On April 4, iCLA joined the Shingen-ko Festival (Shingen-ko Festival official website) as the Princess Koihime Troop, parading through central Kofu alongside more than a thousand samurai participants. As Yamanashi’s largest and most celebrated annual event, the festival spans three days and attracts tens of thousands of visitors. It has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest gathering of samurai in the world, making it a defining cultural event for the region.
The Shingen-ko Festival celebrates Yamanashi’s most famous historical figure, the Warring States Period warlord Takeda Shingen, who ruled over the Province of Kai which is present-day Yamanashi. The major highlight of the festival is the “Kofu Battalion Deployment”, a reenactment of Takeda Shingen’s troop mobilization before the Battle of Kawanakajima against his arch-rival, Uesugi Kenshin. Princess Koihime was Takeda Shingen’s concubine and mother of his successor, Takeda Katsuyori.
The concept of this year’s Shingen-ko Festival was the celebration of peace and bringing people together across generations and communities. Takeda Shingen, played by Kabuki actor Ichikawa Udanji, deploys his battalion to put an end to a meaningless war.
Despite rainy weather, thirty-one students represented iCLA and proudly took part in this year’s parade. The Princess Koihime Troops featured a variety of roles including Samurai General, Princess Attendants, Samurai Guards, Female Samurai, and Flag Bearers. Some of the costumes included intricate armor handmade by past iCLA students. The troop accompanied Koihime and her doubles, the winner and runners-up of the contest, Shingenko Festival Ambassador Koihime.
Joining the Shingen-ko Festival was a grand opportunity to wear detailed and historically inspired costumes and bring the significant moment in Yamanashi’s history to life. The diversity of iCLA’s team, with participants from 17 countries, also brought an international dimension to the local festival. Even the rain could not dampen the atmosphere, as iCLA students marched down Heiwa Street with big smiles on their faces to the cheers and applause of thousands of spectators.
iCLA students also joined in the Shingen-ko Festivals held in 2025 and 2023.
It is truly a memorable experience to take part in a unique festival that embodies Yamanashi’s history, culture, and spirit, while representing iCLA in the local community.
“Attending this event gave me the opportunity to make new friends and also talk to people I had often seen around campus but had never spoken with before. It was a very meaningful and enjoyable experience in that sense. Although the waiting/standby time was quite long and a bit tiring, the event itself felt very wholesome, memorable, and unique. I also appreciated being given some free time to walk around and explore, which made the experience more enjoyable. My favorite part of the event was the parade near Kofu Station, as it was lively, fun, and left a strong impression on me.” – Zaineb
“Overall, I enjoyed the entire event. However, perhaps my favorite part was when we paraded the street and were cheered by the crowds on both sides. I was very happy to have the opportunity to represent iCLA to join such a large Samurai event.” – Hoan
“I loved the event, I did it last year as well and I always have a great time. Getting the opportunity to be head samurai was an incredible experience and I loved getting to perform and represent everyone.” – Sawyer