Okegawa “Benihana” Festival, Okegawa, Saitama
The “Benihana” festival in Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture, is a festival where the crimson fields of safflowers spreading all over the city look beautiful in the early summer sunlight. In addition to the brightly colored benihana flowers, there will be a market of local agricultural products and crafts, hands-on workshops such as safflower dyeing and paper cutting, local entertainment and live music, and much more. Come out with your family and friends to fully enjoy Okegawa’s “Citizen’s Flowers” with all your senses.
| Holding period | Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15, 2025 |
| Business Hours | 9:30 – 15:00 (Stage events will be held from ~16:00) |
| admission fee | free |
| Location | Main Venue: Benihana no Sato Okegawa, Roadside Station 4324-1 Oaza Kawadaya, Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture Agricultural Center Kawadaya Lifelong Learning Center |
| Access | Train & Bus] Free shuttle bus service from West Exit of JR Okegawa Station [Car] About 10 minutes from Okegawa Kitamoto IC on the Saitama-Omiya Line of the Metropolitan Expressway Free parking lot available |
Okegawa Benihana Festival Overview
Okegawa used to be the second largest safflower producer in Japan. The Benihana Festival is held every year around the time the safflowers are at their best. Visitors can enjoy a variety of events at the main venue, including a product market of local agricultural products and crafts, workshops of safflower dyeing and paper cutting, and various stage events ranging from local performing arts to music and dance performances. The best time to view the safflower fields scattered throughout the city is from mid to late June. Visitors can take a “safflower drive” by shuttle bus or car to view the crimson carpet of safflowers up close and personal. The red petals and the early summer breeze will allow visitors to fully experience Okegawa’s industry and culture through all five senses during the two-day tour.
Each venue will be filled with events for both days.
◯Products Market
Fresh vegetables, processed goods, local products, and local food and beverage booths will be lined up.
◯Stage events
A variety of programs will be held, including local performing arts, songs and dance stages.
Benihana Dyeing Experience Up to 20 people per session
Dyeing postcard-sized cloth using safflower petals. Advance reservations required.
◯Kiri-e experience (9:30-14:00)
Create paper cutouts of Okegawa’s mascot “Oke-chan” and other characters. Free of charge.
◯Gardening Class (*June 15 only* 13:30-14:30)
A class on planting with flower seedlings and soil. Max. 30 people, fee 2,000 yen (including materials). Participants may bring their own pots. Advance reservations required (if space is available, participants may join on the day of the class).
- Admission is free and you can fully enjoy the festival of Benihana (Beni Flower Festival) to your heart’s content.
- At the market, you can buy freshly picked vegetables and benihana-related products, and at the stage events, you can enjoy local entertainment and live performances! Be sure to stop by for a shopping spree.
- Traditional Safflower Dyeing and Creative Experience The safflower dyeing experience using “safflower” is a cultural experience unique to Okegawa. There are also classes in paper cutting and gardening, and a variety of creative programs for children and adults.
- Benihana Dyeing Experience is by advance reservation only. Half of the places have already been filled (as of June 4), so please make reservations as soon as possible!
- The parking lot at the roadside station can be crowded, so coming early or using public transportation is recommended.
Contents may be suspended or changed due to weather or other reasons.
Please check the official website and official X for the latest information before visiting.
For more information, please visit the official website