STAY YAMAGATA

Sakata Festival is held from May 19 to 21 every year. It is a traditional festival that has continued without a break since 1609 as Sanno Festival - a regularly held festival of Kamihie and Shimohie Shrines.

The highlight is the procession of festival floats held during the regular festival on May 20. Above all, the four giant lions with a length and width of 2 meters and a body of 10 meters are stunning. Furthermore, lionets and adorable baby lions join in with lion families parading through the town. The Lion Pakkun is popular. This large lion bites children in its mouth with the wish for their sound health. The points and times of the Lion Pakkun are limited. Therefore, please set out after checking on the official Sakata City website.

If you want to enjoy the Sakata Festival even more, head to the yoimatsuri (small festival held the night before a full festival) on the night of May 19. The light is lit on the impressive standing festival float with a height of 22 meters. It is so colorful you will hardly recognize it from the daytime. You will surely be overawed by the sight of the halberd-decorated festival floats parading around while the sounds of the Sakata bayashi flutes and drums reverberate.