Chichibu, a mountainous region near Tokyo, is renowned for its annual night festival, an event with a long tradition. The festival is one of the three greatest night festivals in Japan, and is held for three days each December. YATAI BAYASHI is performed during the entire festival on top of six fully decorated 20-ton floats each pulled by about two hundred people.
In 1955, CHICHIBU YATAI BAYASHI was designated as an Intangible Cultural Asset by the prefectural authorities. In commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of this honour, the group founded a TAIKO school in 1985.
There are more than 900 graduates which include non-Japanese players.