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[ Event Top ]
| Date: | Mid-January |
| Place: | Takahata Town |
| Access: | From JR Takahata Station, 10 minutes by car |
| Information: | Takahata Town Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division (TEL: 0238-52-4482) |
| Details: | In this festival, young men clad only in loincloths parade through the streets carrying a 4.5m giant straw sandal weighing 600kg. In the evening, a ritual called gSaito-yakih is held, at the Yashiro Riverside, in which old straw sandals are burnt. This is a festival wishing for a good harvest and family safety, and is a celebration of Winter. |
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| Date: | Mid-January |
| Place: | Hachiman Shrine, Chigawara district, Amarume Town |
| Access: | From JR Amarume Station, 10 minutes by car |
| Information: | Amarume Town Tourism Association (TEL: 0234-42-2559) |
| Details: | A unique festival which has been handed down for generations in the Chigawara district as a ritual praying for people's health and safe delivery. Shrouded in the coldness of deep winter, barefooted boys clad only in straw skirts worship many times, perhaps even one hundred times, whilst cold water is poured on them, making spectators shiver too. |
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| Date: | February 1`2 |
| Place: | Kurokawa district, Kushibiki Town |
| Access: | There is a bus available from JR Tsuruoka Station. (or 30 minutes by car) |
| Information: | Kurokawa Noh Preservation Association (in the Kushibiki Town Board of Education) (TEL: 0235-57-2111 ext.351) |
| Details: | This is a local ritual at Kasuga Shrine where prayers are made for a good harvest. During the festival, Kurokawa Noh, an important intangible folk cultural property which has been preserved and passed down mainly by local farmers for almost 500 years, is performed for the god at two appointed houses and on the Noh stage at the shrine. |
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| Date: | Early to Mid-February | Place: | Zao Ski Ground, Yamagata City |
| Access: | There is a bus available from JR Yamagata Station. (from where it is 50 minutes by car) or else it is 45 minutes by car from Yamagata Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway. |
| Information: | Yamagata City Tourism Association (TEL: 023-641-1112) |
| Details: | Zao is well-known for skiing and Juhyo Snow Monsters which are ice formations on the snow-covered fir trees. Seen from Mt.Jizo via the Utopia slope, they create fantastic monuments in Zao, in Winter. During the festival many events are held including an illumination of the Juhyo snow monster trees and the gSnow and Flame Feasth. Non-skiers can also see the Juhyo by using a ropeway. |
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| Date: | Mid-February |
| Place: | Kaminoyama City(from Komine Shrine, Kaminoyama Castle to downtown) |
| Access: | From JR Kaminoyama-Onsen Station, 10 minutes by car |
| Information: | Kaminoyama City Tourism Association(TEL: 023-672-0839) |
| Details: | A folk event which has a history of almost 350 years. Kase is a homonym meaning both earning money and the flames. For this reason, this unique custom has been handed down as a ritual wishing for business prosperity and fire prevention. Half-naked young men wearing straw coats parade and call on each household chantinggKase-Dori, Kase-Dori, Oiwai-da, Ku, Ku, Kuhand residents pour water over their heads. |
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| Date: | Mid-February |
| Place: | Matsugasaki Park, Yonezawa City |
| Access: | From JR Yonezawa Station, the bus is available (or 10 minutes by car) | Information: | Yonezawa City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division (TEL: 0238-22-5111) |
| Details: | The event is considered to be a charm of winter in the snowy region of Yonezawa. Countless snow lamps and approximately 350 snow lanterns are kindled enveloping the place in fantastic beauty. Several related events are held, such as a snow-gazing banquet and a Shinto service for departed souls. The white snow and flaring candles create a romantic atmosphere. |
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| Date: | Mid-February |
| Place: | Hiei Shrine, Kuromori district, Sakata City |
| Access: | There is a bus available from JR Sakata Station. (or 25 minutes by car) |
| Information: | Sakata City Cultural Promotion Division (TEL: 0234-26-5777) |
