"The train back is still crowded... I'm not going to graduate this year."
Chichibu Night Festival 2026: all the group members in one vehicle. A private transfer plan that lets you watch the fireworks all the way to your home.
The Chichibu Night Festival, held on December 2 (Shoujin) and 3 (Omiya), is one of the three largest Yaki-san festivals in Japan. The climax of this festival, the Star Mine fireworks display, continues until around 10 p.m. When you go to see it with a group of friends or family, are you concerned about the following: “I might have to leave early because I have to catch the last train,” “I heard that standing in line for more than 30 minutes at the station is real,” “With more than five people, there are several taxis?”—In this article, we will organize how a group of 4 to 9 people can enjoy the Chichibu Night Festival to the fullest.
Three common pitfalls of group travel on the way back from the Chichibu Night Festival
While the Chichibu Night Festival is free to enter, transportation arrangements require advance planning. With more than 300,000 people attending each year, the area around Seibu Chichibu Station and Chichibu Railway Omogahata Station becomes crowded almost immediately after the festival ends.
Pitfall 1: Fireworks end around 10 p.m. — Even with a special train, the line will be inevitable
The star show on the festival day (December 3) is launched until around 22:00, after which the returning guests head to the station. Seibu Railway increases the number of special express trains every year, and the final midnight special train departs around 23:00, but even then, at peak times of congestion, it can take 1 to 2 hours to get on. In the night of December in Chichibu, the temperature can drop to nearly zero degrees, and standing in the freezing cold on the platform for the entire group can be physically and mentally exhausting.
Pitfall No. 2: Groups of 5 or more will have overlapping rides and waiting times
If you think, "I can just take a taxi on the spot," it turns out that five to nine people can't fit in one car. Dividing up into two or three groups makes it more difficult to get together, and it's easy to get confused about where to meet up, or how to catch up with the rest of the group while the car that came in first is waiting. The fact that taxis are not guaranteed to be available in sufficient numbers in the late hours of Chichibu on the day of the event also adds to the anxiety factor.
Lesson 3: Regret for having come all the way here only to leave halfway through
When calculating the time of the last train, there are cases where the last float must leave the venue before arriving at the travel agency. As a result, every year we hear complaints about “returning before StarMine,” or “not being able to see the climax.” This is a regret that can be avoided by ensuring a way to get home.
Four reasons why charter jumbo taxis are suitable for the Chichibu Night Festival
The jumbo taxi with one driver that can solve this "return problem of the Chichibu Night Festival" in advance is the best option.
You can watch the fireworks all the way to the end
There is no time limit on the end of the day. Once StarMine is launched and the floats are assembled, you can set off at your own pace. Another option is to wait until the crowds have calmed down.
All the group members can ride in one vehicle
With a jumbo taxi (HiAce Wide) that can carry up to nine people, you won’t have to worry about splitting up as you go home; the trip can also be a great time to discuss the festival.
Directly to your home, no transfers
From Chichibu to areas across Saitama, Tokyo’s 23 wards, and the Chiba area—no transfers required. You don’t have to climb stairs with heavy luggage in the middle of the night.
Even in the late night of December, you can stay warm in the car
You won't have to wait in the cold at home or on the street anymore. Even if you have a group of children or elderly people, or if you have a lot of winter clothing and gift bags, you can still get on the bus with ease.
It’s especially suited to groups like this.
Please compare it with your own group.
✓ For groups of 4-9 friends or family members from Saitama or Tokyo
✓ You have children or elderly relatives, and you are worried about traveling late at night on a crowded train
✓ I want to go home after watching Star Mine to the end
✓ A lot of luggage including warm outerwear, camera equipment, and souvenirs
✓ "I also want to arrange for the return trip as a coordinator"
On the other hand, if you simply want to go on a trip with 1 or 2 people and enjoy the view from the window of a Seibu Line train or the journey on a special express train, the Chichi Express is a great option. For groups who want to ensure freedom of time, charter taxis are particularly a reasonable option.
Interested in the travel time and cost
Approximate travel time from Saitama and Tokyo
Depending on the road conditions, the time for departure may vary. However, as a general guideline, the following is a good estimate: On the day of the festival, surrounding roads may be congested, so we recommend setting a departure time with plenty of time.
| Approximate departure location | Approximate time required for one way travel | Main Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Saitama City (Omiya, Urawa) | About 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours | Via Kansei Expressway/Hanayanagi IC |
| Tokyo 23 wards (Ikebukuro, Hatabashi, and Nerima) | About 2 to 2.5 hours | Via Nerima IC and Hanao IC |
| Kawagoe, Sōza, and Inagi areas | About 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes | R299 via Hanazono IC |
| Chiba (Funabashi and Ichikawa) | About 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours | Via the outer ring road, Kansei IC, and Hanao IC |
When divided by the number of people, it can be surprisingly affordable.
Because Jumbo Taxi offers a private-car rental system, the more people you have, the lower the individual cost per person. If you travel one way with 6 to 9 people, compared to taking the train (including special fares), which is cheaper? It depends on the distance and departure point. If you want to know how much it would actually cost for your group, please consider the following factors: date and time, departure point, and number of people.Feel free to contact us via the web form.(Open 24 hours). This is not a fixed price, but a "guide and estimate" for your reference.
Reservation Flow
- Contact us via web form:Please enter the desired date, departure point, and destination (such as around Chichibu Shrine), and the number of people.
- Estimate and schedule adjustment:We will provide you with route, estimated fare, and departure time suggestions.
- Reservation Confirmed:Once you are satisfied with the content, it will be confirmed. Reservations will be concentrated in early December, so please contact us as soon as possible.
- Boarding on the day:We will pick you up at your designated location. On the way back, we will send you directly from Chichibu.
Early consultation is the key:December 2nd and 3rd are one of the busiest booking periods of the year. If you contact us during October and November, we will be able to secure the vehicle and time of your choice more easily.
summary
The Chichibu Night Festival is one of the best winter festivals in Japan. Watch the star show light up the night sky until the very end and then head home in a warm car—if you secure your group travel arrangements in advance, that day will happen.
For groups of 4 to 9 people, private jumbo taxis that allow you to enjoy the ride without worrying about the last train are one of the arrangements that will especially delight the organizers. Once you have decided on the number of people and the date, please feel free to contact us first.
For moving around during the Chichibu Night Festival, please first consult with us.
Simply let us know the date, time, departure point, and number of people. You can contact us 24 hours a day through the web form.
Contact via web form
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