Latest Events in Yamagata Prefecture(August Updated)

Every year from August 24th to 26th, Shinjo City in Yamagata Prefecture hosts the Shinjo Festival, a festival with a history of over 260 years. On August 24th and 25th, various magnificent floats and processions compete for attention, along with a traditional-style portable shrine procession.Among them, the Shinjo Festival floats have been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, each decorated with different figures, animals, or depictions of Japanese folklore. The elegant dances performed at the Shinjo Castle site, such as the Hagino Shinoko Dance and the Nitayama Shinoko Dance, were like a historical scroll recreating the feudal era. For three magnificent days, the festival music echoed in every corner of the city, and Shinjo's summer reached its climax in the passion and enthusiasm of the festival.

The historic Sakata Fireworks Festival, which began in 1929 to commemorate Sakata Port's designation as an important port, will be held in grand style in 2026. Highlights include the simultaneous launch of three giant two-foot-tall fireworks, each approximately 60 centimeters in diameter; a joint fireworks display by renowned fireworks companies from across Japan; and a spectacular "Niagara Falls" aerial fireworks show spanning approximately 1350 meters across the vast Mogami River. A fireworks school festival, planned by local high school students, will also showcase student-designed fireworks works themed "Sakata's Four Seasons," with approximately 10,000 fireworks illuminating the Sakata night sky.

Imoni is a traditional Tohoku dish of taro and meat stew. Every autumn, imoni is particularly popular in Yamagata Prefecture, where locals gather by the river for imoni parties. The Yamagata Imoni Festival, Japan's largest imoni festival, is held in Yamagata Prefecture every September. During the festival, a giant six-meter-tall imoni pot is filled with imoni, large enough to accommodate 30,000 guests. A special excavator loads three tons of taro into the pot and stirs it evenly, creating a spectacular spectacle in itself!

One of the largest fireworks festivals in the Tohoku region, held in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, the Mogami River is the stage for about 12,000 types of fireworks, including large-scale fireworks, musical fireworks, and character fireworks to the delight of children, coloring the night sky. The fireworks festival is held on the first Saturday of August every year, and the super-wide star mine and large-scale aerial Niagara are the biggest highlights of the festival.

The Yonezawa Warring States Fireworks Festival, Japan's only fireworks festival themed after the Warring States period, will be held at the Yonezawa Municipal Baseball Stadium. The festival, featuring energetic performances and highly entertaining content, allows viewers to experience the true essence of history with all five senses, attracting approximately 18,000 spectators at its inaugural event last year. This year, top pyrotechnicians, some of whom have been awarded the Prime Minister's Award, will return to illuminate the night sky with digital starlight and drones. The fireworks will be combined with dance performances, lights, and music by samurai teams, making them feel like they are part of the story. The festival will also feature the Yonezawa Meat-no-Jin event, where you can enjoy local Yonezawa delicacies, children's activities, and a Montedio Yamagata fan event featuring the local football team. From families to history buffs, this is an event that will delight everyone.

The Zao Juhyo Festival is held in Zao Onsen, southeast of Yamagata City, at the southern foot of the Zao mountain range. Zao Onsen is considered one of Japan's premier ski destinations. From late December to early March, a series of events are held in conjunction with the festival. One famous event is the 1,000-person torch run, where skiers carry torches down the slopes. There are also winter fireworks festivals that light up the slopes and a show of giant snowplows, machines designed to challenge the winter snowfall.

A winter festival held in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, is known as the castle town of the Uesugi clan. Every year on the second Saturday and Sunday of February, approximately 300 snow lanterns and 1000 snow lights are illuminated. The festival's concept is to praise and remember ancestors and their eternal peace. A giant "memorial tower" built of snow is erected in Matsusaki Park, and a memorial service is held for those who died in battle. Another core principle is hospitality. Let's enjoy Yonezawa's culinary delights at the "Tent Village Product Exhibition," where many local and regional specialties are available, such as Yonezawa ramen, beef skewers, and tama konjac.