Located in the centre of Saitama Prefecture, Konosu City was originally developed as the ‘Konosu-juku’ post station along the Nakasendo route, one of the five major highways in Japan during the Edo period. Since then, the city has prospered into a city that cherishes the interactions between traditional industries and people.
Doll making is a renowned traditional industry in the city. The Konosu Astonishing Doll Festival held annually between mid-February and early March showcases the tallest pyramid Hina doll display in Japan (31 levels and 7 metres tall), as recognised on 14 Feb 2010 by the Nippon-1 Net, an organisation that acknowledges No. 1 achievements in Japan. At the same time, events that boast the city’s status as ‘The Hina Doll Town Konosu’, such as special exhibitions at the Hina no Sato Hina Doll Museum, are held in various parts of the city.
Konosu City also has a thriving floricultural industry and is known as ‘Flower Town Konosu’. The 12.5 ha poppy field ‘Poppy Happy Square’ on the Arakawa riverbank in the city was recognised as the largest poppy field in Japan on 1 Nov 2008 by the Nippon 1-Net. When the flowers are in full bloom in May every year, the 30 million beautiful red and orange poppies form a colourful carpet. The Poppy Festival is held from mid-May to late May and includes attractions such as performances and sales of local agricultural produce.
Finally, the Konosu Fireworks Festival is a dazzling fireworks festival that is featured prominently in the national fireworks festival rankings. Held at the Arakawa riverbank, the highlight of the festival is the enormous fireworks display that is unique to the widest river in Japan. The firework display on 8 October 2011 named ‘Phoenix Dance’ was over four minutes long and had a total of 302 firework balls- 300 firework balls with a 30 cm radius and two with a 90 cm radius. Approximately 75.5 shots were fired per minute and the display was recognised as the firework display with the largest number of shots per minute by the Nippon 1-Net.
Please come and visit Konosu City when the travel bans have been lifted and take part in our various festivals!
