Hi, I’m Take — born and raised in Fujinomiya.
On this blog I share practical, local tips for visitors so you can enjoy the area like a friend of a local.
Dates: Every year on November 3–5
Where: Downtown Fujinomiya & Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha (the main shrine of Mt. Fuji)
Under the gaze of Mt. Fuji, Fujinomiya turns into a living stage of drums, flutes, and lanterns. Twenty neighborhood teams parade their ornate festival floats (dashi) through the streets, playing the lively Fujinomiya-bayashi—a traditional ensemble of taiko drums, flute, and bell. Daytime is energetic; after sunset, the floats glow with lanterns and the city feels magical.
If you can choose just one day, come on November 4—that’s the main festival day when everything peaks.
Highlights
1) Floats + Fujinomiya-bayashi
You’ll hear the rhythm before you see it—drums rumble in your chest, flutes cut through the evening air, and the bell keeps a bright pulse. Floats roll down the main streets, with musicians onboard and teams calling out in time with the beat.
2) “Seriai” (Head-to-Head Drum Battle)
Two floats face each other and perform in a thrilling musical showdown sometimes nicknamed “kenka-bayashi” (literally, “fight drumming”). There’s no pushing or ramming—just sound, spirit, and pride. When they get almost nose-to-nose and the rhythm hits full power, the crowd roars.
3) Mass Performance & Community Dance (Nov 4)
In front of Sengen Taisha, floats line up and launch into a mass performance—an unforgettable wall of sound. After that, locals and visitors join the Fujinomiya Ondo community dance. Don’t worry if you don’t know the steps—the lines are long, the mood is friendly, and you can copy the people in front of you.
4) Street Food & Local Flavor
Festival stalls fill the shrine grounds and nearby streets—around a hundred in the shrine area, and sometimes closer to two hundred across the wider zone depending on the year. Grab the local classic Fujinomiya Yakisoba (chewy noodles with savory toppings), plus favorites like takoyaki, yakitori, and sweets. It’s a great way to taste Japanese festival culture in one evening.
My Local Take
I’ve been coming since I was a kid—this is the biggest festival in Fujinomiya for us. What I still love most is that you can see Mt. Fuji, the festival, and Sengen Taisha all at once: the red shrine gate and lanterns in front, floats rolling by, and Fuji’s silhouette behind.
When the seriai starts, the distance between the two floats shrinks to almost zero and the sound wraps around you—you don’t just hear it, you feel it. And with about 100 stalls to wander through, you can snack, sip, and soak up the atmosphere for hours. If it’s your first time, stand along Kanda-dōri near Sengen Taisha on the evening of Nov 4—that’s the picture you’ll remember.
Quick Facts
- Best day: Nov 4 (Main Festival Day)—mass performance, seriai, and the biggest crowds
- Main area: Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha & Kanda-dōri
- Admission: Free, no tickets needed
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