Sendai Aoba Festival
仙台・青葉まつり

At the heart of the celebration is the Yamaboko parade, inspired by the elaborate floats of the Edo and Meiji periods. Modern Yamabokos are constructed using a combination of traditional materials: carved wood, lacquer, metal fittings, and decorative fabrics. The Yamaboko is about 5.2 to 6.2 meters in length and 5.5 to 8 tons in weight.

Currently, there are 11 Yamabokos used in Sendai Aoba Festival: Masamune-ko Kabuto Yamaboko, Shichi-fuku Big Drum Yamaboko, Odai Yamaboko, Aobagoma Yamaboko, Miyabi Yamaboko, Ebisu Yamaboko, Hayashi Yamaboko, Masamune Yamaboko, Goshinsen Yamaboko, Daikokuten Yamaboko, Karajizhi Yamaboko. Each float has a symbolic meaning that ranges from the heroic legacy of Date Masamune to prosperity, a successful crop, maritime protection, and divine blessings.

The festival takes place on the third Saturday and Sunday of May every year, with a separated timeline called Yoi-matsuri and Hon-matsuri. 

Yoi-matsuri, or the Eve Festival, is held on the first day, includes light displays, nightly performances, introduction parades, and small-scale Suzume Odori dances to prepare the city for the main event.

On the second day, Hon-matsuri, or the Main Festival is held and the samurai come out to play. The whole Yamaboko procession, big dance performances, and religious ceremonies as well as mikoshi parade will be presented in this day.

Standing on the streets during the Sendai Aoba Festival, you can feel history moving right in front of you, from the deep rumbling of the Yamaboko wheels to the energetic rhythm of Suzume Odori, they all together bring the entire city to life. It makes me feel as a collective expression of local memory, where history is embodied through sound, motion, and communal participation. For anyone looking to understand Sendai beyond guidebooks and museums, the Aoba Festival is a must-see, since it provides an immersive experience that allows visitors to interact directly with the city's traditions, values, and spirit.  Witnessing the festival firsthand allows you to gain a better understanding of how tradition continues to shape Sendai's current urban life.