Written by JC Team
Catch one of the world’s greatest samurai parades at the Shingen-kō Festival, taking place 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.
Schedule
Maizuru Castle Park is the main hub, with events running from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Stalls line the route from the park through Yūki-bashi Street and Kobai-kita Street.
From 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., there will be dance and folk performances inspired by Takeda Shingen and the Sengoku period. On the south side, Sengoku-era-style food stalls run throughout the day.
In the afternoon, Heiwa Street hosts the main processions: a mikoshi parade from 3–3:40 p.m., followed by a short cavalry march from 4:10–4:20 p.m. From 4:10–6:30 p.m., Suwa Taiko and Shingen Taiko performances fill the street with drums associated with the Takeda forces.
Nearby, Jōtō Street (between Kōfu City Hall and Yamanashi Chūō Bank Head Office) will host a dance with around 1,000 performers dancing from 3:45–4:45 p.m.
Around Kōfu Station, a tea ceremony in memory of Lord Shingen runs from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the north exit plaza, while the 5th Yamanashi Bacon Festival takes place all day (10 a.m.–8:00 p.m.) at Yochabare Square, with food stalls and a bacon-eating contest.
How to get there
Kōfu can be reached from Shinjuku in Tokyo by the Chuo Line Limited Express, taking 1 hour and 45 minutes.
