Things to do in Kuki – Nearby Tokyo Interview
Nearby Tokyo talks to Kuki city’s local tourist office about things to do in the area, including their famous lantern festival as well as their Iris, lavender and cosmos flowers.
Samurai Festival in Ashikaga
(Yoroi Toshikoshi Matsuri)
節分鎧年越（足利市）
Join the locals and be a 'Samurai Worrier' near Tokyo
Last updated by Angus M
on December 17, 2024
The organizers have confirmed that this event is GOING ahead.
DATE
2025
: 2nd February (Sun)
Days
Hours
Min
Sec
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
*Information last checked on 2024-12-15
TIME & SCHEDULE
17:00～18:30
*Samurai procession starts at 17:00.
*All dates & activities are subject to change due to weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.
*Information last checked on 2024-12-15
COST
Free to watch
Dress up as a Samurai (take part)
For this festival, you can dress up in actual samurai armor and participate in the procession. Fees depend on the rank of the armor you would like to hire. For an adult, costs are roughly between 20,000 yen – 45,000 yen.
See here (Japanese site) for types of armor. Booking is needed!
*Prices are from the 2025 season
*Information last checked on 2024-12-15
How to enjoy the Samurai Festival
Great for photos!
Experience Traditional Japan
Fun for solo travelers
Fun for a group of friends
Fun for the family
Enjoy for 2 hours (If just watching)
⚔️👹 750 Years Old Samurai Tradition👹⚔️
‘Setsubun Yoroi Toshikoshi’ in Ashikaga City
🏯🏹Travel back to 750 years ago and see about 200 ⚔️Samurai Warriors march down from Orihime Community Center to Bannaji Temple (about 1.3km long) on February 3rd,2019!
Men, women, and children in 🏹battle uniforms will march while playing traditional instruments. The march almost looks as if it just came out of the 📖history book…
🏮This tradition began about 750 years ago when the grandchild of a very strong samurai commander Ashikaga, started to gather 500 samurai soldiers at Bannaji Temple to represent the unity and 💪strength of the clan.
What to also experience around the festival?
Local recommendations
- Unique Experience
- Rent a Kimono and walk around the town Visit the oldest school in Japan ‘Ashikaga Gakko’
- Attractions
- Ashikaga Gakko
- Orihime Shrine
- Ashikaga Flower Park
- Kurita Museum
- Food / Drink
- Coco Farm Winery
- Potato Yakisoba (Jyagaimo iri Yakisoba)
- Sano Ramen in Sano city
Ashikaga Flower Park
Internationally known for their spectacular wisteria display and winter illuminations, Ashikaga flower park is beautiful to walk around at all times of year. Their 8 seasonal flower displays are ever changing and with lots to see you could easily spend a few hours here enjoying the flowers and taking lots of photos.
'Ashikaga City'
(learn more about this area)
Visit Ashikaga city to enjoy Wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park, the historical Ashikaga Gakko, Bannaji temple, and Coco Farm winery.
Places to EAT in Ashikaga City
Places to STAY in Ashikaga City
Western Style Hotel
There are many western-style budget hotels in Ashikaga.
Ryokan (Japanese Style Hotel)
There are not many Japanese style Ryokans in Ashikaga.
Holiday rental (Airbnb)
There are a few nice holiday homes and airbnbs available in the area.
Access (How to get to the Samurai Festival in Ashikaga)
How to get there
Public Transport
80min from Tokyo (Asakusa Sta.) by train (Tobu Line).
90min from Tokyo (Tokyo Sta.) by train (JR Line).
Car
2 hrs drive from Tokyo by car.
Location & Address
Address
From 5-6pm
Parade (procession) starts at ‘Ashikaga City Orihime Kominkan'(足利市織姫公民館）and goes down the main street ending at Bannaji Temple (鑁阿寺本堂).
From 6pm-6:30pm
Mamemaki and ‘battle cry’battle cry at Bannaji Temple.
Bannaji Temple (鑁阿寺本堂)
2220 Ietomi-cho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture Japan 326-0803
〒326-0803 栃木県足利市家富町2220
Access from Tokyo
By Public Transport
Via Tobu Ashikaga-shi Station (Tobu Isesaki Line)
15 min walk.
Via JR Ashikaga Station (JR Ryomo Line)
15 min walk.
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
By Car
Via Ashikaga IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway
10 minutes drive from Ashikaga IC on the Kita-kanto Expressway (Kita-kanto Jidoshado).
Via Ota-Kiryu IC on the Kita-Kanto Expressway
15 minutes drive from Ota-Kiryu IC on the Kita-kanto Expressway (Kita-kanto Jidoshado).
We recommend using a travel app like Google Maps or Japan Transit Planner to find train times.
Contact Details (Event Organizer)
For information about this event, please contact the Tourist Office directly.
Tel: +81 (0)284-43-3000
Websites
Japanese info (official) (External Link)
English info (official) (External Link)
Disclaimer: NearbyTokyo.com strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information by researching and contacting event organizers. All information on the page is provided in good faith. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, reliability, or availability of any information found here. Readers are encouraged to verify any information with official sources.
