murmurKenshin Festival (Kenshinko-sai)
Joetsu City · Around Kasugayama Castle ruins, including the castle history park
Dates and details can change. Always check the official website before you go.
Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association · Last checked: Oct 11, 2026
Dates
Dates confirmed with official sources
- 2026
- Aug 22–23, 2026 （Ended） Eve event on August 21 (Friday)
- 2027
- Dates have not been announced yet. Please check the official website.
- Usual timing
- Usually late August
- How the date is set
- Changes from year to year Usually a weekend in late August, with an eve event the day before
- Venue
- Around Kasugayama Castle ruins, including the castle history park
- City
- Joetsu City, Niigata
About
Joetsu's festival in honour of Uesugi Kenshin, the Sengoku-era warlord, celebrates his courage and legacy. Armoured warriors carrying spears and swords make a stirring sight in the departure-for-battle procession. As evening comes on, the Battle of Kawanakajima is restaged, the Uesugi and Takeda forces charging among bonfires as the tactics and twists of the fight play out like a film. It's a full-scale show that draws big crowds every year, and some viewing areas are paid. Walk from Kasugayama Station or ride the looping shuttle bus; organisers ask everyone to use public transport. Weather can lead to changes or cancellations.
Sources
- OfficialNiigata Prefectural Tourist Association niigata-kankou.or.jp
- OfficialJoetsu Tourism Navi (official Joetsu City tourism site) joetsukankonavi.jp
Last checked: Oct 11, 2026. Event information is based on official announcements, but changes may not always be reflected here. Please check each official website for accurate details.
Other events this month
On the day, see what locals are murmuring on the murmur map
murmur is an app that shows short, anonymous posts on a map, right where they were written. On festival day, open the map around the venue and see what people nearby are saying.