Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 2-Day Shinjo Float Festival Customizable Tour
Two days at the Shinjo Festival in Yamagata, 24-26 August. See huge handmade floats, part of a UNESCO listed float festival group, with Mogami local food.
Private · your group only◆2 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
The Shinjo Festival in northern Yamagata is over 250 years old. Each neighbourhood builds a huge float by hand every year, with scenes from kabuki and old stories. The floats are pulled through the streets to drums and flutes. In 2016 it was added to UNESCO's list of Japan's Yama, Hoko, Yatai float festivals.
The festival runs every year on 24, 25 and 26 August. This tour runs only on those dates.
On Day 1 we drive from Tokyo to Shinjo, about 5.5 hours. In the late afternoon we stop at the local history centre in Shinjo, where you can learn how the festival floats are made. In the evening the lit floats parade through the town. Street viewing is free and we find a good place to stand.
On Day 2 we see the floats in daylight in the town, then try Mogami local food for lunch, such as soba and local beef or chicken dishes. Your lunch is included. In the afternoon we drive back to Tokyo.
Shinjo is small and hotels fill early in August. You book your own hotel in Shinjo or a nearby town.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the Shinjo Festival is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Shinjo and the Mogami River area on another date in late summer.
DAY 1 Drive Tokyo to Shinjo, local history centre, evening float parade
DAY 2 Floats by day, Mogami lunch, drive back to your Tokyo hotel
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- See huge handmade floats pulled through the streets at night
- Experience a festival in a UNESCO-listed group of float festivals
- Learn how the floats are built at the history centre
- Enjoy an included lunch featuring local Mogami food
- Hear the drums and flutes of a 250-year-old town festival
Said plainly
Private tour for 1 to 6 people in one van. Your driver-guide speaks English, Hindi and Urdu Festival dates only: 24, 25 and 26 August. Street viewing is free Crowds are large. The float route and times can change, and we follow the local plan Book your hotel early, rooms in Shinjo sell out in August. Dietary needs can be added in the booking form If the Shinjo Festival is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Shinjo and the Mogami River area on another date in late summer
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
See huge handmade floats pulled through the streets at night
Experience a festival in a UNESCO-listed group of float festivals
Learn how the floats are built at the history centre
Enjoy an included lunch featuring local Mogami food
Hear the drums and flutes of a 250-year-old town festival
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Mogami local food lunch on Day 2
- Shinjo history centre entry
Yours — paid on the day
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Shinjo or nearby)
- Optional festival street food
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥179,000
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