Nagoya's signature autumn festival returns on the weekend of October 17–18, 2026. For most visitors, the Nagoya Matsuri means one thing: the Procession of Three Heroes, the parade in which Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu march through the city center. Here's the catch. The 72nd edition, in 2026, will not feature that parade. If seeing the warlords march is the main reason for your trip, you'll want to adjust your plans.
This guide explains why the parade is off this year, what's happening instead, and when and where to go, all based on announcements from the City of Nagoya and the official festival organizer. Planning a wider autumn trip? See our guide to Japan's autumn festivals for more.
No Warlord Parade in 2026
Let's be clear up front: the 72nd Nagoya Matsuri (2026) will not hold its signature Procession of Three Heroes (the Three Warlords parade). Both the official festival website and the City of Nagoya state this plainly.
The reason is a scheduling clash. The same weekend hosts the torch relay (in the city on October 17) and the opening ceremony (October 18) of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. Because those events fall on the same weekend, the parade will not go ahead, for safety reasons.
There is no Three Warlords parade at Nagoya Matsuri in 2026. You can still see the Three Warlords, though: their floats are on display at Hisaya-odori Park, as described below.
Because there is no parade, the road closures that usually accompany it will not happen in 2026 (October 17–18) either. Any parade routes or roadside restrictions described in older articles or travel guides simply don't apply this year.
Dates, Venues and Weather
Here is how 2026 shapes up. The main site is Hisaya-odori Park in Naka Ward, central Nagoya, with additional events at Nagoya Castle.
Item | Details |
|---|---|
Dates | Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026 (two days) |
Main venue | Hisaya-odori Park (Edion Hisaya Hiroba, Angel Hiroba) |
Other venue | Nagoya Castle and other city sites |
Warlord parade | Not held in 2026 |
Parade-related road closures | None in 2026 |
Weather policy | Held in light rain, canceled in severe weather (both the Hisaya-odori Park and Nagoya Castle sites) |
You can walk the Hisaya-odori Park grounds freely, and there is no official notice of an admission fee. Nagoya Castle and the Toyotomi Brothers Nagoya-Nakamura Taiga Drama Museum are free on both October 17 and 18, while other city sightseeing facilities are free on Sunday, October 18 only. The facilities and days can change year to year, so check the official notice for any site you want to visit.
Start and end times for each event are not published on the official website or press materials. For a detailed timetable, check the official site or the printed festival guidebook closer to the dates.
The Three Warlords: Floats, Not a Parade
If there's no parade, does that mean the warlords are a no-show? Not quite. There is no marching procession, but the Three Warlords floats are on display at Hisaya-odori Park, so you can see them up close and take your time.
The City of Nagoya has announced several one-off features for 2026:
- A display of decorated flower floats
- The Three Warlords floats on display
- Festival-float music (dashi-bayashi) and mechanical karakuri dolls
- Kagura shrine music
- A bon odori dance gathering
All are centered on Hisaya-odori Park. There may be no moving procession, but being able to see the warlord-linked floats and karakuri up close and at your own pace is something unique to this year.
What to See at Hisaya-odori Park
The park venue puts Nagoya's samurai culture and local food front and center.
Performances by armored warrior troupes (bushō-tai) are a Nagoya Matsuri staple. Their swordplay and drills are dramatic and highly photogenic. Performers and timings are announced in the official guidebook, so check ahead if there's an act you don't want to miss.
During the festival (October 17–18), a dedicated area at Hisaya-odori Park fills with stalls serving nagoya-meshi, the city's local cuisine. You can sample different Nagoya flavors as you walk, then stop at hands-on booths exploring local crafts and traditions.
Getting There, and Where to Stay
The main venue, Hisaya-odori Park, sits in central Naka Ward. From Nagoya Station, the simplest route is the Higashiyama subway line to Sakae Station, a short walk from the park.
The park is long and narrow from north to south. For Edion Hisaya Hiroba toward the north end, Hisaya-odori Station (Meijo and Sakura-dori lines) is closest. For the Nagoya Castle site, the nearest stop is Shiyakusho Station on the Meijo line.
Central Nagoya is busy on festival weekends, and nearby rooms fill up early. If you'd like to stay a night before or after to take your time, it pays to lock in a room early.
Check hotel availability and rates in Nagoya
Before You Go
The 2026 edition of Nagoya Matsuri will feel a little different without its headline Three Warlords parade. Even so, the warlord floats, the samurai performances and the local nagoya-meshi food all deliver a taste of Nagoya in autumn.
One caution: the absence of parade-related closures doesn't mean the streets will be clear. The same two days host the Asian Para Games torch relay (October 17) and opening ceremony (October 18) in the city, so there may still be traffic restrictions and crowds nearby. Check same-day traffic information before you head out.
Keep the dates (October 17–18) and the weather policy (held in light rain, canceled in severe weather) in mind. For event timetables and the list of free-admission facilities, the surest move is to check the official site and guidebook just before you go.
This article was translated from the original Japanese with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. The Japanese version is authoritative.