Yamagata Hanagasa Festival

About this Attraction

The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival, held annually from August 5th to 7th in Yamagata City, is one of the most vibrant and beloved summer festivals in the Tohoku region of Japan. Renowned for its mesmerising parade of dancers wielding flower-adorned straw hats (hanagasa), the event celebrates local culture, community spirit, and the region’s rich agricultural traditions. The name "hanagasa" translates to "flower hat," and these iconic red-and-yellow hats are the festival's centrepiece, symbolising the safflower, a traditional crop of Yamagata.

The heart of the festival is the grand procession along Honcho Street, where thousands of dancers—ranging from school groups and local businesses to professional troupes—move in unison to the beat of taiko drums and the hypnotic rhythm of the folk song “Hanagasa Ondo.” The dancers sway gracefully, lifting and spinning their hanagasa hats in choreographed motions that evoke the blossoming of flowers and the cycles of nature. The sight of the lantern-lit streets and the harmonious dance of dancers creates an unforgettable atmosphere, drawing over a million spectators annually.

Originating in the early 20th century as a part of local tourism promotion efforts, the Hanagasa Festival has evolved into a significant cultural event that showcases Yamagata’s identity and hospitality. In addition to the parade, the festival features food stalls offering local delicacies, stage performances, and hanagasa-making workshops. Tourists are even invited to join in the dancing on certain days, enhancing the interactive and inclusive spirit of the celebration. As one of Japan’s most iconic summer festivals, the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival not only enlivens the streets of Yamagata with colour and rhythm but also serves as a proud expression of tradition and unity for locals and visitors alike.