2026, Hayama Festivals — Following the Town's Rhythm from Summer to Autumn

In Hayama, drums beat somewhere every weekend during the summer.

Rather than a tourist summer festival, these are local community festivals. A yagura (scaffolding for dancing) stands in the shrine grounds, food stalls line the elementary school playground, and local children run around in yukata. Because they are not prepared for tourists,this is the best time to see the town's everyday face.We've compiled a list of festivals held in and around Hayama from August to September 2026.

We've compiled a list of festivals held in and around Hayama from August to September 2026.

August: Bon Odori by the Beach and in the Mountains

For theMorito Beach Bon Odori, a yagura is set up on the sandy beach. People dance with the sunset over the sea and Mt. Fuji in the background. It's one of the most picturesque nights of Hayama's summer. Roopt Hayama Morito is a 3-minute walk away, and the beach right outside the accommodation becomes the venue.

Even though it's the same Bon Odori,Sugiyama Shrinehas a completely different atmosphere. This is the tutelary shrine of a terraced rice field village. It enshrines the gods of bountiful harvests and food, and it's a shrine we visit during the Wataya terraced rice field walk. Bon Odori is on the night of the 14th, and the annual grand festival is on the 15th and 16th. It's a quiet festival, in contrast to the liveliness of the seaside. It's a 2-minute walk from Wataya.

Comparing these two clearly shows that Hayama is not just a 'sea town'.

Please note thatthe Lantern Floating Ceremony is held on Morito Coast on the night of August 16th every year.For information on the 2026 event and times, please check the announcements from theHayama Town Tourism Association.of the Hayama Town Tourism Association.

Fireworks are over in July

Hayama's fireworks were held on July 22 (Isshiki Coast) and July 24 (Morito Coast) in 2026 and have already concluded.

There's a bit of history you should know. The former 'Hayama Coast Fireworks Festival' was suspended and, from 2025, changed to'Hayama Coast HANABI'.Previously, fireworks were launched on the same day at both Isshiki and Morito venues, but now they are held on separate days. If you search by the old name, you might not find information, so please use the new name when searching.

In 2026, approximately 480 fireworks were launched at the Isshiki venue and about 610 at the Morito venue. The duration is short, only 10 minutes from 7:30 PM, but it's very dense. The next one is expected in late July 2027. Once the dates are announced, we will update theLocal Eventspage regularly.

September: Mikoshi Enter the Sea

Even after summer ends, Hayama's festivals continue. September sees a series of annual shrine grand festivals.

The annual grand festival of Morito Daimyojin Shrineis on September 7 (Mon) and 8 (Tue). The town's mikoshi (portable shrines) head to the sea, and theHamaori(entering the sea) ritual takes place. This event, where the bearers enter the sea with the mikoshi, marks the end of Hayama's summer. Stalls line the approach to the shrine.

The annual grand festival of Moriyama Shrinehas its eve festival on September 26 (Sat) and the main festival on September 27 (Sun). This is Hayama's oldest shrine, said to have a history of over 1250 years. At the main shrine, theYaotomeritual is dedicated. TheYokari Shinji, which begins with the water-drawing ceremony, is designated as a town intangible folk cultural property.

Recommended precisely because no words are needed

Sometimes, international guests tell us they want to experience a Japanese festival.

Hayama's local festivals only have Japanese announcements and signs. Still, we recommend them becauseyou can join the Bon Odori by watching and imitating.You don't need to listen to explanations; just by watching the movements of those around you, you can dance within 10 minutes. You can also buy yakisoba and shaved ice from the stalls by pointing.

Many guests find that blending into a festival not tailored for tourists, not as a tourist but as someone who 'just happened to be there,' creates the most memorable experience.

Before You Go

• In case of rain or stormy weather, events may be canceled or postponed.Please always check the organizer's announcements before heading out.
• Dates and content may change. This article's information is current as of August 2026.
• Most local festivals do not have parking.Choose accommodation within walking distanceor use public transportation.

We have compiled information on how long it takes to reach each festival from Roopt's accommodations, along with a year's worth of schedules, on theLocal Eventspage. Please take a look when planning your stay.

Local festivals tell you more honestly what a town is like than any brochure.