Irumagawa Tanabata Festival

Often ranked among the three great Tanabata festivals of the Kanto region, the Sayama Irumagawa Tanabata Festival is a long-standing tradition representing western Saitama. Held on the first Saturday and Sunday of August (Aug 1-2 in 2026), the streets from Sayamashi Station West Plaza along the Tanabata-dori shopping street are filled with handmade bamboo decorations and streamers. On the first night, about 2,000 fireworks are launched from the banks of the Iruma River, complementing the illuminated decorations. With many food stalls and stage events, it draws hundreds of thousands over two days.