Yokohama, Japan — December 20–21, 2025 — Castle EXPO 2025, Japan’s premier festival celebrating castle culture, history and regional heritage, concluded its 10th anniversary edition this past weekend at Pacifico Yokohama North and Annex Halls. Across two days of programming, the expo drew enthusiastic fans, families and history buffs eager to explore exhibits, attend talks and hear from celebrity guests and experts.
The event opened on Saturday, December 20, running from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a special Saturday Night Concert in the evening featuring NINJA BRASS performing historical television and drama theme music — an immersive audiovisual experience that connected modern culture with the festival’s heritage focus. The main exhibitions and stalls showcased regional castles, historical information zones, detailed castle models and a children’s castle research contest that gave young attendees a hands-on way to engage with history.
On Sunday, December 21, the expo continued from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., bringing additional stage talks and celebrity appearances to a packed audience of visitors. A high-profile moment came when actor Minami Hamabe took the stage to discuss her role in the upcoming 2026 NHK Taiga drama Toyotomi Brothers!, in which she portrays Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hamabe’s remarks were met with sustained applause and engagement from the crowd. Speaking about the series and her connection to the historical narrative, she described the story as “最高の兄弟。ずっと見ていたくなる” (“an amazing portrayal of the brothers; it’s something you’ll want to keep watching”), encouraging attendees to tune in when the drama premieres and expressing her excitement for audiences to experience the historical arcs through the series.
Hamabe’s appearance underscored Castle EXPO’s role as more than just a display of artifacts — it has become a platform where historical storytelling converges with contemporary media, drawing attention to how Japan’s past continues to be represented in popular culture. Her talk was moderated by well-known stage hosts and contributed to the strong turnout on Sunday, reflecting the cross-generational appeal of both castle heritage and historical drama.
In addition to celebrity talks, the expo featured other high-interest programs such as a talk with Ko Shibusawa, executive producer of the Nobunaga’s Ambition and Romance of the Three Kingdoms video game series, which attracted long lines of gaming and history enthusiasts. Organizers also staged interactive information zones on castle tourism, historical lectures by specialists, and exhibits from castle-associated local governments and cultural bodies from across the country, reinforcing the event’s standing as an expansive showcase of Japan’s rich feudal heritage.
The celebration of the expo’s 10th anniversary also included the wider schedule of events tied to the festival period, such as the Busho Parade on Friday, February 19, 2026 and performances showcasing 武将隊 (samurai warrior troupe) displays, reflecting the enduring popularity of samurai culture and regional heritage tourism.
Overall, Castle EXPO 2025 drew strong crowds over its two days, with visitors praising the breadth of content — from historical exhibits to modern cultural connections — as both educational and entertaining. It reaffirmed the event’s role as a highlight of the winter cultural calendar in Yokohama and a landmark gathering for castle enthusiasts nationwide.
Event Highlights (2025 Schedule)
- December 19, 2025 (Fri), 17:30 — Busho Parade around Queens Square Yokohama
- December 20, 2025 (Sat), 9:30–18:30 — Castle EXPO 2025
- December 20, 2025 (Sat), 18:30–20:00 — Saturday Night Concert
- December 21, 2025 (Sun), 9:30–17:00 — Castle EXPO 2025
Official Links
- Official Castle EXPO 2025 Website — https://www.shiroexpo.jp/
- Event Information (English) — https://www.iwafu.com/en/events/1018310
- Expo Program & Talks — https://www.shiroexpo.jp/program/
- Yokohama Event Details — https://www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/eventinfo/ev_detail.php?bid=yw6151
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