Shoryu Weeping Plum Blossom Festival (昇竜しだれ梅まつり, Shoryuu Shidare-ume Matsuri), Kurematsu-chou 1476-1, Nishi-ku (near Kanzanji). Late February to late March. Trees are pruned to look like dragons on clouds in the sky.￥500. �
Princess Road Procession (姫様道中, Hime-sama Douchuu), Hosoe-cho, Kita-ku (along the Toda River), ☎ 053-523-0713, . first Saturday and Sunday of April, early afternoon. During the Edo Period this road was a popular excursion spot for princesses. This matsuri re-enacts what the procession was like, with actors in full authentic dress of samurai, maids, servants and, of course, the princess with her palanquin. �
Hamamatsu Festival (浜松祭り, ''Hamamatsu Matsuri''), downtown and Nakatajima (shuttle buses to the kite-flying grounds leave from the south side of Act Tower). At Golden Week in early May. This 450-year-old festival is one of the most famous Golden Week festivals in Japan. In what is known as the Takoage Gassen, every neighborhood in the city and even some from other cities design and make their own kites to fly and to fight near at the festival grounds near Nakatajima Sand Dunes, with each kite representing a son born to a family of the neighborhood within the last year. The kite-fighting takes place on the third day of the 3-day festival and results entertainingly in downed kites in trees and on rooftops all over the neighborhood. In the Sunken Garden space on the north side of Act City, there is an international food court with many exotic stalls, and a stage for all kinds of music and cultural performances from around the world, including taiko drumming, local yaramaika music, Thai kickboxing, Brazilian batucada and samba dancing performances, jazz acts, jugglers, and traditional dances. There are also parades all over the city well into the night, in which children playing various instruments are carried in 70 large ornate parade floats. Everywhere there are groups marching and chanting to the sound of trumpets, and the sake flows freely.Free. �
Hamakita Hiryu Festival (浜北飛龍まつり, ''Hamakita Hiryuu Matsuri''), various locations around Hamakita: Tenryu Nakase Ryokuchi (park along the river), Hamakita Culture Center (west of the Akaden Hamakita stop), Nayuta (in front of Hama-kita station). First weekend of June. In honor of Ryujin, god of the Tenryuu River, various events are held including kite-flying, a gyoza competition, and a special event celebrating fire, water, and sound. �
Hamamatsu Yukata Festival, (in the plaza on the north side of Entetsu Department Store, west of JR Hamamatsu), ☎ 053 460-1996. First weekend of July. Hamamatsu is one of Japan's leading producers of the patterned, dyed fabric used to make yukata, and this small festival celebrates the beauty of this colored "summer kimono" with musical performances, food stalls, a yukata contest, and other exhibitions. �
Enshu Buddhist Chanting Ritual (遠州大念仏, ''Enshuu Dainenbutsu''), All across town, ☎ 053 586-6201. Around July 14. In this local traditional performance, a procession of chanters and people with flutes, drums, cymbals and lanterns visit the homes of families who have lost a loved one in the last year. �
Misakubo Festival (水窪祭り, ''Misakubo Matsuri''), Misakubo-cho (take the JR Iida line from [[Toyohashi]] to Misakubo station, or drive Route 152 all the way to Misakubo-cho, about 65km from downtown), ☎ 053 987-0432. Second Saturday in September. This mountain festival features a costume contest in the afternoon and parades of costumed men carrying elaborate floats in the evening.Free. �
Hamakita Manyo Festival (浜北万葉まつり), Hiraguchi 5051-1, Hamakita-ku (in Manyo no Mori Park), ☎ 053 586-8700, . Third weekend of October. Features re-enactments of life in the Nara and early Heian periods with people dressed in authentic period clothing and dramatic Manyo poetry readings. �
A Brazilian samba parade near Shin-Hamamatsu station
Sakuma Dam Festival (佐久間ダムまつり, ''Sakuma Damu Matsuri''), Sakuma-cho Sakuma - Tenryu-ku (at Sakuma Dam Lake Park), ☎ 053 965-1651. Last Sunday of October. This festival pays tribute to Ryujin, god of the Tenryu River, and commemorates the 1956 opening of Sakuma Dam, a great engineering feat of its time. Highlights include a colorful dragon god dance, taiko drumming, fireworks over the lake, and many vendors displaying local products.Free. �
Inasa Puppet Festival (いなさ人形劇まつり, ''Inasa Ningyougeki Matsuri), various locations in Inasa-cho - Kita-ku (take a bus from central bus station terminal 15 to the Iinoya stop: 井伊谷), ☎ 053 542-1111, . Third weekend of November. A rarity in Japan, this festival brings puppeteers from across the country for three full days of over 60 performances. Great for kids. �
Akiba Fire Festival (秋葉山火祭り, ''Akiba-san Hi-matsuri), Haruno-cho Ryouke 841 - Tenryu-ku, ☎ 053 985-0111. December 15. Celebrating the supposed fire-prevention powers of Mt. Akiha, this festival is held at Akiba Temple and Shrine atop the famous mountain, with fire-walking, fire dances, and various weapon dances. �
Hanabi Taikai - There are many fireworks displays in the area during the summer. The largest of these is Fukuroi Enshu no Hanabi held in Fukuroi, a small town a few stops east on the JR line. This celebration in early August is one of the largest fireworks displays in Japan, with over 30,000 fireworks. Within Hamamatsu city limits, there are also impressive hanabi taikais in Bentenjima (late June), Kanzanji (late July), and Tenryu (early August).
There are also various festivals and performance to celebrate the Japanese-Brazilian heritage that is so prevalent in this area.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Hamamatsu
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Hamamatsu - updated May 2024
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Hamamatsu Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
