【2026 Edition】May, June, and July Events in Japan｜Exclusive Guide & Complete List of “Sengoku & Jidai Festivals” Where You Can See Samurai

From Golden Week through to the start of summer vacation in May, June, and July, numerous "Sengoku Festivals" are held all across Japan. A Sengoku Festival is an event where the history and culture of the Sengoku period are recreated and experienced at castle ruins and places connected to that era throughout Japan.

There are often spectacular performances such as "warrior parades" with participants in armor, "matchlock gun demonstrations," and "chanbara (sword-fighting) battles." Even if you don't understand the history or language, international visitors will still have a great time!

In this article, we introduce a list of "Recommended Festivals for International Tourists" selected by our editors, as well as a nationwide list of Sengoku Festivals held in May, June, and July. When sightseeing, why not enjoy a Sengoku Festival as part of your trip? 

*If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.

[Carefully Selected] 5 Sengoku Festivals to See at Least Once in Your Lifetime! Early Summer Edition

Now, let us introduce five Sengoku Festivals held in May, June, and July, carefully selected by our editorial team. This time, we chose them based on visuals, accessibility, and historical value.

1. [May / Yamagata] Yonezawa Uesugi Festival | Uesugi Kenshin

This is Yonezawa’s premier spring event, held in honor of the Sengoku warlord Uesugi Kenshin. The main highlight is the reenactment of the "Battle of Kawanakajima" between the Uesugi army, said to be the strongest of the Sengoku period, and their fated rivals, the Takeda army. The powerful performance, complete with the thunderous roar of matchlock guns, lets you experience this famous historical scene up close.

Another great point is the easy access—just one hour by Shinkansen from Sendai Station. It’s sure to become a highlight of your Tohoku sightseeing. During the festival, the entire city is enveloped in a Sengoku atmosphere, making it a popular festival where both locals and tourists can join in the excitement.

Yonezawa Uesugi Festival

• Dates: April 29 (Wed, National Holiday) – May 3 (Sun, National Holiday), 2026
• Location: Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Official Website (Japanese only)

2. [May / Kanagawa] Odawara Hōjō Godai Festival | Hōjō clan

This is Odawara City’s largest tourism event, celebrating the glory of the Sengoku daimyō Hōjō clan. A grand procession of 1,600 warriors dressed as the five generations of Hōjō clan leaders parades through the city, creating a magnificent historical spectacle. With many local participants, the entire town comes alive with a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

It’s just about 30 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, making it one of the most easily accessible large-scale festivals from the Tokyo metropolitan area. Plus, it’s only a 16-minute drive to Hakone, so you can enjoy sightseeing in Hakone together with the festival. This is a valuable event where you can enjoy both history and sightseeing in Kanagawa at the same time.

Odawara Hōjō fGodai Festival

• Date: May 3 (Sun, National Holiday), 2026
• Location: Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture
• Official Website (Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and more)

3. [May / Miyagi] Sendai Aoba Festival | Date Masamune

This is an early summer tradition held in Sendai, a place associated with famous Sengoku warlord Date Masamune. The city comes alive with the vibrant Suzume Odori (Sparrow Dance) and samurai parades, creating a lively atmosphere where history and energy blend together. The dynamic Yamaboko float procession is also a must-see.

Date Masamune is a popular Sengoku warlord who frequently appears in dramas and movies. While experiencing this long history up close, you can also enjoy Sendai’s local specialties and unique cuisine connected to this historic figure. This is a festival unique to Sendai where you can savor delicious food while immersing yourself in history.

Sendai Aoba Festival

• Date: May 16 (Sat) & 17 (Sun), 2026
• Location: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture
• Official Website (Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese)

4. [May / Fukushima] Soma Nomaoi

The traditional event "Soma Nomaoi" held in Fukushima boasts a history of over 1,000 years. The highlight is the “Shinba Soudatsusen” (Sacred Flag Competition), where hundreds of armored horsemen race at full speed. The sight of these warriors in armor galloping across the field is breathtaking—so much so that it feels more like a real battle than a festival. If you’ve ever wanted to witness a Sengoku-era battle, this is the perfect opportunity.

Additionally, “Soma Nomaoi” is known as one of the largest horse-related events in Japan. Since this year is the Year of the Horse in the Japanese zodiac, it’s sure to be even more exciting!

Soma Nomaoi

• Date: May 23 (Sat) – 25 (Mon), 2026
• Location: Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Official Website (Japanese only) 

5. [June / Ishikawa] Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival | Maeda Clan

The “Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival” is the largest event in Kanazawa, recreating the glory of the Maeda clan, which founded the Kaga Domain. The main highlight is the grand “Hyakumangoku Parade,” featuring participants dressed in luxurious costumes. Every year, celebrities play the roles of Toshiie Maeda and Lady Matsu. This year, Shunsuke Daito and Yuka Sugai, who portray Toshiie Maeda and Matsu in NHK’s Taiga drama “Toyotomi Kyōdai!”, are scheduled to appear.

On the day of the festival, Kenrokuen Garden will be open at night, allowing visitors to enjoy its magical atmosphere, which is completely different from the daytime. Exploring Kanazawa’s local cuisine in Higashi Chaya District or Omicho Market is also highly recommended.

Traveling to Kanazawa? 👉 Related Article: [Latest] The Complete Kanazawa Sightseeing Guide by Locals

Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival

• Date: June 5 (Fri) – 7 (Sun), 2026
• Location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
• Official Website (Japanese, English) 

[Complete Guide] May, June, July: Nationwide “Sengoku & Historical Festivals” Calendar in Japan

Here is a month-by-month list of other Sengoku and historical festivals held throughout Japan.

List of Sengoku & Historical Festivals Held in May 

List of Events Held in June

List of Events Held in July

How to Enjoy "Sengoku Festivals" – Tips for Travelers

Finally, for those who want to fully enjoy "Sengoku Festivals" during their trip, here are three recommended ways to make the most of your experience.

Go Meet the "Busho-tai" (Samurai Performance Groups)!

If it’s your first time attending a Sengoku festival, we recommend going to meet the "Busho-tai." These are groups of people dressed as famous historical warlords and samurai. At castles and tourist spots, they provide sightseeing guidance and perform martial arts demonstrations and other shows.

For example, we recommend the “Nagoya Omotenashi Busho-tai” (Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya Castle), which sparked the boom of samurai performance troupes, and the “Kumamoto Castle Omotenashi Busho-tai” (Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto Castle), known for their dynamic performances.

By enjoying not only the main festival events but also their performances, you can fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Sengoku period.

Become a Samurai Yourself! Create Memories with “Armor Experience”

Not only can you watch the festivals, but you can also try on samurai armor is one of the most popular activities among international tourists. If you love Sengoku warlords, be sure to try the armor experience!

Depending on the festival, some allow the general public to join the parade through open applications, so we recommend checking the official website in advance.

👉Reserve your armor experience on KKday

Tips for Watching and How to Beat the Heat

Since the sun is strong in May, June, and July, heat protection is essential. Be careful of heatstroke, use hats and cooling items, and remember to stay hydrated frequently.

Be sure to join a “Sengoku Festival” or “Jidai Festival” to experience Japanese history and samurai culture firsthand!