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Event Guide · Tohoku

Spring Fujiwara Festival

MayHiraizumi & Ichinoseki
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Overview

Overview

Of the Fujiwara Festivals held in Hiraizumi every spring and autumn in memory of the glory of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, the spring festival is the most colorful. Over five days there are children’s processions, Noh and Ennen-no-Mai dances, and on the 3rd, the Minamoto no Yoshitsune Azuma-kudari Procession recreates the scene of Yoshitsune and his retainers, pursued by his brother Yoritomo, arriving in Hiraizumi and being welcomed by Fujiwara no Hidehira.

When
Every year May 1–5
Venue
Chusonji, Motsuji and other spots in Hiraizumi (Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture)
Official website
https://hiraizumi.or.jp/event/haru_fuji.html
Highlights

Highlights

The Minamoto no Yoshitsune Azuma-kudari Procession on May 3 is a historical pageant with 91 participants. The roles of Hidehira, Yoshitsune, Kita-no-Kata and others are chosen each year; riding horses and an ox-drawn carriage and accompanied by warriors, including Benkei dressed as a yamabushi mountain monk, and ladies-in-waiting, they proceed from Motsuji to Chusonji and pay homage at the Konjikido (Golden Hall). Motsuji’s Ennen-no-Mai and the Benkei Chikara-mochi competition on the 5th are also popular.

Times

Times

Children’s procession (Chigo Gyoretsu)Departs the main hall at 10:30

May 1, Chusonji. Memorial service for the Oshu Fujiwara clan from 10:00. From Chusonji’s annual events page

Minamoto no Yoshitsune Azuma-kudari Procession (main procession)Departs Motsuji at 13:30

May 3, from Motsuji to Chusonji. At 10:00 a welcoming procession heads from the foot of Chusonji to Motsuji. From Chusonji’s annual events page

Chusonji Noh

May 4 and 5. On the Noh stage, Kojitsu Shiki Sanban is followed by Shinji Noh dedicated to the deities

Ennen-no-Mai dance11:00–

May 5, Motsuji. Official Motsuji information for 2026

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓The most popular event is the Azuma-kudari Procession on May 3. It departs Motsuji at 13:30, so get to the route or the Motsuji area early
  • ✓On May 3, traffic restrictions are in place in town from 8:30 to 17:00 (2026 example). If you drive, use the shuttle bus from the Hiraizumi Smart IC parking lot
  • ✓Combine the festival with visits to the World Heritage sites of Chusonji and Motsuji. Motsuji is open 8:30–17:00, admission 700 yen for adults
  • ✓The festival overlaps with Golden Week, so plan with plenty of time for getting around and meals
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • JR Hiraizumi Station (JR Tohoku Line)About 7 min on foot to MotsujiThe Runrun loop bus (runs on weekends and holidays) is convenient for Chusonji
From major stations
  • Tokyo Station: Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station (about 2 hr 10 min), then transfer to the JR Tohoku Line to Hiraizumi Station (8 min)
  • Sendai Station: Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station (32 min), then transfer to the JR Tohoku Line to Hiraizumi Station (8 min)
  • Morioka Station: JR Tohoku Line to Hiraizumi Station (1 hr 27 min)
Extra buses & shuttles
On May 3, a shuttle bus runs between the Hiraizumi Smart IC parking lot and Hiraizumi Junior High School from 9:00 to 17:00 (2026 example). The town’s Runrun loop bus runs on weekends and holidays: 200 yen per ride for adults, 550 yen for a one-day pass
Getting back
  • Trains from Hiraizumi Station are not frequent, so check return times in advance
  • The station and roads get crowded after the May 3 procession, so shift your departure a little
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
During the Azuma-kudari Procession on May 3
Quieter times
Mornings on days without a major procession, such as May 2
Time needed
Half a day to a full day to watch the procession and visit Chusonji and Motsuji
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
May normals for Ichinoseki, the Weather Guide’s observation point for this area, are a high of 21.5°C and a low of 10.1°C (JMA). Days are pleasant, while mornings and evenings feel chilly
What to wear
Spring clothes with a light jacket. Tsukimizaka at Chusonji is a slope, so wear comfortable shoes
Rain, snow & typhoons
Check official announcements on whether processions go ahead in rain
Where to check for cancellations
Hiraizumi Tourism Association (0191-46-2110)
☁ Tohoku weather in May →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Chusonji and Motsuji are places of worship. Pray quietly in the main halls and elsewhere, and do not take photos where photography is prohibited
  • !Do not step into the procession’s path, and follow staff instructions
  • !Take your trash home
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Use the toilets at Chusonji, Motsuji or around Hiraizumi Station. They get crowded on procession days, so go early
Lockers & luggage
Travel light by leaving large luggage at Ichinoseki Station or elsewhere before coming
Paying at food stalls
Bring cash for admission fees and street stalls
ATMs
ATMs around Hiraizumi Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
Tsukimizaka at Chusonji is a steep slope. With a wheelchair or stroller, contact each temple in advance
Food

Food

Local favorites
Mochi cuisineBenkei chikara-mochi (rice cakes)
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are rare, so it helps to look up nearby restaurants in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Accommodation in Hiraizumi is limited and gets busy during Golden Week. Book early, including options in Ichinoseki

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Spring Fujiwara FestivalPR

PRSee more places to stay near Spring Fujiwara Festival on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

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From 2026, held every year on the second Friday and Saturday of February (the Friday and Saturday just before the Bonden events; changed to the second Friday and Saturday on a trial basis through 2029)

2027: Feb 12 (Fri) & Feb 13 (Sat)

April–May

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival

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Usually late April to early May (timed to the cherry blossom season; April 10 – May 5 in 2026)

2027: Apr 16 (Fri) – May 5 (Wed, holiday), 20 days

August

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August

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Every year August 2–7 (eve festival on August 1; night parades August 2–6; daytime parade, evening sea parade and Aomori Fireworks Festival on the 7th)

August

Sendai Tanabata Festival

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December–February

Zao Snow Monsters Light-up

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See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-10-02

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