Yunishigawa Onsen is said to have been settled by the Heike no Ochudo—the fallen warriors of the defeated Heike clan—after their loss in the Genpei War.
To preserve the lifestyle and traditions of these Heike refugees, a folk village was established, featuring relocated and reconstructed thatched-roof houses from the surrounding region.
This ethnographic village, Heike no Sato, was built in 1985, exactly 800 years after the fall of the Heike clan.

In June, the village hosts the Heike Grand Festival, during which visitors can witness the majestic Heike Emaki Procession—a parade of armored warriors and elegant court ladies making their way from the Yunishigawa District Center to Heike no Sato.
It’s a truly immersive experience that feels like stepping back in time to the Heian period.