10 January

Hatsuichi

Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture

A famous market that dates back to the Edo period where people can buy food, furnishings and other items.

15 January

Yaya Festival

Amarumemachi, Yamagata Prefecture

Boys aged 6-14 wearing grass skirts gather at Yawata Shrine to be doused in cold water.  They then parade around the neighborhood before returning to the shrine to pray for good health.

1-2 February

Kurokawa Noh

Kasuga Shrine, Kushibiki, Yamagata Prefecture

Ceremonial parades and seven sacred noh plays are displayed to celebrate the beginning of the new year.

15, 17 February

Kuromori Kabuki

Kuromori, Yamagata Prefecture

This festival dates back over 250 years, and involves local people performing kabuki on an outdoor stage.

19-20 April

Ningen Shogi

Maizuru Park, Tendo, Yamagata Prefecture

High-ranking shogi (Japanese chess) players exhibit their skills using people dressed in full military costume as the game “pieces”.

29 April – 3 May

Uesugi Festival

Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture

A spectacular festival that exhibits musical parades and ceremonies, all culminating in a magnificent reenactment of the famous battle of Kawanakajima.  The reenactment takes place on the final day of the festival, and showcases flintlock guns as well as thousands of local people dressed in samurai armor. 

25 May

Bakemono Festival (Tenjin Festival)

Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture

Townspeople wear traditional costumes and hats covering their faces and walk around downtown giving sake to spectators.  People believe that participating for three consecutive years without being recognized will make your wishes come true.

5-7 August

Hanagasa Festival

Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture

This is one of the biggest festivals in the Tohoku region, and consists of townspeople dancing a traditional dance with hanagasa (straw hats decorated with three flowers) along the main street.

14-17 September

Yachi Donga Festival

Hachiman-gu Shrine, Yachi, Yamagata Prefecture

This festivals features displays of the oldest form of Japanese dance.

15 November

Shichi-Go-San Festival

Nationwide

Children age three, five and seven years are dressed in kimono and taken to shrines to pray for their future health and good fortune.

31 December – 1 January

Hagurosan Shoureisai

Mt Haguro, Yamagata Prefecture

Two giant chiggers are set on fire and pulled around with ropes.