[Event has ended] 2026 Edition! Watch the spectacular “Yama-butsuke” float clash at the Akita [Kakunodate Festival]

  • Akita
  • Sightseeing
The Thrilling [Kakunodate Festival Yamabutsu]
Every year from September 7 to 9, Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture hosts the “Kakunodate Festival Yamabuttsuke,” which has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. The highlight of the festival is the “Yamabuttsuke,” where festival floats collide fiercely with one another! Here’s an introduction to the “Kakunodate Festival Yamabuttsuke.”

A festival with a tradition of about 400 years

Origin of the festival

The “Kakunodate Festival Float Procession” dates back some 400 years.
The Kakunodate Festival retains a strong sense of the belief in “welcoming the gods” and “receiving the gods,” and since it features spectacular collisions where young men push their strength to the absolute limit, it can truly be called the origin of Japanese festivals.The festival is held to pray for the prosperity of the region, thriving business, and the health and safety of families, and is said to be a combination of the festivals at Shinmei Shrine (September 7–8) and Yakushi Hall (September 8–9).
Hikiyama floats carrying warrior dolls and Kabuki dolls are paraded through the neighborhood by young people from each district.
Hikiyama Floats That Stand Out Against the Backdrop of the Samurai Residences

Flow of the festival

The Kakunodate Festival takes place over three days. On the 7th, the floats head to Shinmei Shrine to pay their respects; on the 8th, they pass through Samurai Residences Street to be presented to the head of the Satake Kita family; and on the 8th and the final day, the 9th, they proceed to Yakushi-do Hall.
Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026
[September 7 (Mon)]
10:00 a.m. – Shinmei Shrine Annual Festival “Main Day”
4:00 p.m. – Visit to Shinmei Shrine
8:00 p.m. – Shinmei Shrine Annual Festival“Eve Festival”

【September 8 (Tue)】
8:00 a.m. – Shinmei Shrine Mikoshi Procession
10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Satake Northern Branch Family Viewing andOyama Hayashi Competition
3:00 PM– Jōju-in Yakushi-dō Festival Opening Ceremony
4:00 PM– Visit to Jōju-in Yakushi-dō
6:00 PM– Tourism Yamabuttuke

[September 9 (Wed)]
7:10 a.m. – Jōju-in Yakushi-dō Mikoshi Procession
10:00 a.m. – Visit to Jōju-in Yakushi-dō
10:00 a.m. – Hikiyama Parade
Scenes from a visit to Yakushido Temple
An Audience with the Head of the Satake Kita Clan

Top 3 Festival Highlights

Gorgeous "Hikiyama" (floats)

Magnificent festival floats adorned with heroic warrior dolls and colorful Kabuki dolls.
Riding on these floats are musicians who perform the “Oyama Hayashi” accompaniment using flutes, large drums, taiko drums, suri-gane cymbals, shamisen, and other instruments.Another highlight is the graceful hand-dance performed by the women of Akita, known as “Akita Obako.” There is also a folk song called “Akita Obako,” which is said to have originated in the Senboku region.
Be sure to enjoy the beautiful music and dance alongside the magnificent floats♪
Hikiyama Dolls That Add to the Splendor
Hand-dancing that will leave you mesmerized

The climax of the festival, "Yama Bussuke

The festival’s biggest highlight is “Yama-butsuke,” where the floats collide. Do you know when this “Yama-butsuke” takes place?
The floats do not follow a fixed route. Therefore, when two advancing floats meet on the street, “negotiations” begin to determine which one will yield the right of way.“Negotiation” refers to discussions with the opposing float. Once a float has finished its pilgrimage or other purpose and no longer has a reason to proceed, it loses its right of way. If negotiations fail to reach a resolution, they break down! That’s when “Yamabuttuke” comes into play: the floats are rammed into each other to determine, by sheer force, which one gets to pass first.
The shouts of the young people echo through the air, and the energy of the pullers and the festival music reaches its peak! This is the moment when you can truly feel the excitement and fervor befitting the festival’s climax.
Will the negotiations succeed...?
The festival’s excitement reaches its peak!

Sightseeing and Yamabuttsuke

On September 8, during the festival period, a “Tourist Yamabuttuke” event is held for visitors. While actual Yamabuttuke occurs spontaneously depending on the progress and circumstances of the floats, the Tourist Yamabuttuke is staged at a predetermined time and location. This ensures you’ll definitely get to see this thrilling spectacle! It’s a popular event where even first-time visitors can easily experience the charm of the festival♪

2026 “Kanko Yamabuttuke” Schedule

Be sure to experience the thrilling “Yama Buttsuke” up close!

Festival Information

Kakunodate Town", where the festival is held

Kakunodate Fusojinsha Shinmeisha

Seijoin Yakushido

Notice of Traffic Restrictions

Traffic restrictions will be in effect throughout the town during the festival. Please note that on Monday, September 7, the scope of these restrictions will be gradually reduced in accordance with the progress of the float procession.

September 7 (Mon) Traffic Restrictions

Traffic Restrictions on Tuesday, September 8

September 9 (Wed) Traffic Restrictions

Tazawako-Kakunodate Tourism Association Official Website
Semboku City Tourism Information
The “Kakunodate Festival Yamabuttsuke” is captivating thanks to the fusion of the festival music, the beautiful and graceful hand dances of the Akita Obako dancers, and the energetic Yamabuttsuke performed by the young participants. Right nearby, the samurai residences of Kakunodate—often called “Little Kyoto of Michinoku”—line the streets, making it a wonderful experience to watch the festival while soaking in the historical atmosphere.
Why not pay a visit to Kakunodate to witness the spectacular “Yamabuttsuke” for yourself?
*The content and services described in this article are subject to change.
*Photos courtesy of the Semboku City Tourist Information Center “Kakunodate Ekimae Kura”

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