| Details: | This is a theatrical art form of farmers which has been handed down for almost 260 years in the Kuromori district. This folklore art is the fruit of local farmers' strenuous efforts. The way of viewing Kabuki on the snow packed precincts of the shrine is considered to be very precious in the history of Japanese stage arts. |
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| Date: | April 2`3 |
| Place: | Yachi district, Kahoku Town |
| Access: | From JR Sagae Station, the bus is available (or 20 minutes by car) |
| Information: | Kahoku Town Tourism Association (TEL: 0237-72-3787) |
| Details: | Kahoku Town has long prospered with markets having been held frequently for the past 400 years. Many goods were sold but the main attractions were the Hina Dolls. As Kahoku Town flourished by trading safflowers with Kyoto, which were important materials for producing grougeh, returning boats brought many cultural assets back with them and introduced them to the area. Part of Kyoto culture were brought in this way. Nowadays Hina Dolls which are centuries old and owned by local celebrities are shown to the public. At the Hina Tomb located in the precincts of Akiba Shrine, a Shinto ritual is carried out to console the spirits of used hina dolls. |
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| Date: | Mid-April |
| Place: | Ubasawa district, Nishikawa Town |
| Access: | There is a bus available from JR Sagae Station(transfer at Yamagata Station) (or from JR Yamagata Station, 90 minutes by car) |
| Information: | Gassan Asahi Tourism Association(TEL: 0237-74-2111) |
| Details: | Gassan Ski Ground doesn't open until April because of an excessive accumulation of snow. Therefore the ski season lasts until early Summer. |
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| Date: | April 29`May 3 |
| Place: | the Matsukawa Riverbank, Yonezawa City |
| Access: | From JR Yonezawa Station, 15 minutes on foot (or 10 minutes by car) |
| Information: | Yonezawa City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division (TEL: 0238-22-5111) |
| Details: | This is the annual festival of the Uesugi Shrine dedicated to Kenshin Uesugi(the founder of the Uesugi Clan). A Samurai Procession, a reenactment of the battle of Kawanaka-jima, and other events are held. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the ruins of Yonezawa Castle, and ushers the arrival of the Spring season, the festival looks like an opened out grand historical picture scroll. On May 2, Butei-shiki (Lord Kenshin had a ceremony when he set off the battle)is faithfully reenacted. On May 3, a Mikoshi (portable shrine) procession is held, and the Uesugi corps, consisting of samurai, 40-odd armored horsemen and hundreds of foot soldiers, parade through the main street. The final main event is a reenactment of the famous battle of Kawanakajima which is unfold magnificently, as if you are seeing the unrolling of a picture scroll from the Warring States period. |
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| Date: | Late April |
| Place: | Maizuru Park, Tendo City |
| Access: | From JR Tendo Station, 10 minutes on foot (or 3 minutes by car) |
| Information: | Tendo City Tourism and Products Association (TEL: 023-653-1680) |
| Details: | This is held at the Maizuru Park when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The human chess game is said to have originated under the reign of Hideyoshi Toyotomi(1537-1598) who had an outdoor Shogi game with Kanpaku(chief adviser to the Emperor) Hidetsugu. The maids and pages of the castle were likened to shogi pieces. Men and women wearing Edo period colorful costumes move back and forth on the large board. As Tendo boasts 95% of the national output of Shogi pieces, and is known widely as the city of Shogi, it is very appropriate that the event be held here. |
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| Date: | May 19`21 |
| Place: | main street, Sakata City |
| Access: | From JR Sakata Station, 20 minutes on foot, or 10 minutes by bus |
| Information: | Sakata Tourism Association (TEL: 0234-24-2233) |
| Details: | This is a festival representing Sakata with a history of almost 390 years. Formerly it was called the Sanno Matsuri, and is one of the main festivals of the Tohoku region. In the Edo period, as a symbol of Sakata's wealthy merchants, commoners were allowed to have swords like samurai class, although only for the duration of the festival. Festival Hanaguruma (flower floats) and ornaments which formerly vied with each other to be the most gorgeous are on display at appointed houses, reminding us of erstwhile prosperity. |
