This festival celebrates the birth of the first son in the last year. With more than 1 million visitors, it ranges as one of the largest festivals in Japan. During the day, there are a number of kite flying competitions and the evening is filled with the parading of festival floats and traditional local entertainment. The so-called “palace-car” (Goten-Yatai) is decorated with gorgeous lanterns and sculptures making it a true spectacle to look at. As for the kites, each town has its own special design, and there are even events at which you compete with others and attempt to tangle and cut off each other’s kites. In size, the kites can become as big as 10m2 or more.
Hamamatsu Festival (Kite Competition)
| Access from Tokyo 1h30min-2 hours from Tokyo Sta. to Hamamatsu Sta. on the Tokaido Shinkansen (Kodama or Hikari). Shuttle bus services are available between Hamamatsu Sta. and the kite competition venue. |
| May 3 - 5 every year |
| Website: Hamamatsu Festival Official Website (in Japanese only) |
Hamamatsu Festival (Kite Competition) |
Hamamatsu Festival (Parade)
| Access from Tokyo 1h30min-2 hours from Tokyo Sta. to Hamamatsu Sta. on the Tokaido Shinkansen (Kodama or Hikari). |
| May 3 - 5 every year |
| Website: Hamamatsu Festival Parade (official website, in Japanese only) |
Hamamatsu Festival (Parade) |
