Maizuru Hosokawa Yusai Tanabe Castle Festival

Festival highlights

One highlight is the program, based on historical events and presented in five chapters.

It unfolds in sequence: a siege reenactment and a mikoshi carrying rice offerings in front of the castle gate; a short play at Ayame Pond based on “Kokin Denju”; and a grand procession through the castle town.

Children’s mikoshi, young samurai, armored samurai, neighborhood taiko groups, and others take part, bringing historical scenes to life through the efforts of local people.

Source: 第35回まいづる細川幽斎田辺城まつり｜2026 | ニッポン旅マガジン

A Maizuru festival tracing Tanabe Castle’s history through a samurai procession and the efforts of the local community

What to expect

The festival begins with a scene depicting the siege of Tanabe Castle, followed by a mikoshi carrying rice offerings, based on the story of townspeople donating rice.

A short play then presents a reconciliation scene involving Kokin Denju, followed by a grand procession through the castle town, with samurai and mikoshi traveling from Nishi-Maizuru Station through the shopping street.

It concludes with “Victory Celebration,” depicting the triumphant return after the Battle of Sekigahara.

How to take part

Residents and tourists attend, while local groups and neighborhood associations support the festival with taiko, mikoshi, and performance floats.

After the 2026 event, it was reported that residents and tourists had participated and visited the castle.

Check the event information to find out whether general visitors can take part in the procession or performances.

Source: tanabejoumaturi.sakura.ne.jp

Location and access

Venue and address

Maizuru Park (Tanabe Castle ruins), 15-22 Minami-Tanabe, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Train and bus

A 5-minute walk from Nishi-Maizuru Station on the JR Maizuru Line and the Kitakinki Tango Railway Miyazu Line.

By car

About 5.6 km from the Maizuru-Nishi Interchange on the Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway.

Parking

Municipal Minami-Tanabe Parking Lot.

Address 15-22 Minami-Tanabe, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture

Open in Google Maps

Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

The 35th edition was held on May 24 (Sun) in 2026.

The main venue was Maizuru Park, on the site of Tanabe Castle. The samurai procession traveled from Nishi-Maizuru Station through the shopping street and returned to the castle gate.

It is usually held on the last Sunday of May.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The festival centers on Maizuru Park, with the procession route extending from Nishi-Maizuru Station to the shopping street.

To enjoy the samurai procession, taiko drums, and mikoshi, check not only the area in front of the castle gate but also the route the procession takes.

Traffic restriction information for the day is also available for 2026, so if you are driving, check the restricted areas and parking locations in advance.

Nearby attractions

Maizuru Park is a park developed on the site of Tanabe Castle, where visitors can get a sense of the castle’s history.

The reconstructed castle gate in the park houses the Tanabe Castle Museum, which introduces the successive domain lords, particularly Hosokawa Yusai, and models of the former castle town.

You can explore the history of the castle and castle town that inspired the festival alongside the event.

Origins and History of Maizuru Hosokawa Yusai Tanabe Castle Festival

The festival began in 1992 (Heisei 4), prompted by Maizuru City’s reconstruction of Tanabe Castle’s gate using its Furusato Sosei regional development program.

To convey the history of Hosokawa Yusai and his battles centered on Tanabe Castle, the festival incorporates the siege, Kokin Denju, and a procession through the castle town.

The festival reached its 35th edition in 2026.

Official information

Official information is available on the Maizuru Tanabe Castle Festival Executive Committee website.

The 2026 page publishes materials including the festival statement of purpose, program, rain program, samurai procession route, and traffic restriction information.

The organizing committee office is at 158-1 Enmanji, Maizuru City.

Maizuru Hosokawa Yusai Tanabe Castle Festival at a Glance

The Maizuru Hosokawa Yusai Tanabe Castle Festival is a Maizuru festival that tells the story of the siege of Tanabe Castle and Hosokawa Yusai’s history through theater, mikoshi, taiko drums, and a samurai procession.

The main venues are Maizuru Park and the West District shopping street. The procession travels from Nishi-Maizuru Station to the castle gate.

The 35th edition was held on May 24 in 2026.