Written by JC Team
Don’t miss the dance parade of the summer at the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival.
What happens?
The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival transforms Yamagata’s main street into a colorful parade featuring over 10,000 dancers adorned in splendid costumes and waving hats decorated with safflowers.
The event begins each evening at around 6 p.m. and concludes around 9:45 p.m.
The festival highlights include traditional Hanagasa Ondo music, bold taiko drums, and the iconic chant “Yassho makkasho”.
Each night, the parade ends with a segment where the audience can join in the dancing, making for an interactive and immersive cultural experience. With around one million spectators each year, this festival is a highlight of the summer in Tōhoku.
Schedule
The festival takes place from August 5 to August 7 each year.
Tickets 2026
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Yamagata Shinkansen until Yamagata Station (around 2 hours and 45 minutes). The festival location is about a 10-minute walk from Yamagata Station.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
