Major Events & Festivals in Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
1. Shizuoka Tanabata Festival
An annual star festival held in August that celebrates the legend of the weaver star Vega and her lover Altair. Features traditional music, dance, and decorative bamboo streamers.
- Unique Decorations: Bamboo decorations are made with the city's name and wishes for the future.
- Traditional Performances: Features traditional Awa-odori dance and Shizuoka Bay fireworks.
- Star-Crossed Lovers' Tale: The festival is based on a tale of two star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi.
2. Lavender Festival in Kawazu
An annual event held from late April to early June where visitors can admire vast fields of lavender. Also features food stalls selling lavender-infused goods.
- Natural Beauty: Over a million lavender plants in bloom create a breathtaking sight.
- Lavender Products: Offers lavender ice cream, lavender lemonade, and lavender soaps.
- Cherry Blossom Trees Nearby: Visitors can also enjoy cherry blossoms during their visit.
3. Shizuoka Sake Brewery Tour
A guided tour of the city's sake breweries where visitors can learn about the sake-making process and sample different varieties.
- Historic Breweries: Visit historic, centuries-old sake breweries.
- Sake Tasting: Taste a variety of premium sake from local breweries.
- Learning Experience: Gain insights into the traditional sake-making process.
4. Shimizu Sakurazaka Festival
A spring festival held in Shimizu where participants dress up in traditional attire and march through the streets, accompanied by music and dance.
- Community Spirit: Celebrates the local community's history and traditions.
- Traditional Performance: Features traditional Awa-odori dance, music, and drama performances.
- Festival Food: Enjoy local festival food such as kakinoha-zushi (cabbage sushi).
5. Mt. Fuji Fire Festival
A unique festival held at the foot of Mt. Fuji where participants offer prayers to the mountain by setting torches alight in a dramatic spectacle.
- Mt. Fuji Connection: Offers a unique cultural experience at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
- Torch Lighting: Participants light torches and hold them aloft in a moving display.
- Spiritual Experience: Offers visitors a spiritual experience that respects the cultural significance of Mt. Fuji.
6. Shizuoka Cherry Blossom Festival
A spring festival held in various locations around Shizuoka to celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms.
- Cherry Blossom Viewing: Offers picturesque spots for cherry blossom viewing.
- Festival Food: Enjoy traditional festival food such as takoyaki (octopus balls) and yakisoba (Japanese-style fried noodles).
- Hanami Parties: Participate in hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties with friends and family.
7. Shizuoka Art Island Tour
A tour of the Naoshima art islands, where modern art installations coexist with traditional Japanese architecture.
- Artistic Experiences: Experience contemporary and cutting-edge art installations.
- Traditional Architecture: Explore traditional Japanese architecture, such as the Ishigaki House by Tadao Ando.
- Relaxation Opportunities: Find opportunities for relaxation and reflection amidst the art installations.
8. Suruga Bay Fireworks Festival
An annual fireworks festival held over the Obon holiday in mid-August, featuring a massive display launched from boats on Suruga Bay.
- Waterfront Setting: Enjoy the fireworks show from the shoreline or a cruise boat.
- Massive Display: Features one of Japan's largest fireworks displays with up to 10,000 fireworks.
- Obon Tradition: Held during the Obon holiday as a way to honor ancestors.
9. Oku-Izu Trekking Festival
A multi-day trekking festival through the scenic Oku-Izu region, showcasing the area's natural beauty and hot springs.
- Scenic Landscapes: Trek through beautiful landscapes with views of Mt. Fuji.
- Hot Spring Bathing: Relax in various hot springs along the trekking route.
- Community Engagement: Engage with local communities and learn about their traditions.
10. Shizuoka Tea Ceremony Experience
A traditional tea ceremony experience in a serene Japanese garden, where visitors can learn about the customs and techniques.
- Historic Gardens: Experience the tea ceremony in beautiful historic gardens.
- Learning Experience: Learn about the history, philosophy, and techniques of the tea ceremony.
- Relaxation Opportunity: Enjoy a peaceful and tranquil experience amidst nature.
11. Shizuoka Matsuri Odori (Dance Festival)
A lively dance festival held in July where participants from various districts perform traditional dances accompanied by music and taiko drums.
- Community Spirit: Celebrates the community's history and traditions.
- Traditional Performances: Features traditional Awa-odori dance, music, and drumming performances.
- Festival Food: Enjoy local festival food such as yakisoba (Japanese-style fried noodles) and takoyaki (octopus balls).
12. Kunozan Toshogu Shrine Lighting Festival
A winter festival held at the Kunozan Toshogu Shrine where visitors can witness the illumination of over 30,000 lanterns.
- Historic Shrine: Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site during the festival.
- Lantern Illumination: Enjoy the beautiful sight of over 30,000 lanterns illuminating the shrine grounds.
- Cultural Experience: Experience a unique cultural event that pays tribute to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo period.
13. Shizuoka Wine Tasting Tour
A tour of local wineries where visitors can learn about and taste various types of Shizuoka wine.
- Local Wineries: Visit boutique wineries that produce a variety of wines.
- Wine Tasting: Taste a selection of white, red, and sparkling wines produced in Shizuoka.
- Learning Experience: Gain insights into the winemaking process and learn about the region's vineyards.
14. Shizuoka Oyster Festival
A celebration of oysters held in November featuring oyster dishes, live music, and cultural performances.
- Oyster Delicacies: Taste a variety of oyster dishes prepared by local chefs.
- Cultural Performances: Enjoy traditional music, dance, and cultural performances.
- Seasonal Produce: Experience the flavors of seasonal produce such as miso, sake, and wasabi.
15. Kanaya Fireworks Festival
A fireworks festival held in August featuring a dazzling display of fireworks over the ocean.
- Oceanfront Setting: Enjoy the fireworks show from the beach or a boat.
- Massive Display: Features one of Shizuoka's largest fireworks displays with up to 5,000 fireworks.
- Local Culture: Experience local customs and traditions during the festival.