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December 2-3 • Chichibu, Japan

Chichibu Night Festival

Held in Saitama Prefecture, the Chichibu Night Festival is considered one of Japan's top three festivals featuring massive, elaborate floats. These 10-to-20-ton wooden floats are pulled through the streets accompanied by flute and drum music, culminating in a nearly three-hour firework display. Today we're debating the art of effort—is a festival better when it requires months of manual labor to build, or should we use modern tech to make it easier? We explore the spirit of chichibu.

Chichibu Night Festival Lesson Visual

Speaking Discussion

  • Why do humans enjoy watching massive objects move through narrow streets?
  • Is a three-hour firework show beautiful or a waste of money and energy?
  • What is the most elaborate thing you have ever seen built by hand?
  • Does a festival need noise (drums/flutes) to feel successful, or can silence be powerful too?
  • Why are winter festivals so important in cultures that have cold climates?

Activity 1: The Float Designer

You are a Master Craftsman. You have 1 minute to explain why your float is the best in Japan using the word "Craftsmanship".

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Debate

Justify your answer in 30 seconds:

  • "Handmade is always better than machine-made."
  • "Winter festivals are better than summer ones."
  • "Fireworks should be banned in cities."