Shinjo, Japan
Be Part of the UNESCO Shinjo Festival: Float Pulling & Ginzan Onsen Tour
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Yamagata
GinzanOnsen
Obanazawa, Japan
Sendai, Japan
Shinjo, Japan
Product Code: B-0969
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Send voucher in 3 working days before departure
Duration 11hour(s)
Pull a UNESCO float with locals at Shinjo Festival! Experience the energy of this historic event, then wander the nostalgic, riverside streets of Ginzan Onsen. An exclusive summer day trip from Sendai
Options
Shinjo Festival ONLY Plan (Meeting at Shinjo Station)
From
¥16,800
* The amount is subjected to the payment page.Join at Shinjo / Return to Sendai by Bus
From
¥22,800
* The amount is subjected to the payment page.The Highlight
- Exclusive Experience: Don’t just watch—join the locals and pull the magnificent "Yatai" floats of the UNESCO-listed Shinjo Festival.
- UNESCO Heritage: Become part of a tradition with over 260 years of history.
- Wear an Authentic "Happi" Coat: Feel like a true local! Every participant will be provided with a traditional "Happi" festival coat to wear during the event—perfect for photos and immersion.
- Hands-on UNESCO Experience: Don't just watch—participate! Join a local team and help pull the massive, beautifully decorated UNESCO-listed floats (Yatai) through the streets of Shinjo.
- Reserved Grandstand Seating: After the excitement of pulling the float, relax and enjoy the parade from your exclusive reserved seat for about an hour.
- Ginzan Onsen: Visit Japan’s most photogenic hot spring town, famous for its Taisho-era nostalgic atmosphere.
- Expert Local Guides (English & Chinese): Deeply understand the festival's 260-year history with live commentary from a local Taiwanese resident and a professional English guide. Please note that the Taiwanese guide is available exclusively during the festival period. An English-speaking guide will accompany the group for all other parts of the itinerary
- Hassle-Free: Round-trip bus transport from Sendai included.
The Experience
Pull a piece of history under the summer sky! Join this exclusive day tour to participate in the UNESCO-listed Shinjo Festival. Don't just watch—grip the rope and pull the magnificent floats alongside the locals. After the festival’s heat, find a cool breeze and nostalgic charm in the river-side streets of Ginzan Onsen.
What is SHINJO FESTIVAL?
- The Shinjo Festival is a 260-year-old summer festival in Yamagata, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- It is famous for the parade of 20 giant floats called "Yatai." These floats recreate dramatic scenes from Kabuki and Japanese myths using life-sized dolls.
- Unlike many other festivals, these floats are built from scratch every year by local residents. You can never see the same design twice.
- The most unique part is that the local people, not professional artists, build these massive floats by hand over several months. It is a true community-made masterpiece.
Guide Services
Languages Spoken by Guides
- English
Itinerary
- Include: Lunch
- Schedule for "Festival-Only" Participants 09:00 | Meeting at Shinjo Station Our staff will be waiting for you inside Shinjo Station. Please look for the staff holding a blue "HIS" sign board. 12:00 | Watching from Spectator Seats & Dismissal After the "Float Pulling Experience" ends at 12:00
- 06:30Bus Package Schedule (Round-trip from Sendai) Departure Time: 06:30 AM Meeting Time: 06:15 AM (Please arrive by this time)
- 09:30 – 12:00: Shinjo Festival Pulling the Float Experience: (Duration: 15 to 40 minutes) The duration is subject to change based on the weather/temperature and the flow of the parade. After the experience: Watch the festival from the reserved spectator seats.
- 12:30Lunch: Japanese set menu at a local-favorite restaurant. Allergies: Please let us know if you have any food allergies.
- 14:3014:30 – 16:00 (Scheduled): Free exploration of Ginzan Onsen Transportation: Take a shuttle bus from "Taisho Roman-kan" to the Ginzan Onsen area. Note: Please be aware that there may be a waiting time for the shuttle bus depending on the situation.
- 18:30Arrival at Sendai Station Note: Please be aware that the arrival time may be significantly delayed depending on traffic or other conditions.
Price Details
Bus fare (includes highway tolls and parking fees)
Lunch
Reserved seating (Shinjo Festival)
Float-pulling experience
Happi coat (traditional festival coat)
Guide from Sendai: English-speaking
Shinjo Festival: Traditional Chinese/Mandarin-speaking guide available
Shuttle bus fare for Ginzan Onsen
Personal expenses
Any items not specifically mentioned above
How to Use
- Voucher will be sent via email. Please show your e-voucher at the designated location.
Purchase Notice
- Age Requirement: All participants must be 15 years of age or older.
- Float Pulling Experience: The duration of the float pulling experience is approximately 15 to 40 minutes. Please note that the timing may vary depending on the local temperature and the progress of the festival parade.
- Reserved Seating: Specific seat locations in the grandstand cannot be requested or assigned in advance. Seating will be managed by the tour staff on the day.
Important Booking Information
- Health and Safety: To prevent heatstroke and ensure the safety of our guests, the duration of the float-pulling experience and viewing time may be shortened depending on the weather and temperature on the day.
- Traffic and Delays: Arrival at the destination may be delayed due to festival traffic or road conditions. While this may result in a shorter experience time, please note that no refunds will be provided in such cases.
- Rainy Weather Policy: The festival will proceed even in the event of rain. However, for safety and visibility reasons, the use of umbrellas is strictly prohibited during the festival. Please bring your own raincoat or poncho.
- Luggage Policy: Please be advised that large suitcases or bulky luggage cannot be stored or brought onto the bus. We recommend using coin lockers at Sendai Station before departure.
Cancellation Policy
Number of days prior to departure / Cancellation fee
- Cancellation made at least 21 day(s) before departure date, Fully refundable (100% refund)
- Cancel during 8 ~ 20 day(s) of departure, will charge 20%
- Cancel during 2 ~ 7 day(s) of departure, will charge 30%
- Cancel on 1 day(s) before departure, will charge 40%
- Cancel on activities date, will charge 50%
Notes
Cancellation after the tour starts: No refund