Yamagata Hanagasa Dance Festival

PLACE
Yamagata,
Japan
DATE
05 Aug, '26
07 Aug, '26
TYPE
Dance,
Parade,
Traditional
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Location:
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Timing:
Afternoon
Evening
Entry Fees:
Unknown Status
Booking:
General Rules:
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Date Proof:
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Last update:
11 Oct, '25
General Rules:
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Intro

The Yamagata Hanagasa Dance Festival is a major annual summer gathering held in Yamagata City, celebrated for its spectacular display of synchronized traditional dance. The name Hanagasa refers to the iconic straw hats adorned with bright artificial safflowers—Yamagata Prefecture's official flower. Usually, over 10,000 dancers participate in the parade, a friendly yet deeply rooted traditional event that celebrates local culture and welcomes the summer season in Tohoku.

Google Maps location of the main event activities can be found here.

Event Highlights

The festival's greatest attraction is the enormous scale of the synchronized street parade, where groups follow diverse choreography behind ornate floats. While most dances are performed to the classic Hanagasa Ondo folk song, the experience is enhanced by subtle stylistic differences: some groups emphasize a dramatic, powerful shout, while others feature graceful, flowing movements. Visitors can often join the parade late in the evening for a casual round of dancing, making it a memorable and easy way to experience the festival firsthand.