Yamagata Hanagasa Festival 2026
Some 10,000 dancers twirl flower-adorned straw hats to the rhythmic cry of 'Yassho, makasho!' in one of Tohoku's biggest parades.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/08/05 09:00 – 2026/08/07
- Where
- Tokamachi–Honcho main street, Yamagata（Honcho, Yamagata, Yamagata 990-0043）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- Approx. 10-min walk from Yamagata Station (Yamagata Shinkansen)
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Yamagata Hanagasa Festival Executive Committee
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Approx. 10-min walk from Yamagata Station (Yamagata Shinkansen) Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families, groups of friends
Highlights
- 10,000 dancers in dazzling flower-hat costumes
- Decorated floats leading the night parade
- Live taiko and the signature 'Hanagasa Ondo' chant
Background & story
Begun in 1963, the dance derives from work songs sung while building irrigation reservoirs, with the flower hats representing local safflowers.
Good to know
It's one of Tohoku's big four festivals in early August — combine it with Sendai or Akita on a festival tour.