Yamagata Hanagasa Dance Festival

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, which is a friendly yet deeply rooted traditional event focused on celebrating local culture and welcoming the summer season in Tohoku.

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 the subtle differences in style: 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.