Akō Gishi-sai (Loyal Retainers Festival)

赤穂義士祭

The biggest festival of Akō in Hyōgo, held on 14 December, the date on which the loyal retainers of Akō raided Kira’s mansion. Its centrepiece is the procession of the forty-seven retainers in their raiding gear, recreating their march to Sengaku-ji temple, and with a daimyō procession and floats that act out famous scenes from Chūshingura it parades through the old castle town from the ruins of Akō Castle along O-shiro-dōri. 14 December every year.

14 December 2026

ConfirmedChecked against the organiser’s announcement.

41 days away

Every year, 14 December

Future dates: 14 December 2026 · 14 December 2027 · 14 December 2028

The 122nd Akō Gishi-sai (2025) (Akō City official video channel, official channel on YouTube)

Origin

In the third month of 1701, Asano Takumi-no-kami Naganori, lord of Akō, drew his sword on Kira Kōzuke-no-suke Yoshinaka in the Pine Corridor of Edo Castle; he was ordered to commit seppuku that same day, and the Asano house was abolished. On the night of the fourteenth day of the twelfth month of 1702, forty-seven of his former retainers, led by the chief retainer Ōishi Kuranosuke Yoshio, raided Kira’s mansion and avenged their lord, and on the fourth day of the second month of the following year they themselves committed seppuku. The story, known as Chūshingura, is still retold, and Akō has held its festival honouring the retainers on 14 December, the day of the raid; 2026 is the 123rd. In the castle ruins stands Ōishi Shrine, enshrining the forty-seven since 1912, and in the town is Kagaku-ji, the temple of the Asano family, which holds the graves of the forty-seven.

What to look for

The parade closes with the procession of the forty-seven retainers in raiding gear, as they marched to Sengaku-ji. Each year a guest actor plays Ōishi Kuranosuke. Before it come a daimyō procession, the rickshaw parade of the Akō Gishi Musume festival girls, a procession of retainer tales and floats on which famous scenes of Chūshingura are acted out (2025). On the same day a memorial rite for the retainers is held at Ōishi Shrine, where they are enshrined, and a memorial service at Kagaku-ji; on the eve, the 13th, both hold eve-of-festival rites.

How to watch

In the city’s words the festival “honours the great deed” of the retainers who avenged their lord, and alongside the colourful parade it keeps rites of remembrance: the grand rite at Ōishi Shrine and the memorial service at Kagaku-ji. On the morning of the festival there is also an early pilgrimage from a park in Shioya to Ōishi Shrine and Kagaku-ji (2025).

If you go

The festival takes place around the ruins of Akō Castle, O-shiro-dōri and Ikitsugi Square in front of JR Banshū-Akō Station, and the parade is held in the daytime. Traffic is restricted along the parade route. Paid seats are set up at Ikitsugi Square, with applications taken in the autumn. There is also a market of specialities from towns linked to Chūshingura and from neighbouring towns, and food stalls.

Where

Akō Castle ruins and O-shiro-dōri

Akō, Hyōgo

Open in maps

Sources

← All festivals