Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri
MatsuriTohoku(Yamagata)
Annual eventDates
2026-08-05 — 2026-08-07
Venue
Yamagata City Main Street (Tokamachi area)
Admission
Free
Crowd Level
CrowdedYamagata's flower hat dance festival with thousands of dancers.
Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is one of the four great festivals of the Tohoku region. Dancers wearing distinctive flower-decorated straw hats (hanagasa) parade through the main streets of Yamagata City performing synchronized dances. The rhythmic chant of "Yassho, Makasho!" echoes through the streets as over 10,000 dancers create a spectacular flower-filled spectacle.
Highlights
Over 10,000 dancers with flower-decorated straw hats parading through the streets; Synchronized dance performances with the rhythmic "Yassho, Makasho!" chant; Various hanagasa dance styles from traditional to creative
Access
JR Yamagata Station, 10 min walk to the festival area. From Tokyo, take the Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station (about 2 hours 45 min).
Tips for Visitors
The parade runs from 6 PM to 9:30 PM each evening. A spectator participation segment is held at the end of the parade each night. Combine with visiting Yamagata's famous chilled ramen restaurants.