The Date Musha Festival is a citizen-participation festival that inherits the history and traditions of pioneering. It was started in 1973 (Showa 48) by citizen volunteers and celebrates its memorable 50th anniversary this year. It is full of unique highlights of Date, such as the 'Musha Dashi,' where magnificent warrior-painted floats and powerful dances color the town, and the 'Kiba Gyoretsu,' where mounted warriors advance majestically.

Furthermore, in the square in front of the Date Rekishi no Mori Culture Center, which serves as the main venue, an 'Omatsuri Hiroba' (Festival Square) will appear, featuring food stalls, a beer garden, and a fair corner popular with children, allowing you to enjoy a lively time from the eve of the festival.


■Omatsuri Hiroba (Festival Square) (Square in front of the Culture Center)
Food, drink, and merchandise corners will be set up, with a variety of eateries participating not only from the local area but also from outside the city. It will also be the stage for events and mounted warriors, and the venue will be bustling all day long.

■Kiba Musha (Mounted Warriors) (Square in front of the Culture Center)
In addition to archery squad demonstrations showcasing powerful techniques like whistling arrows and board breaking, there will be a demonstration of the cavalry procession where mounted warriors advance majestically on horseback. This is one of the festival's highlights, where you can experience the magnificence of the cavalry up close.

■Musha Dashi (Warrior Floats) (Parade in the city)
A Musha Dashi parade in which approximately 500 people participate and march through the city. Starting with a departure ceremony in front of Date-Monbetsu Station at 6:00 PM, the floats will depart in order, starting from the first float, and parade to the city hall.