Shonai Grand Festival

About this event

The 'Shonai Grand Festival' in Tsuruoka City will be held over two days on Sunday, October 4, and Tuesday, October 6, 2026. On October 4, the Senbure Matsuri (herald festival) will take place along the approach to Shonai Shrine as an expanded version of Tsuruoka's morning market 'Tsuruichi,' featuring sales of local agricultural produce and street stalls. There is no procession on this day. The main event, Honmatsuri, will be held on October 6, featuring the 'Shonai Domain Traditional Daimyo Procession' that reenacts the sankin-kotai (alternate attendance) of the Shonai Domain as it marches through the city center. Approximately 400 citizens dressed as samurai and princesses will march the roughly 2-kilometer route from the Tsurugaoka Castle Ruins (present-day Tsuruoka Park) to Shonai Shrine. The procession departs from Tsuruoka Park North Plaza at 15:00, passing in front of the Chido Museum, City Hall, and other landmarks. In front of City Hall, a 'Grand Presentation' (So-omirome) performance is scheduled, featuring fure-daiko (herald drums), battle cries of the armored warrior troop, matchlock firearms of the gunnery squad, and the yakko-buri dances of the three roles. Following the procession, the sound and light festival 'Yoon-sai' will take place at Tsuruoka Park North Plaza from 17:30, featuring stage events, food trucks, and street stalls. As Shonai's largest music event connecting history and music, a variety of performances will unfold amid sound and lighting effects. The Shonai Grand Festival originated in the 10th year of Meiji (1877), started by local citizens to celebrate the founding of Shonai Shrine and pass down the Edo-period sankin-kotai to future generations. The role of the domain lord in the procession is selected from 28-year-old men living in or from Shonai. Traffic restrictions will be in effect around Tsuruoka Park on the day, so using public transportation and allowing plenty of time are recommended.

Venue

Shonai Shrine

4-1 Babacho, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0035