The Hino Shinsengumi Festival is held annually over a weekend in May to mark the anniversary of samurai swordsman Hijikata Toshizo’s death in 1869. Renowned for their honour and loyalty to the Tokugawa shogunate during the turbulent Bakumatsu period (1853-1868), Hijikata and his group of samurai warrior called the Shinsengumi are now beloved by people across Japan for their brave resistance. So much so that their tales are often depicted in manga and movies.
The festival is made up of many events, such as a contest to decide this year’s best Hijikata Toshizo cosplay (May 11 at Takahata-fudoson temple), bushido sword fighting demonstrations on May 12, and a parade on May 12 as well from 9.50am, where you can see hundreds of locals dressed in Shinsengumi warrior costumes for a victory march. This parade is held near Hino Station on Koshu-Kaido Avenue.
Check the festival website for more details.