2026 Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri Full-Day Experience Course
Enjoy the first day of 'Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri' (August 5-7, 2026, at the Yamagata City Center Straight Course), one of the Four Major Festivals of Tohoku, where dancers walk while spinning safflower-adorned hanagasa to the chants of 'Yassho, Makasho.' This full-day course captures the spirit of this iconic festival. During the day, touch the remnants of Yamagata Castle at Kasujou Park, admire the charm of Taisho-era Bunshoken, and enjoy the cool waters at Gotenseki. After an early dinner at Nanoka-machi Shopping Street, the evening transforms the straight course through the city center into the festival stage. The colorful hanagasa spinning overhead in the grand group dance is a sight filled with the passion symbolizing Yamagata's summer.
Schedule
A lush green park spreading across the ruins of Yamagata Castle built by Mogami Yoshimitsu
A brick former prefectural government building and assembly hall evoking Taisho romance
Take a rest along the waterway flowing through town
Have an early dinner at the shopping street before heading to the venue
One of the Four Major Festivals of Tohoku where approximately 10,000 dancers carry hanagasa while spinning them in the straight course through the city center
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