A Sengoku-era pageant unfolds on Mount Kasuga, with armored warriors charging forward
Kenshin-ko Festival
The 2026 edition of Kenshin-ko Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/22 〜 2026/08/23Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year, from mid- to late August / Every year
- Location
- The Kasuga district of Joetsu City, including Kasugayama Castle Historic Site Plaza
- Area
- Niigata Prefecture・Joetsu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 40 min–2 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.
- Features
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Admission is charged for some viewing areas. Reserved seating for the reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima costs ¥2,000 per ticket; the total, including postage and the cash-on-delivery fee, is ¥2,603.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A major historical festival in Joetsu City, celebrating the military prowess and legacy of Lord Uesugi Kenshin. Events include a procession of warriors in armor and helmets and a reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima staged amid bonfires.
About Kenshin-ko Festival
The Kenshin-ko Festival is held to celebrate and honor the military prowess and legacy of the celebrated Sengoku-period warlord, Lord Uesugi Kenshin.
Events such as the Buttei-shiki, a departure procession, and a reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima take place in the Kasuga district of Joetsu City.
It began in 1926 and has been passed down in the local community for many years.
Today, it is also known as an event that showcases Joetsu City to a wider audience.
Source: 謙信公祭 - Wikipedia / 第101回謙信公祭｜新潟のイベント｜【公式】新潟県のおすすめ観光・旅行情報！にいがた観光ナビ
Festival highlights
The highlight is the departure procession, in which warriors dressed in armor and helmets make their way around Kasugayama.
In the reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima, the Uesugi and Takeda forces race through the light of bonfires as the battle unfolds.
Blanks from matchlock guns produce loud bangs and clouds of smoke, and mounted warriors also appear.
The event brings a historic battle to life up close through a procession and dramatic staging.
A Sengoku-era pageant unfolds on Mount Kasuga, with armored warriors charging forward
What to expect
Festival events include the Buttei-shiki, a reenactment of a departure-for-battle ceremony; a procession of warriors making their way around Kasugayama; and a reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima.
In 2026, events over 3 days, including the eve-of-festival event, also featured the procession of Lord Kenshin’s , the Tribute Rice Battle, and the Sengoku Play Plaza.
The Grand Folk Dance Parade was also scheduled for the evening, and some events offer opportunities to take part as well as watch.
How to take part
There are opportunities for the general public to participate.
In 2026, applications were invited for general participants, children, and parents and children to take part as warriors in the Departure Procession and the reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima, while groups were accepted for the Grand Folk Dance Parade.
Individuals are advised that they do not need to apply to take part in the Grand Folk Dance Parade.
All application periods have closed before the event, so check the application details for the next festival if you wish to participate.
For the departure procession and the reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima, applications were accepted via an online form or paper application, which could be submitted by post or fax.
To take part in the Grand Folk Dance Parade, fill in the required details on the application form and submit it by post, fax, or email.
The 2026 application periods were June 5 to June 26 for the departure procession and related events, and July 6 to July 24 for the Grand Folk Dance Parade.
Applications for the 2026 events have closed.
Source: 出陣行列・川中島合戦の再現参加申込み | 謙信公祭 | 【公式】上越観光Navi - 歴史と自然に出会うまち、新潟県上越市公式観光情報サイト / 謙信公祭大民踊流し | 謙信公祭 | 【公式】上越観光Navi - 歴史と自然に出会うまち、新潟県上越市公式観光情報サイト
Location and access
- Venue and address
Kasuga district, Joetsu City.
One of the main venues is Kasugayama Castle Historic Site Plaza (334 Oaza Mame, Joetsu City).
- Train and bus
About 5–20 minutes on foot from Kasugayama Station on the Echigo Tokimeki Railway Myoko Haneuma Line.
A circulating shuttle bus operates during the festival, costing ¥100 per ride (free for children under elementary school age).
- By car
Traffic restrictions are in effect around the venue at certain times, and some shuttle bus routes are changed.
- Parking
There is no parking near the venue, so visitors are advised to use public transportation or the circulating shuttle bus operating on the day.
Source: 「川中島合戦の再現」 桟敷席販売 | 謙信公祭 | 【公式】上越観光Navi - 歴史と自然に出会うまち、新潟県上越市公式観光情報サイト
Address 334 Oaza Mamejima, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture (Kasugayama Castle Historic Site Plaza)
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, it was held from August 22 (Saturday) to August 23 (Sunday), with the eve-of-festival event taking place on August 21 (Friday).
The reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima, one of the main highlights, was scheduled for August 22 (Saturday) from 17:50 to 20:00.
The Grand Folk Dance Parade was scheduled for August 23 (Sunday) from 19:00 to 20:45.
The 2026 event dates have passed.
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 Niigata Prefecture / Joetsu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Events may be canceled or changed due to weather and other circumstances.
The reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima goes ahead in the rain, but will be canceled if conditions such as a severe storm compromise spectator safety.
There is no parking near the venue, so visitors are advised to use public transportation or the shuttle bus.
As some shuttle bus routes change during traffic restrictions, allow extra time for travel.
Nearby attractions
Nearby places include Kasugayama Shrine, the ruins of Kasugayama Castle, Rinsenji Temple, and the Joetsu City Center for Buried Cultural Properties.
During the festival, shuttle buses run from Kasugayama Station, stopping at the Center for Buried Cultural Properties, the parking lot below Kasugayama Shrine, Rinsenji Temple, and Kasugayama Castle Historic Site Plaza.
The festival also offers the opportunity to visit places associated with Lord Kenshin and Kasugayama Castle.
Check opening hours and visitor requirements for each facility before your visit.
上越市立水族博物館
新潟県上越市にある水族館
Origins and History of Kenshin-ko Festival
The Kenshin-ko Festival began on September 13, 1926, organized by youth associations in Takada City, Naoetsu Town, and Kasuga Village, as they were known at the time.
The festival has a history as a local event honoring the legacy of Lord Uesugi Kenshin, and local residents once took part in it at the center of its activities.
It began attracting nationwide attention following the 2007 NHK historical drama and grew into a major event showcasing Joetsu City.
In 2026, it marked its 101st edition.
Official information
Official information is available on the Kenshin-ko Festival page of Joetsu Tourism Navi, the official tourism information site of Joetsu City.
You can check the event schedule, details of the activities, participation applications, seating-area ticket sales, and transportation information.
For inquiries, contact the Kenshin-ko Festival Sponsorship Association Secretariat (within the Joetsu City Tourism Promotion Division) at 025-520-5741.
Kenshin-ko Festival at a Glance
The Kenshin-ko Festival is a Joetsu City festival with a history of honoring Lord Uesugi Kenshin.
Highlights include a procession of warriors, a reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima amid bonfires, local dances, and various other events.
In 2026, it was held from August 21 to 23, and applications to take part were also accepted.
There is no parking near the venue, so planning to use Kasugayama Station and the shuttle bus may be a convenient option.
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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