The Yonezawa Uesugi Festival, a beloved spring tradition in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, runs from April 29 (Wednesday, national holiday) to May 3 (Sunday, national holiday), 2026. For the second consecutive year, the festival is offering a dedicated program for international travelers, allowing visitors from abroad to take part in the dramatic Battle of Kawanakajima reenactment.
What Is the Yonezawa Uesugi Festival?
The Yonezawa Uesugi Festival celebrates the arrival of spring after Tohoku's long, harsh winter. The festivities include a samurai procession through the streets of Yonezawa with participants clad in authentic armor, the Buteki ceremony (武禘式) in which Uesugi Kenshin prays for victory before battle, and the centerpiece event: the Battle of Kawanakajima. In this large-scale reenactment, around 700 participants split into the armies of Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen to vividly recreate one of the defining clashes of Japan's Sengoku era. It stands as one of the largest samurai events in Japan and is entirely unique to Yonezawa.
Both the samurai procession and the Battle of Kawanakajima are open to general participants as well as local residents (paid). Registration for participation has already closed due to high demand, but paid viewing seats for the battle reenactment remain available until 9:00 AM on May 1, 2026 (Friday). For details, visit the Yonezawa Uesugi Festival official website.
2026 Event Schedule
- April 29 (Wed, national holiday): Opening ceremony, Uesugi Shrine Grand Festival, folk dance parade (alternating New Hanagasa Ondo and Hanagasa Ondo)
- April 30 (Thu): Matsugasaki Shrine Grand Festival
- May 2 (Sat): Buteki ceremony and Buteki procession
- May 3 (Sun, national holiday): Uesugi Army Procession and Battle of Kawanakajima
International Visitors Welcome for a Second Year
Since the 2025 festival, a fully supported paid program for international travelers has been available, giving overseas visitors the chance to experience Yonezawa's samurai culture up close. The program is backed by English-speaking staff and on-site guidance, ensuring guests can enjoy every moment of the Battle of Kawanakajima comfortably.
This year, five guests from Europe are expected to attend. Local guides will participate in the battle alongside them, providing attentive support throughout the experience.
Sharing Yonezawa's Samurai Culture with the World
The Yonezawa Uesugi Festival and the Battle of Kawanakajima reenactment are immersive cultural programs with broad appeal for travelers from around the globe. Ongoing efforts include creating multilingual versions of the story behind the Battle of Kawanakajima and expanding international outreach to raise global awareness of this one-of-a-kind event.
