Every May, the city of Sakata in Yamagata Prefecture comes alive with one of the region's oldest and most important traditional celebrations: Sakata Matsuri. Originally celebrated as the “Sanno Festival”—the annual festival of both the Upper and Lower Hie Shrines, it has continued without interruption since 1609. Even in 1979, as the city marked its recovery from the Great Sakata Fire, the event changed its name to the Sakata Festival and continued the celebrations.
The 2026 festival unofficially kicks off on May 15 with a Safety Prayer Ceremony in the Nakamachi Mall, alongside the opening of the Shrine Lodgings. The Upper Shrine Lodging (Kami-Toya) is located at the Shimonai-cho Community Center (Kamihonmachi 4-27), while the Lower Shrine Lodging (Shimo-Toya) is held at Inari Shrine (Kitashinmachi 2-12-19), with both lodgings open through May 22. The Evening Festival officially takes place on May 19 in front of the former Shimizuya, setting the stage for the main event the following day.
The highlight of the festival is the Main Festival on May 20, when central Sakata transforms into a stage for elaborate historical reenactments and ceremonial parades. The day unfolds as follows:
- 12pm - Ceremony
- 1pm - Procession begins
- 1:30pm - Historical procession and float procession
- 2:30pm - Oiran procession
Participants dressed as samurai, townspeople, and feudal-era figures march through the streets alongside decorative festival floats and shrine processions during the Main Festival. One of the most anticipated sights is the elegant oiran (elite courtesans) procession, featuring performers dressed in ornate Edo-period (1603-1868) courtesan attire.
May 21 serves as this ceremonial conclusion—essentially the “send-off” after the big main procession on May 20. It's the traditional way of formally closing the festival and seeing the deity safely back.
To catch the festivities, reserved spectator seating is available for the main procession, located in front of the former Shimizuya bus stop. Tickets are cash only and can be purchased at Sanno Club, 2-2-25 Hiyoshi-cho, Sakata City, open daily from 9am to 4:30pm. For inquiries, call the dedicated ticket line at 090-6801-7321.
Seats are arranged in three rows of 30–90 in total, priced at ¥3,000 per seat (all reserved). Viewing hours are 1pm to 4pm, covering the procession through to the Oiran procession. Note that tripods are only permitted in the last row.
The festival is centered around Nakamachi and central downtown Sakata, about six minutes by car from JR Sakata Station or 15 minutes from the Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway via Sakata IC. Note that traffic restrictions may be in place along the main procession routes during festival days. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, particularly on May 20, as viewing areas along the parade route fill up quickly.
Sakata’s compact downtown makes it easy to combine the festival with visits to nearby attractions, local restaurants, and historic areas connected to the city’s maritime heritage, so be sure to stop by some other local spots when you have time.
Joanna Ligon @ligon.joanna
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