A visit to the 44th Saiwai Ward Festival: a lively venue and visions for Saiwai in 20 years

The 44th Saiwai Ward Festival around the ward office

We visited the 44th Saiwai Ward Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The event spread across the Saiwai Ward Office, Saiwai Civic Hall, Saiwai Sports Center and Saiwai Health and Welfare Plaza.

A large crowd gathered in front of the main stage in Yume Square, with rows of blue-and-white tents around it. The community-run festival was organized by the Saiwai Ward Festival Executive Committee.

Across the venue, blue-and-white tents surrounded the dining area while visitors filled the walkways.

Faces visible in the photographs have been obscured for privacy.

The ward office, civic hall and sports center

The site was divided among several buildings and outdoor areas. Saiwai Sports Center stood to the west, Saiwai Ward Office in the center and Saiwai Civic Hall to the east. A dining area was set up in front of the civic hall, with the main stage and children's area farther south in Yume Square.

Source: 44th Saiwai Ward Festival venue map, Saiwai Ward Festival Executive Committee (official event page).

Food, handmade goods and local displays

The festival included food, handmade goods and exhibits from community groups and public agencies. These are some of the stalls we saw.

We tried the fried bread sold by the Saiwai Ward Children's Association Federation. A sign listed it at ¥200 per piece, and orders kept coming in.

The Saiwai branch of the confectionery association sold freshly pounded anko and kinako mochi, along with packaged sekihan. They looked tempting, but the queue was very long. Takoyaki and yakisoba were also available elsewhere at the festival.

Mankikki Co., Ltd. sold flower arrangements and seasonal items for Halloween, Christmas and New Year. The handmade decorations included a black cat surrounded by flowers.

Ride a police motorbike or patrol car

At the mobile police box, visitors could sit on police motorcycles and inside a patrol vehicle. Families stopped to see the vehicles up close.

The Saiwai Traffic Safety Association and Saiwai Ward Traffic Safety Council booths offered road-safety information, a VR experience, reflex and agility tests using Quick Arm and step equipment, and a police motorcycle display. Visitors could learn about safety while taking part in physical activities.

Wishes for Saiwai 20 years from now

One display asked what kind of community people would like Saiwai Ward to become in 20 years.

It pictured hopes for:

• A community filled with seasonal flowers and greenery
• Parks where children can play freely
• Places to interact with animals
• Clean streets where people can walk safely
• Convenient transport and a comfortable living environment
• Places where different generations can meet

The display emphasized nature and human connections alongside new facilities. Another map invited visitors to add sticky notes with their recommended cycling locations.

By bus from Kawasaki West Exit

For this festival, nearby Tode Elementary School served as temporary bicycle parking. A large sign marked the entrance, and bicycles could be parked on the school grounds.

Future arrangements may differ, so check the ward's official access information before attending.

Contacts

Contact the General Affairs Section of the Saiwai Ward Office Community Development Promotion Department, which serves as the festival committee secretariat, at 044-556-6603 or 63soumu@city.kawasaki.jp.