Find yourself transported back in time to Japan’s past through the one and only Battle of Sekigahara Festival 2023, commemorating the largest – and most decisive – battle held in feudal Japan. Samurai fans and history buffs gather from all over the country (and some from overseas too) for this exciting, one-of-a-kind two-day event. The MAIN EVENTS to watch out for are on the 15th, 12:00-15:30. Here are some of the highlights of what’s happening during the festival weekend:

【Saturday, Oct 14】
※ Sekigahara Sengoku Live Performance by Sakura Yuki and Maihime
(Sekigahara Fureai Centre Stage) 13:00-14:00/15:00-16:00

※ Celebrating Years of Partnership between Hioki City (Kagashima), Matsuzaka City (Aichi), and Sekigahara Town (Gifu) – Official ceremony; welcome talk by descendents of Tokugawa, Shimazu; Martial Arts Performances by Great Ieyasu Kou「Aoi」Bushotai and Kosenjo Omotenashi Bushotai Sekigahara
(Sekigahara Fureai Main Hall) 14:00-16:00

【Sunday, Oct 15】
※ Martial Arts Performances by Kosenjo Omotenashi Bushotai Sekigahara
(Jinbano Kaijou, Sekigahara Fureai Centre) 10:00-10:30

※ Iga Ninja Performance
(Mt. Sasao) 10:00-10:30, 14:00-14:30

※ Drama and swordfighting stage performances by the Kyoto・Nagaoka Omotenashi Bushotai Tsutsuji
(Mt. Sasao) 10:30-11:00, 14:30-15:00

※ Samurai Riflemen Firing Demonstrations
11:00-11:30 (Mt. Sasao), 13:30-14:00 (Jinbano Kaijou, Sekigahara Fureai Centre)

MAIN EVENTS
※ Battle Formation Performance
(Mt. Sasao) from 12:00, (Jinbano Kaijou) from 13:40

※ Battle Procession of East and West Armies
(Mt. Sasao to Jinbano Kaijou) 13:00-13:30

※ Sekigahara Battle Reenactment
(Sekigahara Fureai Centre) 14:30-15:30

There will also be stalls selling various merchandise during the festival on both days. In addition to the festival events themselves, why not enjoy some of the surrounding nature trails and historical districts (like Sekigahara-juku) while you’re in the area?

Please note that there may be unforeseen changes or cancellations made to certain events in case of inclement weather.

For further event info:

Battle of Sekigahara Festival Main Website – Schedule (Japanese)
Battle of Sekigahara Festival Pamphlet – Schedule, Map (Japanese)
Battle of Sekigahara Festival Pamphlet – Schedule, Map (Japanese) PDF

For more info:

Visit Gifu – Battle of Sekigahara Festival
Visit Gifu – Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum
Visit Gifu – Historic Sekigahara Battlegrounds
Sekigahara – Japan’s Greatest Samurai Battle (English Video)