Events in Yamagata

Sakata Festival

Held annually since 1609, this three day festival in the Japan Sea port town of Sakata is renowned for its giant lion head floats and unique wheeled floats. The festival was originally known as …

Kasedori Festival

This unique festival gets its name from the straw coats worn by the participants. Apparently they’re supposed to be birds. While dancing, they cry out “kaah, kaah” – …

Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival

In Yonezawa City, there is a wonderful lantern festival that has been going on for nearly 50 years. What happens? 200 snow lanterns and around 1000 snow caves are lit up in Matsugasaki Park in …

Zao Snow Monster Festival

While most snow festivals feature man-made sculptures, the snow monsters of Zao — called juhyo in Japanese — are entirely natural, created in rare circumstances that require specific …