Masakado Festival

Festival highlights

A highlight is the procession of around 100 warriors through the cedar grove at Kokuo Shrine.

Along with warriors in armor and helmets, a children’s procession, young swordsmen, and a princess parade through the pedestrian-only area.

Kanda-bayashi festival music accompanies the parade, which concludes with a dashi float competition at the main stage.

Iwai Masakado Taiko and Kanda Myojin Masakado Taiko also join in to bring the festival to a close.

A festival of warrior parades and local performing arts celebrating the valor of Taira no Masakado

What to expect

The festival begins with a prayer for victory at Kokuo Shrine, followed by the warriors paying their respects.

At the departure ceremony, local junior high school students and others give a demonstration of kyudo (Japanese archery).

After that, a children’s procession, young swordsmen, warriors, a princess, and festival musicians parade through the pedestrian-only area. Toward the end, you can enjoy dashi floats and taiko performances at the main stage.

The program unfolds from prayers and demonstrations to the parade and performances.

How to take part

A notice has been issued seeking participants for the 2026 warrior parade.

If you wish to take part, the main way to do so is to apply to join the warrior parade.

For detailed requirements, including eligibility, deadlines, and attire, please check the recruitment notice for the year the festival is held.

You can enjoy the festival at the shrine, in the pedestrian-only area, and at the main stage.

Recruitment for participants in the 2026 warrior parade has been announced.

Check the recruitment notice for details on how to apply, eligibility, deadlines, and attire and roles for participants.

Source: イベント | 坂東市公式ホームページ

Source: BSテレ東 空から日本を見てみようplus

Location and access

Venue and address

Within the pedestrian-only area of Iwai Shopping Street; Kokuo Shrine (prayer for victory).

Train and bus

There is no train station in Bando City.

Atago Station on the Tobu Noda Line (Urban Park Line) is listed as the nearest station.

By car

From Bando IC on the Ken-O Expressway, it takes about 10 minutes to reach central Bando; turn right at the intersection with Prefectural Route 20 (Yuki-Bando Line).

From Yawara IC on the Joban Expressway, it takes about 25 minutes to reach central Bando via Routes 294 and 354.

Source: よくあるご質問 – 坂東市観光協会

Event venue 茨城県坂東市 岩井商店街歩行者天国区域内

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

Masakado Festival is held on the second Sunday of November each year.

2026年については、第53回の武者行列参加者募集が8月12日に案内されています。

Some event information lists the festival hours as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

The venue spans Kokuo Shrine and the pedestrian-only area of Iwai Shopping Street, so you’ll need to move around depending on where you want to watch the parade or performances.

Pedestrian access may change as the warrior parade and festival music proceed.

The highlights are spread across the prayer at the shrine, the departure ceremony, the parade, and the main stage, so it’s a good idea to decide in advance which parts you’d like to see.

Please check the 2026 information for details about the event date and participant requirements.

Nearby attractions

In Bando City, where the festival is held, there are sites related to Taira no Masakado, including Kokuo Shrine and historic sites.

The Shuroku Tourism and Exchange Center is located in the city center and is introduced as a facility that makes use of a group of buildings from the Meiji era.

The city is also home to Sugo-numa Pond and the Ibaraki Nature Museum, where you can experience nature and local history.

You can explore Bando City’s culture and scenery alongside the Masakado Festival.

Source: 坂東市 – 観光いばらき

Museums and art museumsBando City

ミュージアムパーク茨城県自然博物館

茨城県坂東市にある博物館

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写真：photo: Qurren ( talk ) Taken with Canon PowerShot G9 X / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Temples and shrinesBando City

国王神社

茨城県坂東市にある神社

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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写真：Takobusi / Public domain

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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 Masakado Festival

Masakado Festival began in 1972 (Showa 47) to commemorate the incorporation of the former city of Iwai.

The festival was established to bring to life in the present day the valor of Taira no Masakado, regarded as a local hero.

Bando City is described as the place where Masakado established his base, and the festival’s warrior parade sets off from Kokuo Shrine.

Today, the festival features kyudo demonstrations and local performing arts as well as a warrior parade.

Source: 将門まつり - Wikipedia

Official information

The “Masakado Festival” page on the official Bando City website provides information about the festival’s origins, parade, demonstrations, taiko drumming, and dashi competition.

For the 53rd festival in 2026, recruitment for participants in the warrior parade is announced in the events section of the official Bando City website.

Check Bando City’s official information for the latest details about the event date and participant requirements.

Masakado Festival at a Glance

Masakado Festival is an autumn festival in Bando City, associated with Taira no Masakado, centered on a warrior parade and local performing arts.

It begins with a prayer for victory at Kokuo Shrine, followed by a kyudo demonstration, a parade including children and young swordsmen, and performances of Kanda-bayashi festival music and taiko.

Recruitment for participants in the 53rd warrior parade in 2026 has been announced.

開催日は例年11月第2日曜日です。