An autumn festival honoring Lord Nobunaga with a samurai procession and events throughout the city
Gifu Nobunaga Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/11/07 〜 2026/11/08Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- The first Saturday and following Sunday of November every year / Every year
- Location
- Across central Gifu City (Kogane Park, the plaza in front of the north exit of JR Gifu Station, Yanagase, Kanamachi, and other locations)
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Gifu City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Age restrictions
- Age restrictions vary by activity. The matchlock gun and archery experiences are for elementary school students and younger; the armor dressing experience is aimed at elementary school-aged children.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This autumn festival takes place in central Gifu City, associated with Lord Oda Nobunaga, and features a samurai procession, stage performances, and hands-on activities for children. In 2026, it will be held on November 7 and the 8th.
About Gifu Nobunaga Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: gundam2345 File:ぎふ信長まつり.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 gundam2345 https://www.panoramio.com/photo/40665355Display size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Gifu Nobunaga Festival is an autumn festival honoring Lord Oda Nobunaga for his contributions to the development of Gifu.
Since 2022, the festival has been held jointly with the Gifu City Agriculture Festival under the name “Gifu City Industrial and Agriculture Festival—Gifu Nobunaga Festival.”
A variety of events are held throughout the city, including a samurai procession, with activities at the station plaza, parks, and other venues.
Source: 岐阜市産業・農業祭～ぎふ信長まつり～｜イベント｜岐阜市観光ナビ - 岐阜観光コンベンション協会 / ぎふ信長まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the “Lord Nobunaga Horseback Samurai Procession,” featuring samurai from the Warring States period.
In addition to the procession featuring roles such as Lord Nobunaga, marching bands and Gifu City’s PR team also take part in the parade.
There are different ways to enjoy each venue, from events at Kin Park and stage performances at the plaza outside the north exit of JR Gifu Station to matchlock gun and archery experiences and samurai armor try-ons for children.
Source: 「信長公騎馬武者行列」出発式の観覧者を募集します – 岐阜まつり協賛 道三まつり｜ぎふ信長まつり［公式サイト 岐阜のまつり］
An autumn festival honoring Lord Nobunaga with a samurai procession and events throughout the city
What to expect
The festival unfolds across multiple venues in central Gifu City. Visitors can enjoy a samurai procession, music and dance performances, a memorial ceremony, a flea market, and more.
At Sōfukuji Temple, associated with Lord Oda Nobunaga, a memorial ceremony for him is held. The plaza outside the north exit of JR Gifu Station hosts the Ekimae Rakuichi market and stage performances.
Activities for children include matchlock gun and archery experiences, as well as trying on samurai armor.
How to take part
The festival takes place throughout the central city area and can be enjoyed mainly as a spectator.
Visitors can participate in some activities, such as a dance stage involving local residents, children’s matchlock and archery experiences, and an armor dressing experience.
Some activities have age requirements, such as being for elementary school students and younger, so please check the conditions for any event you would like to take part in.
In 2026, a variety of ways to participate will be available at each venue.
At Kogane Park, you can try matchlock guns and archery or take part in an armor dressing experience. A dance stage open to public participation will be held at the plaza in front of the north exit of JR Gifu Station.
Some activities require reservations, while others are first-come, first-served or distribute numbered tickets. Check the registration process for each activity you wish to join.
Source: イベント紹介［ぎふ信長まつり］ – 岐阜まつり協賛 道三まつり｜ぎふ信長まつり［公式サイト 岐阜のまつり］
Location and access
- Venue and address
Held across central Gifu City (Kogane Park, the plaza in front of the north exit of JR Gifu Station, Yanagase, Kanamachi, and other locations).
- Train and bus
It is a short walk to about 15 minutes on foot from JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station.
- Parking
There is no parking lot dedicated to the festival.
Please use nearby privately operated parking facilities.
Address Across central Gifu City (Kogane Park, the plaza in front of the north exit of JR Gifu Station, Yanagase, Kanamachi, and other locations)
Dates and season
The 2026 festival dates are November 7 (Saturday) and the 8th (Sunday).
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with activities taking place across various areas of the central city.
Some activities, such as the Lord Nobunaga Horseback Warrior Parade, vary by day in their content or venue, so it’s a good idea to check the date and time of the event you want to see before you visit.
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 Gifu Prefecture / Gifu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venues span central Gifu City, so deciding in advance which areas or activities you want to see can make it easier to get around.
Some activities are canceled in rain or severe weather, while others go ahead even in rain.
Some activities have limited supplies, are available on a first-come, first-served basis, or require reservations. If you wish to take part, check the registration requirements and start time.
Nearby attractions
三甲美術館
岐阜県岐阜市にある美術館
加藤栄三・東一記念美術館
岐阜県岐阜市にある美術館
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
名和昆虫博物館
岐阜県岐阜市にある博物館
奥の細道むすびの地記念館
日本の岐阜県大垣市にある記念館
岐阜公園
岐阜市の公園
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
岐阜市歴史博物館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
岐阜市科学館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
岐阜県美術館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
水の資料館
岐阜県岐阜市にある上水道に関する資料館
金神社
岐阜市にある神社
鵜飼資料園
岐阜県岐阜市にある長良川鵜飼に関する資料館
Origins and History of Gifu Nobunaga Festival
The festival began in 1953 as an event co-hosted by the Gifu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Gifu Times to mark 400 years since Oda Nobunaga entered Inabayama Castle.
After the Lord Nobunaga Horseback Samurai Procession was held as part of the Inaba Shrine Grand Festival, the “Gifu Festival,” it was separated from the Gifu Festival in 1957 and became an autumn festival called the “Gifu Nobunaga Festival.”
Since 2022, the festival has been held jointly with the Gifu City Agriculture Festival.
Official information
Official information is available on the Gifu Nobunaga Festival website.
The website’s announcements also provide details about the 2026 application to watch the opening ceremony, including the dates and times, venue, and application requirements.
The phone number for the Gifu Nobunaga Festival Executive Committee Secretariat is also listed for inquiries.
Gifu Nobunaga Festival at a Glance
The Gifu Nobunaga Festival is an autumn festival in Gifu honoring Lord Oda Nobunaga.
In 2026, the festival will be held on November 7 and the 8th across central Gifu City, including Kin Park, the plaza outside the north exit of JR Gifu Station, and Yanagase.
Events include a samurai procession, a memorial ceremony, stage performances, and hands-on activities for children.
There is no parking reserved for the festival near the venues, so walking from a train station is convenient.
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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