A battle tableau painted by Uesugi forces across springtime Yonezawa
Yonezawa Uesugi Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- April 29〜May 3 / Every year
- Location
- Yonezawa's main streets, Matsugasaki Park, and the Matsukawa riverbed
- Area
- Yamagata Prefecture・Yonezawa City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · 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
- Highlights and activities
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A spring festival in Yonezawa featuring the annual festival of Uesugi Shrine, samurai armor parades, the Butoku-shiki ceremony, and a reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima. The processions through the city and the large-scale battle tableau on the riverbed are what make the festival special.
About Yonezawa Uesugi Festival
The Yonezawa Uesugi Festival is a traditional event heralding the arrival of spring in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture.
The annual festival of Uesugi Shrine features an opening parade, the Butoku-shiki ceremony, the Uesugi samurai armor parade, and the Battle of Kawanakajima, among other events.
The festival showcases local culture associated with the Uesugi clan at venues including the city's main streets, Matsugasaki Park, and the Matsukawa riverbed.
Source: 米沢上杉まつり - Wikipedia / 祭・イベント詳細： 米沢上杉まつり;｜（一財）都市農山漁村交流活性化機構（まちむら交流きこう）
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the Battle of Kawanakajima, a reenactment of the clash between the Uesugi and Takeda armies.
At the signal of a volley from the Inatomi-ryu Artillery Corps, a battle tableau featuring around 700 participants unfolds on the Matsukawa riverbed.
The Uesugi army procession and parade through the city, along with the evening Butoku-shiki ceremony, are also distinctive features of the festival.
A battle tableau painted by Uesugi forces across springtime Yonezawa
What to expect
The festival begins with the annual festival and opening parade. During the festival, visitors can enjoy the Yonezawa folk-song parade and the Butoku-shiki ceremony.
On the final day, the Uesugi army procession and mikoshi parade through the city's main streets in the morning, followed by a reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima on the Matsukawa riverbed in the afternoon.
The program lets you enjoy the procession and battle at separate venues.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The city’s main streets, Matsugasaki Park, and the banks of the Matsukawa River.
Matsugasaki Park is located at 1-3-60 Marunouchi, Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture.
- Train and bus
To reach Matsugasaki Park, take a bus bound for Shirabu Onsen from Yonezawa Station on the Ōu Main Line for 10 minutes. Get off at “Uesugi Shrine-mae,” then walk for 5 minutes.
The banks of the Matsukawa River are a 10-minute walk from Yonezawa Station on the Ōu Main Line.
- Parking
Parking is listed as available.
Another guide says there is no regular parking lot, but a free temporary parking area is available.
Event venue 山形県米沢市 市内目抜き通り
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
It is held annually over 5 days, from April 29 to May 3.
The reisai and opening parade take place on April 29, the Butokushiki on May 2, and the Uesugi army procession, mikoshi togyo, and Battle of Kawanakajima on May 3.
For the 2026 schedule, please check the confirmed announcement for that 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 Yamagata Prefecture / Yonezawa City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
上杉神社
山形県米沢市にある神社
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
宮坂考古館
山形県米沢市にある博物館
写真：Abasaa / Public domain(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
松岬神社
山形県米沢市に鎮座する神社
米沢市上杉博物館
山形県米沢市にある博物館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Yonezawa Uesugi Festival
The Yonezawa Uesugi Festival has been held since before the war and was once known affectionately as the “festival of the prefectural shrine (Uesugi Shrine)” or the “festival of the castle town.”
From around the Meiji period, it was regarded as an important holiday for the people of Yonezawa. After being suspended for a time as the war intensified, it resumed around 1947.
It took its current form in 1966, and in 2022 it was held for the first time in 3 years, with infection-control measures in place.
Yonezawa Uesugi Festival at a Glance
The Yonezawa Uesugi Festival is a traditional spring event in Yonezawa, centered on the annual festival of Uesugi Shrine, where visitors can enjoy processions, ceremonies, and battle reenactments.
The Uesugi army procession along the city's main streets and the Battle of Kawanakajima on the Matsukawa riverbed are the main highlights.
It is held annually from April 29 to May 3.
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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