The Setagaya Firefly Festival and Sagiso Market make their grand return to the heart of Tokyo’s Setagaya district from July 15th to 16th, 2023. This magical two-day event lets you admire the season’s prime flora and fauna at the same time, making for a uniquely enchanting experience.
Setagaya Firefly Festival – A Dance of Lights
Now in its 41st year, the Setagaya Firefly Festival initially took off due to the local community’s desire to showcase the beauty of fireflies – creatures that once habituated Setagaya – to the younger generations. Today, this captivating light show draws people from far and wide who come to watch the fireflies dance their ethereal waltz.
The event takes place in a specially erected dome in front of the Setagaya Daikan House. Heike fireflies are released within the dome, creating an enchanting scene of magical lights that’s free for all to enjoy (although an exchange system is implemented for crowd control).
Sagiso Market
Simultaneously, the Sagiso Market, hosted by the Uemachi Tensho Shrine, showcases the district’s iconic flower – the Sagiso. As a flower that hits its peak season around the time of the festival, you’re in for an eye-catching array of blooms. Visitors can not only view but also purchase these flowers at the market, allowing them to take a piece of the event home.
The Sagiso Market isn’t just about flowers, though. It also offers a variety of local products and hosts fun events for children, making it a perfect outing for families. And let’s not forget the traditional Bon dance festival that adds a touch of local culture to the entire event.
Event Details
Name: Setagaya Firefly Festival and Sagiso Market Dates: July 15th (Saturday) to July 16th (Sunday), 2023 Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Firefly viewing time: 5:00 PM (planned) – 9:00 PM Location: In front of the Setagaya Daikan House and Uemachi Tensho Shrine among others Address: 1-29-18 Setagaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Admission: Free
For your convenience, the nearest train stations are:
- Setagaya Station (Tokyu Setagaya Line), a 5-minute walk
- Kamimachi Station (Tokyu Setagaya Line), a 5-minute walk
Embrace this weekend as an opportunity to bask in the natural beauty of Setagaya, replete with shimmering fireflies and vibrant Sagiso flowers, all while reveling in the warmth of the local community.
