Last but certainly not the least, the main highlights of the Uesugi Festival will be held on 3rd May, a holiday!

Rise and shine, because the Uesugi Parade will be hitting town early! The 1,000-strong parade consists of over 200 participants making up the Uesugi army, along with other participants ranging from Yonezawa city elementary schoolers to omikoshi (portable Shinto shrine) bearers from the Uesugi Shrine.

The omikoshi procession sets off first from Yonezawa Nanbu Elementary School at 9:50 am, while the Uesugi army departs from Yonezawa Kojo Elementary School at 10:30 am. These separate processions will meet in front of Yonezawa Shinkin Bank’s main branch, merge, and head to the Battle of Kawanakajima site at Matsukawa Kasenshiki (Matsu Riverbank) together. Watch as the flags bearing the Uesugi clan’s crest flutter with the spring breeze!

Duration: 9:50 am ~ 12:30 pm

Note: Please observe the procession quietly. Do not shout or get close to the procession members as they pass.

And that’s not all, because the reenactment of the Battle of Kawanakajima will blow your socks and shoes off! The Battle of Kawanakajima occurred in the year 1561 between the armies of Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, two incredibly powerful daimyo (domain lords) of the Sengoku period. This thrilling battle is the main highlight of the festival and it's a definite must-see for all!

Duration: 2:00 pm ~ 3:30 pm
Venue: Matsukawa Kasenshiki (Matsu Riverbank)

For more information on access routes and road closures, please check this post.
Highlights on 29th April
Highlights on 2nd May

Throughout his life, Uesugi Kenshin had always fought valiantly in the frontlines of battle. The buteishiki ceremony was held by Uesugi Kenshin before battles to pray to the deities for victory based on the firm belief that it would stomp out dishonourable and crooked acts on behalf of the deities.

The Uesugi festivities have yet to end! Start off your evening on 2nd May (Tuesday) with the buteishiki procession, which will march from Uesugi Mausoleum, pass Zennichisan Senshouin temple, and end at Uesugi Shrine. Hang around if you’re in the area!

Time: 4:40 pm ~ 5:30 pm

There are also two more performances lined up for all to enjoy! Check them out as you wait for the buteishiki rituals to begin proper!

5:30 pm – Yamagata ‘Ai’ Samurai Troupe Sparring
6:10 pm – Uesugi Taiko Performance

And the highlight of the day is the buteishiki ceremony itself! Catch a glimpse of the Sengoku era as you observe the rituals that have been recreated with the help of the Buteishiki Preservation Society! These include the sacred Gotensui morale-boosting rites, the Uesugi gunmen’s firing display, and many more!

Time: 6:30 pm ~ 7:30 pm
Venue: Denkoku no Mori open field

For more information on access routes and road closures, please check this post.
Highlights on 29th April
Highlights on 3rd May

The highlight of spring is right around the corner! Formerly known as the castle town’s spring festival, the Yonezawa Uesugi Festival celebrates coming of spring after the harsh winter prior. And what’s a grand festival without an opening festival of its own?

Head over to the Denkoku no Mori area and check these out!

Date: 29th April 2023 (Saturday, national holiday)

1.    Opening Ceremony

Time: 9:00 am ~ 9:17 am

An opening address, along with taiko and traditional dance performances will be held!

2.    Stage Performances

Time: 12:40 pm ~ 5:00 pm

A wide variety of song and dance items, both modern and traditional, will be performed at the outdoor stage!

3.    Min’you Nagashi Folk Dance Parade

Location: From Yoneori Kaikan (Yonezawa Textile Hall) to Denkoku no Mori
Time: 11:15 am ~ 12:40 pm

Don’t miss this parade consisting of dancers from all walks of life performing the traditional folk dances, Yonezawa Shinchou and Hanagasa Ondo!

For more information on access routes and road closures, please check this post.
Highlights on 2nd May
Highlights on 3rd May
 

Now that winter has finally ended for the year, Nishi-Azuma Sky Valley road will reopen on 26th April 2023 (Thursday)! Hit the road and check out the lush spring views while they last!

Opening Date

26th April 2023 (Thursday)

An opening ceremony along with a prayer ceremony for safety will begin at 9:30 am at Shirabu Pass.
Cars can drive on the road from 10:00 am onwards.

Night Closure

Nishi-Azuma Sky Valley will be closed from 5:00 pm to 7:00 am everyday until 12th May (Friday) as a safety precaution for the roads freezing over at night. (Subject to change depending on the road situation)

Contact

Okitama Region Construction Department Road Planning Division
TEL: 0238-26-6079
 

The Battle of Sekigahara in September of 1600 (Keicho 5) was one of the key reasons the Tokugawa clan took over the Toyotomi clan’s right to rule Japan. The conflict began with Uesugi Kagekatsu, who had refused to go to the capital of Kyoto under the orders of the Toyotomi government (which was controlled by Tokugawa Ieyasu at the time) and faced off with Ieyasu’s soldiers.

Although Kagekatsu was absent during the battle at Sekigahara in Mino province, his affiliation with the Western Army meant that a huge wave of change was about to wash over Aizu, and in turn, the Ou province it was in.

Furthermore, Kagekatsu was relocated to Yonezawa as a result of the battle. From there, a roughly 270-year long chapter in the history of Yonezawa involving the Uesugi clan began.

This exhibit delves into the relationship between the historically significant Battle of Sekigahara and Kagekatsu by looking back on the past 400 years of history following Kagekatsu’s passing.

Exhibition Period

First half: 22nd April 2023 (Saturday) ~ 21st May 2023 (Sunday)
Second half: 27th May 2023 (Saturday) ~ 25th June 2023 (Sunday)

Please also note:

-    The museum is closed on 24th May 2023 (Wednesday)
-    Entry is free on the following dates

      1.   5th May 2023, only for children of high school age and below (Friday, Children’s Day national holiday)
      2.   18th May 2023, for all visitors (Thursday, International Museum Day)

Opening hours

9:00 am ~ 5:00 pm (Last entry at 4:30 pm)

Fees

Regular – 700 yen (560 yen)
High school and University students – 300 yen (240 yen)
Middle and Elementary school students – Free

* Prices in brackets are for groups of 20 and above and include entry to the permanent exhibition

Exhibition Lecture – The Uesugi Clan and Kyoto, Fushimi, and Osaka during the Toyotomi's Rule

Date: 20th May 2023 (Saturday)
Time: 2:00 pm ~ 4:00 pm
Lecturer: Katagiri Akihiko (Associate Professor at Niigata University’s Faculty of Humanities)
Venue: Denkoku no Mori Grand Meeting Room
Participant Limit: 120 (First-come-first-served basis)

Registration begins from 25th April 2023 (Tuesday) at 9:00 am

Gallery Talk (Registration not required)

Dates: 22nd April, 13th May, 27th May, 24th June (Saturdays)
Time: 2:00 pm for all sessions
Venue: Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum Special Exhibition Room
Participant Limit: None

* The curator in charge of the exhibition will explain the exhibited materials.
* Please note that you must pay for entry to the special exhibit.

Limited Time Display of the Authentic National Treasure - Rakuchu Rakugaizu Byobu (Uesugi Version)!

Dates: 22nd April 2023 (Saturday) ~ 21st May 2023 (Sunday)
Venue: Permanent Exhibition Hall, Uesugi Bunkakan

* For more details, please visit the Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum website.

Contact

Denkoku no Mori Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum

〒 992-0052
1-2-1 Marunouchi, Yonezawa

TEL: 0238-26-8001
FAX: 0238-26-2660