A festival tracing the story of Yoshitsune and the Fujiwara clan through Hiraizumi in spring and autumn
Fujiwara Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year in May and November / Twice a year
- Area
- Iwate Prefecture・Hiraizumi Town(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 10 min–2 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A festival held at Chusonji and Motsuji in Hiraizumi, featuring Buddhist services and performing arts associated with the Oshu Fujiwara clan, as well as the Lord Yoshitsune Tog下り Procession. Through different events in spring and autumn, visitors can experience the history and culture passed down in Hiraizumi.
About Fujiwara Festival
The Fujiwara Festival is held in spring and autumn in Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture, and is associated with the Oshu Fujiwara clan.
In spring, memorial services, children’s processions, local performing arts, and other events take place at Chusonji and Motsuji.
In autumn, Buddhist services, children’s processions, local performing arts, Noh, and the Ennen no Mai dance are presented amid the fall foliage, offering a chance to experience Hiraizumi’s history and culture.
Source: 藤原まつり - Wikipedia / 岩手県 - 【平泉町】秋の藤原まつり
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the Minamoto no Yoshitsune Tog下り Procession, held on May 3 in spring.
Actors and local people recreate the story of Yoshitsune and his companions reaching Hiraizumi and being welcomed by Fujiwara no Hidehira, with a procession of horses, an ox-drawn carriage, warriors, and ladies-in-waiting.
In autumn, visitors can enjoy performing arts associated with Hiraizumi, including Noh at Chusonji and the Ennen no Mai dance at Motsuji, alongside the fall foliage.
Source: 令和８年「春の藤原まつり」 | 平泉町ホームページ
A festival tracing the story of Yoshitsune and the Fujiwara clan through Hiraizumi in spring and autumn
What to expect
The spring festival features memorial services for the four generations of the Fujiwara clan, a founding-abbot goma fire ritual, children’s processions, local performing arts, and performances of Noh and .
The Tog下り Procession proceeds from Motsuji to Chusonji. Along the way, a scene of Yoshitsune being welcomed is reenacted at Oizumi-ga-ike Pond at Motsuji.
In autumn, Buddhist services and children’s processions are followed by local performing arts on the , Noh and Kyogen, and the Ennen no Mai dance.
Location and access
- Venue and address
In 2026, the spring events will be held in Hiraizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture, and the autumn events at Chusonji and Motsuji in Hiraizumi Town.
- Train and bus
From Hiraizumi Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line, it is about a 20-minute walk to Chusonji and about a 10-minute walk to Motsuji.
On May 3 in spring, free shuttle buses will run from the Hiraizumi Smart IC parking lot to Hiraizumi Junior High School.
- By car
It is about 10 minutes from Hiraizumi-Maezawa IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
On May 3 in spring, traffic restrictions will be in place on surrounding roads, and vehicles passing through Hiraizumi Town are directed to use the National Route 4 bypass.
- Parking
Paid parking lots in town or free temporary parking lots are available.
The autumn venue information lists parking for 784 vehicles.
Source: 秋の藤原まつり(岩手県)の詳細データ｜ウォーカープラス
Event venue 岩手県平泉町 2026年の春は岩手県平泉町内
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
The Fujiwara Festival is held twice a year, in spring and autumn.
In 2026, the spring Fujiwara Festival runs from May 1 to May 5, and the autumn Fujiwara Festival runs from November 1 to November 3.
The Minamoto no Yoshitsune Tog下り Procession is scheduled for May 3 in spring. During the autumn festival, children’s processions, local performing arts, Noh at Chusonji, and the Ennen no Mai dance at Motsuji are planned.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
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 Iwate Prefecture / Hiraizumi Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
On May 3 in spring, traffic restrictions will be in place on surrounding roads from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Minamoto no Yoshitsune Tog下り Procession.
The restricted area will expand especially from 9:50 to 10:30 a.m. and from 2:30 to 3 p.m., and the Chusonji intersection will also be closed to traffic, so allow extra time if traveling by car.
For getting around town, consider using the designated parking lots or shuttle buses.
Nearby attractions
中尊寺讃衡蔵
中尊寺にある博物館
平泉
岩手県南西部にある古くからの地名
写真：_steffen / CC BY-SA 2.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Fujiwara Festival
The Fujiwara Festival continues as a Hiraizumi festival commemorating the Oshu Fujiwara clan.
The spring Tog下り procession reenacts a scene from the Heian period, based on the story of Minamoto no Yoshitsune arriving in Hiraizumi after fleeing his elder brother Minamoto no Yoritomo’s pursuit, and being welcomed by Fujiwara no Hidehira and local people.
Since around 1973, the role of Lord Yoshitsune in the procession has typically been played by a young actor or entertainer.
Official information
The spring 2026 event information is available on the Hiraizumi Town website, and the autumn event information on Iwate Prefecture’s events page.
The organizer is the Hiraizumi Tourism Association, a general incorporated association.
For inquiries, contact the Hiraizumi Tourism Association at 0191-46-2110.
Fujiwara Festival at a Glance
The Fujiwara Festival is a historical and cultural festival held twice a year, in spring and autumn, mainly at Chusonji and Motsuji temples in Hiraizumi Town.
In spring, the highlight is the Tog下り Procession, which reenacts the story of Yoshitsune and Hidehira. In autumn, highlights include Buddhist services amid the fall foliage, local performing arts, Noh, and the Ennen no Mai dance.
In 2026, the spring festival runs from May 1 through the 5th, and the autumn festival runs from November 1 through the 3rd.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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