Sendai Aoba Matsuri 2024

For two days, the city of Sendai is adorned in the colors of the festival.

Sendai Aoba Matsuri In May, when the city of Sendai is covered in fresh greenery, the iconic zelkova tree-lined streets become the most beautiful “City of Trees.” During this time, the “Sendai Aoba Matsuri,” a festival that competes in the sophistication of the Date clan, is held. The festival features the lively “Yoi Matsuri” (Evening Festival) with its vibrant Sendai Suzume Odori (sparrow dance) and the opulent “Hon Matsuri” (Main Festival) that unfolds like a magnificent historical picture scroll, including the procession of the portable shrines from the Aoba Shrine dedicated to Date Masamune, the founder of Sendai, and the parade of 11 Yamahoko floats.

The “Sendai Aoba Matsuri” is celebrated as one of the representative festivals that colors the early summer in the City of Trees, Sendai. In 1985, marking the 350th anniversary of the death of Date Masamune, the festival was revived as a “festival created by the citizens for the citizens.” Today, it has become firmly established as one of the three major festivals in Sendai, beloved not only by the citizens of Sendai but also by people from all over Japan and beyond as a cherished traditional event.

 

 

 

 

Outline of the festival

Name: The 39th Sendai Aoba Festival
Theme: “With Thanks, the Revival of the Date Festival of the Date Era
Date: Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, 2024

Place: Citizens’ Square Performance Hall, Jozenji-dori, Nishiki-cho Park, Kotodai Park, etc.

 

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