Name: Date Musha Festival
Start: 2026-07-31
End: 2026-08-01
Location: Special venue at Date Rekishi no Mori Culture Center, and other locations

A summer festival in Date where warriors in armor and mounted troops make their way through the streets, while floats decorated with samurai artwork light up the night. Through processions and demonstrations rooted in the history of regional development, as well as dancing and food stalls, visitors can experience local traditions up close.

About Date Musha Festival

The Date Musha Festival is a community-participation summer festival that carries on the pioneering spirit and samurai traditions of Date, Hokkaido.

Drawing on the region’s history of mass samurai migration, the festival stages a historical pageant featuring warriors in armor and mounted troops.

The samurai procession and samurai dashi floats moving through the city, along with dancing and stalls, offer a glimpse into Date’s history and culture.

Source: 伊達武者まつり｜イベント｜【公式】北海道の観光・旅行情報サイト HOKKAIDO LOVE! / 伊達武者まつり - 伊達武者まつり実行委員会（北海道伊達市）

Festival highlights

The main highlight is a procession of warriors in armor and mounted troops making their way through the city.

In addition to mounted warriors marching with their banners raised, the archery unit performs demonstrations such as shooting kaburaya arrows and breaking boards.

At night, dashi floats decorated with samurai artwork make their way through the city, bringing the festival to life with dancing and spirited shouts.

Source: スペシャル企画 - 伊達武者まつり実行委員会（北海道伊達市）

A historical pageant in Date, brought to life by armor and dashi floats

What to expect

The festival features a pre-festival stage program, food and shopping stalls, the main festival’s festival plaza, traditional performing arts, and mounted warrior demonstrations.

On the night of the main festival, a launch ceremony for the samurai dashi floats takes place in front of Date-Mombetsu Station, followed by a parade through the city.

You can spend your time watching the procession from the roadside or enjoying the music, dancing, and food at the venue.

Source: 第50回伊達武者まつり会場案内・タイムスケジュール - 伊達武者まつり実行委員会（北海道伊達市）

How to take part

The festival is planned and run with community participation, and many participants join the warrior dashi parade.

For the commemorative 2026 edition, a warrior dashi parade with around 500 participants is planned.

General visitors can watch events at the venue and the procession along the route.

Location and access

Venue and address

Special event venue at Date Rekishi no Mori Culture Center and other locations.

The address is 34-1 Matsugaecho, Date, Hokkaido.

By car

About 5 minutes from the Date IC on the Hokkaido Expressway.

Parking

150 spaces; free of charge.

There is no dedicated parking near the 2026 Warrior Dashi Parade route. Parking on the street or without permission at commercial facilities and other locations is prohibited.

Address 34-1 Matsugaecho, Date, Hokkaido

Open in Google Maps

Travel by taxi PRFind a taxi or private transfer for your journey.Find a taxi on Kiwitaxi Long-distance buses are another option PRFind routes and fares from your departure point to your destination.Find highway buses on Rakuten Travel

Dates and season

2026 event information (the dates listed have passed)

The 2026 event was announced as scheduled for July 31 (Friday) through August 1 (Saturday).

The pre-festival runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 31, and the main festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on August 1.

On August 1, mounted warriors and the festival plaza are featured during the day, followed by a samurai dashi float parade at night.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Hokkaido / Date City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

Supported by Rakuten Developers

Tips for your visit

The 2026 Warrior Dashi Parade will take place at night. Vehicle traffic restrictions and some bus route changes are planned in the surrounding area.

There is no dedicated parking near the parade route, and parking on the street or without permission at commercial facilities is not allowed.

Smoking is prohibited at the venue, and drones may not be used.

If you bring a pet, please use the designated pet zone.

Nearby attractions

Nearby attractions introduced include the swordsmith workshop at the hands-on learning center of the Date City Historical Museum, Date Onsen, Showa Shinzan Bear Ranch, and the Usuzan Ropeway.

Nearby facilities also include roadside stations such as Date Rekishi no Mori and Sobetsu Information Center i.

If you plan to visit nearby attractions during the festival, check each facility’s latest opening information.

Origins and History of Date Musha Festival

The origins of the samurai procession date back to Meiji 18.

Former samurai who had helped pioneer Hokkaido missed their homeland and the sight of themselves in armor. They petitioned to hold a samurai procession as an opportunity to regain the strength to continue developing the region.

After receiving permission, it became an annual event at Kashima Shrine. It later shifted from the flower festival on April 8 and the event on September 15 to coincide with the Date Musha Festival held in August today.

Source: 武者行列（むしゃぎょうれつ） | 伊達市こどもむけホームページだてキッズ

Official information

The official website of the Date Musha Festival Executive Committee provides information about the event, venue, and schedule.

The page also includes a link to official information on the Date City Hall website.

Official information has been announced for the 50th Date Musha Festival in 2026, including the pre-festival, main festival, venue, and program.