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| Date: | May 25 |
| Place: | Ginza Street, Tsuruoka City |
| Access: | From JR Tsuruoka Station, 20 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by bus |
| Information: | Tsuruoka City Tourism and Products Division (TEL: 0235-25-2111) |
| Details: | The festival is also called gBakemono (monster) Festivalh. Originally, it derived from the story that when Michizane Sugawara, a politician and scholar who lived from 845`903 in the Heian era, was sent into exile. Many followers secretly mourned his tragedy by drinking sake with each other. Now young and old people clad in kimono underwear and straw-hats serve sake to passersby. It is said that if nobody sees through the plot for 3 years, your wishes will come true. |
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| Date: | From mid-June to early July |
| Place: | Ayame Park, Nagai City |
| Access: | From Nagai Station on the Flower Nagai Line(transfer at Akayu Station on the Yamagata Shinkansen Line), 15 minutes on foot |
| Information: | Nagai City Tourism Association (TEL: 0238-88-5279) |
| Details: | In the park, one million white and purple graceful iris flowers bloom. There are 500 varieties of plant. During the festival, various related events such as Nodate (outdoor tea ceremony) and a products fair are held. |
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| Date: | From mid-July to late August |
| Place: | Iimori-yama Cultural Park, Sakata City |
| Access: | From JR Sakata Station, 15 minutes by bus or 5 minutes by car from Sakata Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway |
| Information: | Sakata Tourism Association (TEL: 0234-24-2233) |
| Details: | 94 kinds of hydrangea (15,300 plants in all) bloom in the park in which a tea ceremony, and gardening trees and plants fair are held. In the park there is a Memorial Museum for Ken Domon (a famous realist photographer) which, and as the first museum of its kind in Japan, attracts many visitors. |
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| Date: | Mid-July |
| Place: | Gassan Asahi Hakubutsu-mura, Asahi Village |
| Access: | There is a bus available from JR Tsuruoka Station, or from JR Yamagata Station. Or it is 30 minutes by car from Gassan Interchange or 7 minutes by car from Shonai-Asahi Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway |
| Information: | Japan Outdoor System Asahi Village (TEL: 0235-53-3777) |
| Details: | Participants bungee jump from the bridge over the Bonji River. Some wear in fancy dress and others perform various actions. Many non-Japanese residents join in. With the exception of Winter, visitors can be refreshed by the beautiful natural environment with fresh green in Spring and Summer, and colorful foliage in Autumn. |
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| Date: | Late July |
| Place: | Kushibiki Town Sports Park, Kushibiki Town |
| Access: | From JR Tsuruoka Station, 15 minutes by bus |
| Information: | Kushibiki Town Planning Division (TEL: 0235-57-2115) |
| Details: | Kurokawa Noh has been influenced by Sarugaku Noh, as perfected by Zeami (a Noh performer and playwright in the early Muromachi period, late 14th century). Now Kurokawa Noh is performed on the shrine stage as a way for local people to serve the god. With a 500 year history, this is performed on an out-door stage set on the pond illuminated by a bonfire, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Sui-En-no-Noh literally means water-and-flame-Noh. |
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| Date: | August 5`7 |
| Place: | main street (Nanoka-machi, Hon-cho and Toka-machi on Route 112), Yamagata City |
| Access: | From JR Yamagata Station, 10 minutes on foot |
| Information: | Yamagata Prefecture Hanagasa Association (TEL: 023-642-8753) |
| Details: | This is one of the four big festivals in the Tohoku region, when more than 10,000 dancers parade along the main street accompanied by a folk song called the "Hanagasa-Ondo" (Flower Hat Song). It is also known as "A Flower Hat Dance". Spectators who want to dance are welcomed to join in the dance parade. For the people of Yamagata, Summer is not Summer without this festival. |
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| Date: | August 24`26 |
| Place: | Shinjo City |
| Access: | From JR Shinjo Station, 10 minutes on foot |
| Information: | Shinjo Festival Executive Committee(TEL: 0233-22-6855) |
