Genji Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the historical procession, joined by warriors associated with the Genji clan, including Lord Minamoto no Mitsunaka, as well as Tomoe Gozen, Tokiwa Gozen, Shizuka Gozen, young warriors, and children dressed as court pages.

In 2026, the procession set off from Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park, passed the east exit of Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station, and returned to the park.

The venue also hosted stage events, music and dance performances, demonstrations of Shintō Musō-ryū jōjutsu, chanbara swordplay, candy throwing, food trucks, and merchandise sales.

Source: 令和8年3月27日 市長定例記者会見｜川西市 / 清和源氏の歴史を紡ぐ 絢爛豪華な懐古行列 / 兵庫県川西市 | 川西市のプレスリリース

A dazzling historical procession through Kawanishi, with warriors linked to the Genji clan

What to expect

Events at the venue began at 9:45 a.m. that day, followed by a fanfare and opening address at 10:30 a.m. The historical procession set off at 11 a.m.

The procession proceeded from Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park to the east exit of Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station, then returned to the park around noon.

Before and after the procession, visitors can enjoy stage events, martial arts demonstrations, music, dance, chanbara swordplay, candy throwing, and stalls.

The day before, “Tada Market” and “Genji Festa” were also held around Tada Shrine.

How to take part

General visitors can watch the historical procession, stage events, martial arts demonstrations, and stalls.

Roles in the procession include publicly recruited parts such as Bijomaru, Kojuumaru, Benkei and Ushiwakamaru, boy and girl warriors, and children in ceremonial attire.

Accordingly, information about attending the festival and joining the procession in a specific role is provided separately.

For 2026, the role recruitment information directed applicants to check the number of applicants and eligibility requirements on the application page.

If you want to join the procession, check which roles are open to the public, then confirm the number of applicants and eligibility requirements on the application page.

In the 2026 information, roles open to the public included Bijomaru and Kojuumaru, Benkei and Ushiwakamaru, boy and girl warriors, and children in ceremonial attire.

Follow the recruitment information for each role for application details.

If you only wish to watch, you can view the procession and various events around the venue.

Location and access

Venue and address

Around Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station on the Hankyu and Nosei Electric Railway lines, and Kisera Kawanishi Seseragi Park.

Kisera Kawanishi Seseragi Park is located at 1 Hiuchi, Kawanishi City.

Train and bus

A 15-minute walk from Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line.

At Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station, transfer to the Nosei Electric Railway, get off at Kinu-enobashi Station, and walk about 5 minutes.

By car

Temporary traffic restrictions are in place around the venue.

Please be aware of traffic restrictions if coming by car.

Parking

There is no parking around the venue.

Visitors are advised to use public transportation.

Address 1 Hiuchi, Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture (Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park)

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

In 2026, the festival was held on April 12 (Sunday), from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The historical procession set off from Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park at 11 a.m. and arrived back at the park around noon.

On the day before, April 11 (Saturday), “Tada Market” and “Genji Festa” were held around Tada Shrine.

It is usually held on the 2nd Sunday of April.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The historical procession travels from the park to the area around the station. If you watch along the route, follow its progress and view it from a safe location.

Temporary traffic restrictions are in place around the venue, and there is no parking nearby.

In 2026, the main venues were around Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station on the Hankyu and Nosei Electric Railway lines and Kisera Kawanishi Seseragi Park, so visitors were advised to use public transportation.

The venue for the events on the day before differs from that for the main-day events, so check which day you plan to visit.

Nearby attractions

One nearby historical site with a strong connection to the festival is Tada Shrine.

Tada Shrine is presented as the birthplace of the Seiwa Genji clan and offers a place to explore the festival’s historical background.

Kawanishi City’s tourism guide also introduces a “Seiwa Genji Heritage Route” that visits Manganji Temple, Kodōji Temple, and Raikōji Temple, in addition to Tada Shrine.

In 2026, “Tada Market” and “Genji Festa” were held around Tada Shrine on the day before the festival.

Source: 清和源氏ゆかりのコース｜川西市

Temples and shrinesKawanishi City

多田神社

兵庫県川西市多田院多田所町にある神社

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

Photo and data sources×

写真：Mass Ave 975 at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Genji Festival

The festival began in 1964 and was held for many years in the Tada district to coincide with Tada Shrine’s annual grand festival.

Starting with the 58th festival in fiscal 2021, its name was changed to the “Seiwa Genji Festival,” and the venue was moved to the city center, including Kawanishi City Hall and Aste Kawanishi.

The aim was to raise awareness of Kawanishi as the birthplace of the Seiwa Genji clan and to promote the historical procession more widely inside and outside the city.

Starting in fiscal 2026, a day-before event has also been held in collaboration with the Tada area.

Source: 源氏まつり - Wikipedia / 令和8年4月6日 市長メッセージ「いよいよ清和源氏まつりが開催されます」｜川西市

Official information

Official information is available on Kawanishi City’s “62nd Seiwa Genji Festival” page and the official Seiwa Genji Festival website.

Kawanishi City’s page lists the event date, venue, access information, the route of the historical procession, and the roles open to public applicants.

公式ウェブサイトのURLは 公式ウェブサイトのURL↗ です。

Genji Festival at a Glance

The Genji Festival is a spring festival in Kawanishi City, regarded as the birthplace of the Seiwa Genji clan, where visitors can enjoy a historical procession featuring warriors and the Three Ladies.

In 2026, Kicera Kawanishi Seseragi Park and the area around Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station served as the venue, with a procession, music, dance, martial arts demonstrations, chanbara swordplay, stalls, and other activities.

The festival carries on the history centered around Tada Shrine while sharing the area’s history and culture in the city center.