Each Golden Week, the banks of the Iruma River in Sayama City, Saitama, host two community events that draw thousands of visitors: the Yoshitaka Koinobori display and the Yoshitaka Walk. Both pay tribute to Minamoto no Yoshitaka — also known as Shimizu Kanja Yoshitaka — an 11-year-old warrior (12 by traditional Japanese counting) who was killed near the Iruma River during the late Heian period. His story has long been compared to that of Romeo and Juliet.
The Story of Minamoto no Yoshitaka
Yoshitaka was the eldest son of Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso Yoshinaka). Shortly after his coming-of-age ceremony, he was sent to Kamakura as a hostage, where he became the betrothed of Ohime, the eldest daughter of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hojo Masako. The two spent about a year together in Kamakura.
When Yoshitaka's father Yoshinaka was defeated and killed by Yoritomo, everything changed. Yoritomo, fearing that Yoshitaka might seek revenge, quietly ordered the boy's assassination. Ohime learned of the plan and helped Yoshitaka escape in disguise — reportedly dressing him in women's clothing. Despite every precaution, Yoshitaka was caught by Yoritomo's pursuers at what is now the Iruma River area in Sayama City, and killed.
Ohime was devastated. She never married, remained devoted to Yoshitaka's memory, and died at just 20 years old.
In Sayama City, two sites are linked to this legend. Shimizu Hachimangu Shrine, along the Iruma River, is said to enshrine Yoshitaka's remains. The Kagekakushi Jizo (Shadow-Hiding Jizo), housed at a nearby hall, marks the spot where Yoshitaka is believed to have hidden from his pursuers. Both sites have been cared for by local residents across generations.
As Sayama City grew from around 30,000 to 150,000 residents during Japan's postwar economic boom, the story of Yoshitaka gradually faded from wider awareness, surviving mainly as a quiet local tradition. A renewed wave of interest came in 2022, when the NHK taiga drama Kamakura-dono no 13-nin depicted Yoshitaka and Ohime's story. After the episode portraying Yoshitaka's death aired, many viewers made their way to Shimizu Hachimangu Shrine to pay their respects in person.
Two Annual Events Born from the Community
In 2014, local volunteers formed an executive committee to keep Yoshitaka's memory alive — and to use his story as a reminder of children's rights and what it means when a young life is caught up in the conflicts of adults. Ten years on, the two events they launched have grown into beloved Golden Week traditions in the city.
Event 1: Yoshitaka Koinobori (Organized by the Minamoto no Yoshitaka Koinobori Association)
Koinobori — the carp streamers traditionally displayed for Children's Day — are the symbol of this event. The organizers saw a fitting connection between the custom of wishing for children's healthy growth and the memory of Yoshitaka, who died in childhood as a pawn of political ambition. Around 100 koinobori, donated by local residents who no longer need them, are strung above the Iruma River and swim through the spring sky.
The event drew approximately 35,000 visitors in 2025. It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, but has otherwise run every year since its founding.
Dates: May 3 (Sunday, national holiday) to May 6 (Wednesday, substitute holiday), 2026
Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Opening Ceremony: May 3, approx. 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Venue: Iruma River Nikoniko Terrace (Kasen-jiki Chuo Koen)
- 15 min. walk from the west exit of Sayama-shi Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)
- Also accessible by Seibu Bus from platform 1 (alight at Shichiku Jichikai-kan) or platform 2 (alight at Shinfujimibyashi, 3 min. walk)
Admission: Free
Supported by: Cabinet Office for Children and Families, Saitama Prefecture, Sayama City, Sayama City Board of Education, Iruma City Board of Education, Tokorozawa Board of Education
Event 2: 10th Yoshitaka Walk (Organized by the Yoshitaka Walk Executive Committee)
The Yoshitaka Walk follows the route Yoshitaka was heading along when he was captured — from the Iruma River toward Okurana-kan (now Okurana Shrine in Ranzan Town), the birthplace of his father Yoshinaka. Participants walk approximately 24 km from Sayama-shi Station to Okurana Shrine, retracing a journey that ended in tragedy over 800 years ago.
About 170 participants joined in 2025. The walk is open to participants from across Japan.
Date: May 4, 2026 (Monday, national holiday)
Departure: 8:30–9:20 AM (registration opens 7:20 AM)
Starting Point: Sayama-shi Station West Exit Plaza
Participation Fee: ¥1,000 (free for middle school students and under)
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjNtHlE-3T2kgGGE5i915wfXkaO91Fmuu-Lhgz90VREUMXmA/viewform
Supported by: Sayama City, Sayama City Board of Education, Sayama City Tourism Association
Sponsored by: Iruma River Sogo Chinju Hachimangu Shrine, local businesses, NPO Sayama Kankyo Shimin Network
Cooperation: Sayama History Club
Special Event: Pre-Walk Performance — The Story of Kiso Yoshinaka and Yoshitaka (10th Anniversary Commemoration)
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Yoshitaka Walk, a special performance will be held the day before the walk. Multiple artistic traditions — biwa recitation, kodan storytelling, an academic lecture, and dramatic reading — come together to explore Yoshitaka's story.
Program:
- Biwa recitation (Keiko Yokota): passages from The Tale of the Heike, including "Gion Shoja" and "Shimizu Kanja"
- Kodan storytelling (Treasuri Kotsurudai, 5th generation): "Yoshinaka's Benefactor Saito Sanemori" and the battles of Okurana and Shinohara
- Academic lecture (Associate Professor Yoshitomo Nagamura, University of Toyama): social context and historical commentary on the late Heian period
- Dramatic reading (Yoko Kitagawa): "Kagekakushi Jizo-sama"
Date: May 3, 2026 (Sunday, national holiday)
Hours: 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM (doors open at 1:00 PM)
Tickets: Advance ¥2,000 (available at Sayama City Hall 1F Welfare Shop "Amie"; remote purchase request form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeO3QpNoBZ8l-_RCKLNUNYMwrXupEjLUBe1QR_HjXzTNhvFsA/viewform); Day-of ¥2,200 (subject to seat availability)
Yoshitaka in NHK Taiga Dramas
The story of Yoshitaka and Ohime has been depicted in three NHK taiga dramas over the decades:
- 2022 – Kamakura-dono no 13-nin: Yoshitaka played by Ichikawa Somegorō; Ohime by Minami Sara
- 2005 – Yoshitsune: Yoshitaka played by Tomioka Ryo; Ohime by Noguchi Mao
- 1979 – Kusa Moeru: Yoshitaka played by Hasegawa Yuji; Ohime by Ikegami Kimiko
For more information on the events and local sites related to Yoshitaka, the Sayama City website offers additional details: https://www.city.sayama.saitama.jp/shisei/citypromotion/tanoshimu/minamotoyoshitaka.html
