to the sound of Sakura Bayashi festival music draw visitors into the festival's excitement. The float dolls, purchased during the Meiji period and designated as cultural properties of Sakura City, are precious artifacts that have carried on Edo period culture such as Noh for over 100 years. They are exhibited at the Ohayashi-kan and in neighborhood guardhouses, allowing visitors to thoroughly enjoy the Edo atmosphere. In 2026, a special plan will also be implemented where participants can experience pulling a festival float as a hometown tax (furusato nozei) return gift.

Venue

Makata Shrine

933-1 Kaburagimachi, Sakura, Chiba 285-0025