Written by JC Team
2024 marks the 51st anniversary of one of the world’s greatest samurai parades: Shingen-ko Festival, located in Kōfu City.
What happens?
Named after one of Japan’s most famous historical figures, spend the day at the Shingen-kō Festival and Samurai Parade. According to the organizers, this is the largest samurai parade in the world.
On Saturday, 1000 people will gather at Maizuru Castle close to Kōfu Station and grandly march the streets, commemorating the warlord who once ruled the Yamanashi area.
The festival consists of dozens of mini-events and parades around the vicinity of Kōfu station, from tea ceremonies to a small craft market by local artisans. The centerpiece of the event is the deployment of the Koshu Battalion. This is a march of over 1,000 samurai in full ceremonial armor through the streets.
How to get there
Kōfu can be reached from Shinjuku in Tokyo by the Chuo Line Limited Express, taking 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.