Described as the world's largest gathering of costumed samurai, this annual April parade of over 1,000 armored participants marches from Maizuru Castle Park through central Kofu.
The Shingen-ko Festival's Koshu Military Parade, held annually since 1947 over three days in early April, draws more than 1,000 participants in Sengoku-period armor recreating Takeda Shingen's military processions, marching a fixed route from Maizuru Castle Park through central Kofu's streets. The scale and detail of the costumes, from foot soldiers to mounted commanders, offers photographers dense, colorful compositions difficult to find elsewhere in Japan, though the event's popularity means crowds line the route several people deep, making a monopod or elevated position more practical than a tripod for most vantage points. Flash photography close to the procession is generally discouraged out of respect for participants and to avoid startling horses used in the parade, so a fast lens capable of shooting in available light along shadowed side streets is valuable. Arriving well ahead of the parade's published start time to claim a position near the route, ideally at a corner where the procession must slow or turn, offers the clearest unobstructed shots of individual costumed groups.
Shooting notes
- Equipment
- Telephoto zoom (70–200mm) to isolate individual armored participants from a distance, Fast lens for shooting into shadowed side streets along the parade route, Monopod for stability in dense standing crowds where a tripod is impractical
- Lens
- 70–200mm telephoto for isolating individual participants; a fast 35mm or 50mm prime for available-light shots along shadowed side streets
- Composition
- Use a telephoto lens to isolate individual armored figures against the crowd, or a wider shot from an elevated position to capture the full procession scale
- Tip
- Scout the route the day before to identify a corner or turning point where the procession naturally slows for cleaner individual shots
Location
1-5-4 Marunouchi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0031
35.6631, 138.5686 View on map
Highlights
- More than 1,000 participants in detailed Sengoku-period armor
- Described as the world's largest annual gathering of costumed samurai
- Fixed parade route from Maizuru Castle Park through central Kofu
- Mounted commanders and foot soldier formations offering varied compositions
Tips for visiting
- Arrive at least an hour before the published parade start time to claim a clear position along the route
- Position at a route corner or turn, where the procession slows and groups separate for cleaner shots
- Avoid flash photography close to the procession, both out of respect and to avoid startling horses
- Use a monopod rather than a tripod, since standing crowds leave little space for tripod legs
When to visit
Early April during the festival's published Koshu Military Parade dates, arriving early for position.
Accessibility
The parade route follows paved city streets that are generally accessible, though dense standing crowds can make viewing difficult for wheelchair users without an early, well-chosen position.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the best time of day to shoot here?
The parade itself runs in the early afternoon on its scheduled festival day; check the current year's published Koshu Military Parade start time.
Do I need a tripod?
A monopod is more practical than a full tripod, since dense standing crowds along the route leave little room to set up tripod legs.
Is a permit needed for professional photography?
Casual and press photography from public viewing areas needs no special permit; large commercial shoots should coordinate with Kofu city tourism in advance.