Every April since 1956, the city of 天童 (Tendō, Tendo), in Yamagata Prefecture — one of Japan’s so-called 将棋のまち (shōgi no machi, shogi cities) — hosts an event known as 人間将棋 (ningen shōgi, human shogi) as the centerpiece of its 桜祭り (sakura matsuri, cherry blossom festival). 天童 is known as a 将棋のまち because it produces 90% of pieces used for the game.
