Light and warriors return to Ichijodani this summer.
The 56th Echizen Asakura Sengoku Festival and the 23rd Echizen Asakura Mantoya take place over two days, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026, at the Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins. Creative ASUWA is among the supporters.
This year marks 55 years since the site was designated a Special Historic Site, and 35 years since its four gardens became a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
More than 15,000 lights — Echizen Asakura Mantoya
Lights of prayer, kindled in a Sengoku capital
As the sun goes down, more than 15,000 candles are lit across the site. Each cup carries a wish, drawn by local people and visitors.
The festival is held every August, timed to the death anniversaries of Takakage, the first lord, and Yoshikage, the fifth. The lights are an act of prayer and thanks to the people who once lived in this valley.
Asakura Kyogaku performs on both days
Asakura Kyogaku, our own project, takes the stage at 17:20 on both 22 and 23 August — the songs and dances born in Ichijodani, performed in the hour before the candles are lit.
Saturday 22 August
| 15:00 | Jizo-bon (Lord Yoshikage’s grave) |
| 15:45 | Annual rite (Asakura Shrine) |
| 16:00 | Asuwa Daiichi Junior High School wind band |
| 16:30 | Wind band, Fukui City Fire Brigade Band and Hanako Shinkai — collaboration stage |
| 17:10 | Hanako Shinkai mini concert |
| 17:20 | Asakura Kyogaku |
| 18:00 | Mantoya opening ceremony and lighting |
| 18:50 | Erhu: Yasuko Nakayama (Asakura Residence) Kokarina ensemble (Suwa Residence garden) |
| 19:20 | Kids dance show |
| 20:20 | Yosakoi: Sakou-gumi |
| 20:30 | Fireworks (postponed to 19:35 the next day in bad weather) |
| 21:00 | Mantoya ends |
Sunday 23 August
| 10:00 | Memorial service for the five Asakura lords (Lord Yoshikage’s grave) |
| 11:15 | Sengoku warrior procession — departure ceremony |
| 13:00 | Matchlock gun demonstration, Echizen Matchlock Preservation Society |
| 14:00 | Ichijodani Song Festival (Yutaka Oe) |
| 15:30 | Kenshibu sword dance, Shinsei-ryu |
| 16:40 | Saxophone: DUO L.shion |
| 17:20 | Asakura Kyogaku |
| 18:00 | Mantoya lighting |
| 18:30 | Gagaku: Sakaenoyashiro Gagaku Society |
| 20:00 | Mantoya ends |
The Ichijodani Song Festival features Yutaka Oe, Kanta Ichijo and Eiji Kurokawa.
Times may change on the day.
Join the warrior procession
You can take part in the Sengoku warrior procession from 11:15 on Sunday 23 August. The organisers lend armour and ashigaru costumes, and you are welcome to come in your own armour. Numbers are limited and allocated in order of application: the full suits of armour are now fully booked, and only ashigaru costumes remain available.
There is also a scheme for primary-school children (the first 10 to apply) to join wearing helmets and armour they have made themselves from cardboard.
To apply, contact the Asakura Clan Ruins Preservation Association (Japanese only).
Tel 0776-41-2330 / Fax 0776-41-4281 / [email protected]
Getting there
Parking at the site is very limited. Please use the shuttle bus or public transport. For shuttle details, see the QR code on the flyer or the Asakura Clan Ruins Preservation Association page (Japanese).
Details
| Event | 56th Echizen Asakura Sengoku Festival 23rd Echizen Asakura Mantoya |
| Dates | Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August 2026 |
| Venue | Ichijodani Asakura Family Historic Ruins |
| Organised by | Echizen Asakura Sengoku Festival Executive Committee Yume Sozo Asuwa Kai (Mantoya) |
| Supported by | Fukui Prefecture, Fukui City, Creative ASUWA and others |
| Enquiries | Asakura Clan Ruins Preservation Association, tel 0776-41-2330 (Japanese only) |