Product Description

Step into the new year with purpose and tradition at the Maebashi Hatsuichi Festival, a beloved annual event taking place on Thursday, January 9, 2026. With over 400 years of history, this vibrant street festival is held in the heart of Maebashi City and celebrates new beginnings through the symbolic use of daruma dolls—a traditional talisman of perseverance and good luck in Japan.

A Festival of Intentions and Renewal

The core of the festival revolves around the daruma, a round, red doll used to set and visualize goals. When you purchase a daruma, its eyes are left blank. You fill in one eye when setting your goal and the second upon achieving it—making it a physical reminder of your determination.

Visitors will find Honmachi-dori lined with shops and stalls selling daruma in various sizes and colors, as well as street food vendors offering all your favorite Japanese treats. There’s also a special bonfire ceremony, where last year’s daruma are ritually burned to express gratitude and close out the previous year’s wishes.

Adding to the festive energy, the nearby National Route 50 is closed to vehicle traffic, transforming the area into a lively pedestrian zone filled with lucky trinkets, food stands, and cultural activities. The festival is not only a way to preserve Maebashi’s historic identity but also a means to revitalize local industry and community spirit.

Event Highlights:

• Daruma Sales: Choose your goal-setting companion for the year.
• Daruma Bonfire Ceremony: Witness the rare and meaningful burning of old daruma.
• Food & Souvenirs: Enjoy a variety of local snacks and shop for traditional charms.
• Transfer Ceremony: A symbolic ritual to pass on the tradition to future generations.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, January 9, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Traffic Restrictions: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Location:
  • National Route 50 (from Honmachi 1-chome to Gosaji)
  • Maebashi Hachimangu Shrine grounds

Access:

• By Train: The venue is approximately 10 minutes on foot from Maebashi Station.
• By Car: Note that traffic restrictions will be in place in the festival area. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport.

Admission:

• Free entry, but bring some yen if you’d like to purchase a daruma, lucky charms, or festival food.

Contact Information:
Maebashi Hatsuichi Festival Executive Committee Secretariat
(Maebashi City Urban Development Public Corporation – Urban Development Promotion Division)
TEL: 027-289-5565
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Maebashi Hatsuichi Festival is a powerful way to start the year with hope, tradition, and community.