A stirring pageant of an army gathering in the streets of Kofu to set out for battle
Shingen-ko Festival
The 2026 edition of Shingen-ko Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/04/03 〜 2026/04/05Ended
- Season / frequency
- Early April each year / Every year
- Location
- Maizuru Castle Park, Heiwa-dori, and other locations
- Area
- Yamanashi Prefecture・Kofu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · limited express)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
- A free viewing area is available. Paid viewing seats cost 4,000–60,000 yen.
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Shingen-ko Festival brings to life in modern times a Sengoku-period pageant associated with Takeda Shingen, set in the streets of Kofu. Centered on the Koshu Army Departure, which brings together more than 1,000 warriors, the festival offers history and local events to enjoy.
About Shingen-ko Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 江戸村のとくぞう File:Shingen-ko Festival 201904a.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 江戸村のとくぞう File:Shingen-ko Festival 201904f1.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 江戸村のとくぞう File:Shingen-ko Festival 201904c2.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Shingen-ko Festival is a city festival held in Kofu to honor the legacy of Takeda Shingen.
The festival’s centerpiece, the “Koshu Army Departure,” recreates the army setting out for Kawanakajima under Takeda Shingen, with warriors from the Sengoku period gathering from across the prefecture to parade through Kofu.
Set in locations such as Maizuru Castle Park and Heiwa-dori, the festival combines historical pageantry with modern events.
In addition to the army procession, the festival features parades, cultural performances, sports, and food-related events.
Source: 「第52回信玄公祭り」を120％楽しむ！知っておきたい豆知識／富士の国やまなし観光ネット 山梨県公式観光情報 / 【公式】信玄公祭り～世界最大の武者行列～
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the “Koshu Army Departure,” where an army modeled on Takeda Shingen’s Twenty-Four Generals gathers.
Warriors clad in red armor and carrying “Furinkazan” flags march through Kofu alongside mounted troops.
The departure and return ceremonies are held at Maizuru Castle Park, and visitors can watch a large-scale warrior procession on Heiwa-dori.
In 2026, a crystal , ninja performances, swordsmanship experiences, and a stamp rally were also announced.
Source: 観覧について／【公式】信玄公祭り～世界最大の武者行列～
A stirring pageant of an army gathering in the streets of Kofu to set out for battle
What to expect
The festival spans several days, with an opening-eve celebration on the first day, the Koshu army’s departure on the middle day, and events in the castle town taking center stage on the final day.
The army gathers at Maizuru Castle Park, proceeds to Heiwa-dori and other locations after the departure ceremony, and concludes with a return ceremony.
At the venue, you can also enjoy parades, mikoshi, cultural performances, sports, and food-related events.
In 2026, hands-on events that children and adults alike could take part in were also announced.
Source: 信玄公祭り｜イベント｜【公式】甲府観光ナビ -甲府市観光協会-
How to take part
There are opportunities for the general public to participate.
The official website invites people to join the Koshu Corps’ Departure and the parade, offering ways to take part in festival processions and activities rather than just watch.
Information for 2026 said that adults and children could take part in the Sports Fest, and ninja performances and swordsmanship experiences were also held.
Recruitment slots and eligible activities vary, so if you would like to take part, please check the information for each activity.
How to participate varies by activity.
Information is available on joining the Koshu Corps’ Departure and the parade; you can check the details under “Participant Recruitment” on the official website.
For viewing, paid seats were sold for the 2026 Koshu Corps’ Departure and could be purchased online, by phone, or at convenience stores.
For experience activities and participant recruitment, please follow the information for each activity regarding application periods, eligibility, and capacity.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Maizuru Castle Park, Heiwa-dori, and other locations (including 1-chome Marunouchi, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture).
In 2026, the Koshu Corps’ Departure was held mainly at Maizuru Castle Park and along Heiwa-dori.
- Train and bus
The nearest station is Kofu Station.
Direct bus service information is available for buses from the Kofu Station North Exit rotary, the Marunouchi 3-chome stop, and the Kofu District Court stop.
- Parking
Parking is available at Hokuto Junior High School, the JA Yamanashi Koseiren parking lot, and the west annex of Kofu City Hall.
Source: 信玄公祭り - Wikipedia
Address 1-chome Marunouchi, Kofu, Yamanashi (Maizuru Castle Park)
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (the listed dates have passed)
According to the 2026 event information, the Shingen-ko Festival was scheduled to run for 3 days, from April 3 (Friday) through the 5th (Sunday).
The Koshu Army Departure, the festival’s centerpiece, was scheduled for April 4 (Saturday).
The opening-eve celebration, various events, the departure ceremony, the warrior procession, and the return ceremony are scheduled during the festival.
It is usually held around April 12, the anniversary of Takeda Shingen’s death.
Source: 【第52回信玄公祭り】開催日は2026年4月3日(金)～5日(日)に決定しました！／【公式】信玄公祭り～世界最大の武者行列～
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 Yamanashi Prefecture / Kofu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
For the 2026 paid viewing seats, umbrellas could not be used in rainy weather, so visitors were advised to bring rainwear such as a raincoat.
It may get chilly depending on the weather, so bringing warm clothing is also a good idea.
In the free viewing area, please watch from the designated spots. Please refrain from standing or sitting to watch on the sidewalks, or setting up sheets, chairs, or tripods.
Bringing or flying drones and other small unmanned aircraft is also prohibited at and around the venue.
Nearby attractions
Maizuru Castle Park (the site of Kofu Castle) and Takeda Shrine are introduced as nearby attractions to visit alongside the festival.
Maizuru Castle Park is where the departure and return ceremonies are held, and remnants such as the stone walls of Kofu Castle can still be seen there.
Takeda Shrine stands on the site of Tsutsujigasaki Mansion, Takeda Shingen’s former stronghold; its moat, historic site park, and the old well known as “Hime no Ido” are highlighted.
Both are nearby spots where you can explore the festival’s history.
山梨県立文学館
山梨県甲府市の芸術の森公園にある文学館
山梨県立科学館
山梨県甲府市にある県立の科学館
写真：さかおり ( talk ) 03:32, 5 March 2010 (UTC) / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
山梨県立美術館
山梨県甲府市の芸術の森公園にある美術館
Origins and History of Shingen-ko Festival
The predecessor of today’s Shingen-ko Festival was a cherry blossom festival held at Maizuru Castle Park starting in 1947.
In 1966, the cherry blossom festival was transformed into the “Kofu Shingen Festival,” featuring folk songs, dancing, kendo tournaments, and other events.
It later shifted to a format centered on a mounted procession of Takeda Shingen’s Twenty-Four Generals, and in 1970 the current name and “Koshu Army Departure” became established.
Since the 1990s, actors and period processions featuring mainly women have been added, helping the festival develop into the spectacular event it is today.
Official information
Official information is available on the official website operated by the Shingen-ko Festival Executive Committee.
The website lists the event dates, departure schedule, event schedule, participating groups, viewing information, and calls for participants.
The 2026 event information also gave the executive committee office’s contact number: 055-231-2722.
Shingen-ko Festival at a Glance
The Shingen-ko Festival is a history-rich event that recreates the departure of the Takeda army in the streets of Kofu.
The festival centers on the departure and return ceremonies at Maizuru Castle Park and the large-scale warrior procession along Heiwa-dori.
In 2026, the festival was scheduled to run from April 3 through the 5th, with free viewing zones and reserved paid seating available.
With calls for participants and hands-on events, you can enjoy taking part in festival activities, not just watching the procession.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