| Details: | The festival is well-known as the biggest float parade in the Tohoku region with a 250-year history. Dances are lively, and are demonstrated to the accompaniment of dynamic Japanese drums. Approximately 20 festival floats made by each community parade through the main street. They really are magnificent. |
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| Date: | Early to Mid-September |
| Place: | Tsukioka Park, Kaminoyama City |
| Access: | From JR Kaminoyama-Onsen Station, 10 minutes on foot |
| Information: | Kaminoyama City Tourism Association(TEL: 023-672-0839) |
| Details: | This is a modern version of a masquerade contest of scarecrows which have long been familiar as the guardians of good harvests. It symbolizes Yamagata, the breadbasket, and more than 300 scarecrows gather. Numerous original scarecrows come from all over Japan, satirizing current worldly affairs in a festival open to the public. |
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| Date: | Early September |
| Place: | Mamigasaki Riverside, Yamagata City |
| Access: | From JR Yamagata Station, 25 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by bus |
| Information: | Yamagata Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Department (TEL: 023-622-4666) |
| Details: | This is the biggest pot cooking event in Japan, and an autumnal celebration in Yamagata Prefecture. During the festival, Yamagata's local food gImo-nih is cooked using taro potatoes, beef, konnyaku cakes and green leek with soy sauce in a giant pot 6 meters in diameter and served to many people. For Yamagatans, it is a great pleasure to cook and eat imoni while enjoying chatting by the river on a sunny day in Autumn before the long, cold Winter season comes. |
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| Date: | September 14`17 |
| Place: | Yachi Hachiman Shrine, Kahoku Town |
| Access: | From JR Sagae Station, 20 minutes by bus, 10 minutes by car from Yamagata Airport, or 15 minutes from Sagae Interchange on the Yamagata Expressway |
| Information: | Kahoku Town Tourism Association(TEL: 0237-72-3787) |
| Details: | Centering around Shinto rituals at the Yachi-Hachiman Shrine, various events are held. Yachi-Bugaku, which originally was a Court dance and an important national intangible folk cultural property with a 1200 year history, is offered to the shrine. |
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| Date: | Early October |
| Place: | Sosho Park, Nan'yo City |
| Access: | From Miyauchi Station on the Flower Nagai Line (transfer at JR Akayu Station), 10 minutes on foot, or 10 minutes by car from JR Akayu Station |
| Information: | Nan'yo City Tourism Association (TEL: 0238-40-2002) |
| Details: | This festival is the oldest of its kind in the Tohoku region with more than 80-years of tradition. Gorgeous dolls made by local craftsmen and decorated with beautiful chrysanthemums are artistically arranged in potted chrysanthemum exhibitions, displaying Yamagata's traditional flower culture. Like cherry blossom, the chrysanthemum flower is very familiar to and popular with Japanese people. Please enjoy their graceful fragrance. |
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| Date: | Early November |
| Place: | Downtown (Ginza street), Tsuruoka City |
| Access: | From JR Tsuruoka Station, 20 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by bus |
| Information: | Shonai Hyakuman-goku Festival Executive Committee (TEL: 0235-24-7711) |
| Details: | This festival is held to give thanks for a good harvest and for hard work by farmers on the Shonai Plain, the breadbasket of the prefecture. During the festival, a straw bag carrying race and a "Miss. Shonai" Parade are held. |
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| Date: | December 31`January 1 |
| Place: | Dewa-Sanzan Shrine at the top of Mt.Haguro, Haguro Town |
| Access: | There is a bus available from JR Tsuruoka Station or else it is 50 minutes by car |
| Information: | Dewa-Sanzan Shrine(TEL: 0235-62-2355) |
| Details: | This is the annual festivity of Mt.Haguro's Dewa Sanzan Shrine held from the eve of the New Year through to New Year's Day. The festival is held based on a tradition which says that approximately 1400 years ago Prince Hachiko, the opener of the Three Holy Mountains of Dewa (known as a religious training site for Yamabushi mountain ascetics), exterminated Tsutsuga-mushi mites(harmful insects) by burning them. This is the most important New Year's festival on Mt.Haguro, during which giant torches symbolizing the tsutsuga-mushi are burnt down, wishing for farmers' safety and also praying for a good harvest in the coming year. |
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