Three days of prayers and excitement, with hikiyama floats and music echoing through the streets of Kakunodate
Kakunodate Festival Yama Event
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year, September 7–9 / Every year
- Area
- Akita Prefecture・Senboku City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 40 min–4 h 10 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This traditional event unfolds along the streets of Kakunodate, with floats carrying warrior and kabuki dolls. Oyama-bayashi music, hand dances, and yama-buttuke bring the festival to life.
About Kakunodate Festival Yama Event
The Kakunodate Festival Yama Event is a traditional event in Kakunodate, held in conjunction with the festivals of Kakunodate’s chief guardian shrine, Shinmeisha Shrine, and Shorakuzan Jojuin Yakushido Hall.
Hikiyama floats decorated with warrior and kabuki dolls parade through the area from each neighborhood.
It is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as one of the “Yama, Hoko, Float Festivals.”
The festival has been passed down as a celebration praying for the prosperity of the community and businesses, and for the good health of families.
Festival highlights
A highlight is seeing the large hikiyama floats, carrying warrior and kabuki dolls, make their way through the streets of Kakunodate.
The floats are accompanied by Oyama-bayashi music performed on flutes, drums, hand drums, surigane gongs, and shamisen, while Akita Obako performers present hand dances.
Toward the end of the festival, hikiyama floats face off over the right of way in a contest called “yama-buttuke,” building excitement among the float pullers and musicians.
Three days of prayers and excitement, with hikiyama floats and music echoing through the streets of Kakunodate
What to expect
During the festival, young people from each neighborhood pull hikiyama floats through the area, making their way to pay respects at Shinmeisha Shrine and Yakushido Hall, and to present themselves before the head of the Satake Hokke family, among other objectives.
On the 7th, events center on Shinmeisha Shrine; on the 8th, they include passing along Samurai Residence Street, a procession before the Satake Hokke family head, and Yakushido Hall; on the 9th, events related to Yakushido Hall are central.
During the festival, music and hand dances are performed alongside the hikiyama floats. If negotiations between floats break down after they have completed their procession objectives, events can escalate into a yama-buttuke.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Kakunodate, Semboku City.
The hikiyama parade through Kakunodate’s historic streets.
- Train and bus
A short walk from Kakunodate Station on the JR Akita Shinkansen.
During the festival, traffic restrictions or route changes may be in effect around the city.
- By car
Traffic restrictions are in effect around town, so if you visit by car, take care around restricted areas.
Source: 角館祭りのやま行事（角館のお祭り） | ブンカＤＥゲンキチャンネル | ブンカDEゲンキ あきた文化情報サイト
Event venue 秋田県仙北市 仙北市角館町内
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
- Season
Every year, September 7–9
- Frequency
Every year
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 Akita Prefecture / Senboku City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the hikiyama parade through town, watch from a spot that does not obstruct their progress and follow guidance from those around you.
Traffic restrictions are in effect around town during the festival, and public transport routes and stops may change.
Since the times and locations of certain events, such as the yama-buttuke, may be set, it is best to check the day’s guidance before heading out.
Nearby attractions
The Kakunodate area, where the festival takes place, has attractions including samurai residences, the streets of Kakunodate, Somei Yoshino cherry trees along the Hinokinai River embankment, Kakunodate’s weeping cherry trees, and the ruins of Furushiroyama Castle.
Visitors interested in traditional crafts can also visit the Kabazaiku Denshokan, while those interested in literature can visit the Shinchosha Memorial Literature Museum.
Pair the festival with the streets and cultural facilities in the same Kakunodate area to experience the region’s history and way of life.
Source: 角館エリア 観光情報 | 仙北市
仙北市立角館樺細工伝承館
秋田県仙北市の観光施設
写真：Wiiii / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
仙北市立角館町平福記念美術館
秋田県仙北市にある公立美術館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
大村美術館
秋田県仙北市角館町にあるガラス工芸の美術館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
新潮社記念文学館
日本の秋田県仙北市にある文学館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
田沢湖クニマス未来館
秋田県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Kakunodate Festival Yama Event
The Kakunodate Festival Yama Event is said to have begun around 400 years ago.
The festivals of Shinmeisha Shrine and Yakushido Hall came together and have been passed down as the event held today.
The tradition of parading hikiyama floats through streets dating back to the Edo period has continued, and the event is now designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
Official information
The Senboku City official website’s “Kakunodate Festival: Tourist Information” provides an overview of the event, highlights, venue, dates, and contact information.
For the 2027 event dates and transportation information on the day, please check the Senboku City event information and announcements from the Kakunodate Festival Yama Event Executive Committee.
The Senboku City Tourist Information Center “Kakunodate Ekimae Kura” is listed as a contact point, among others.
Kakunodate Festival Yama Event at a Glance
The Kakunodate Festival Yama Event is a traditional event in which hikiyama floats carrying warrior and kabuki dolls parade through Kakunodate, in connection with the festivals of Shinmeisha Shrine and Yakushido Hall.
Highlights include Oyama-bayashi music, Akita Obako hand dances, and yama-buttuke, when hikiyama floats face off.
With a history of around 400 years, the festival has been passed down along with the streets of Kakunodate as a celebration praying for the prosperity of the community and the good health of families.
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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