The Hamamatsu Festival, held every year in Hamamatsu on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th, is one of the leading festivals of the people in Hamamatsu where visitors can experience traditional Japanese culture and the vibrancy of the community.
Over 170 residents’ associations participate in the festival, during which participants can enjoy daytime activities such as flying the “first kite” in celebration and prayer for the birth and healthy growth of children, the “string-cutting fights” where villages use their will and skills to compete with each other, and the impressive “kite battles” where kites are flown high in the sky.
Then in the evening, the streets are decorated with the beautiful pageantry of the turning of the goten yatai floats, creating a bewitching atmosphere. In this way, participants can enjoy the vibrancy of the Hamamatsu Festival throughout the day and night.

Event Dates	Early May every year
Event Details	May 3 to 5, 2026 Please check the official website for more details.
Official site	http://hamamatsu-daisuki.net/matsuri/
Location (venue)	Kite battle: The kite battle venue at Nakatajima beach / Turning of the goten yatai floats: city center
Address	Kite battle: Shirowa-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture / Turning of the goten yatai floats: Kajimachi, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Price	Free admission

Region	Chubu
Category	Processions and parades, Traditional performing arts

Event organizers may change the date and time. Please check the official website.

update: Feb.16.2026