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

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

Rather than a summer festival for tourists, these are local community festivals. Scaffolding is erected in the shrine grounds, food stalls line the elementary school playground, and local children run around in yukata. Precisely because they are not prepared for travelers,this is the time when you can best 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 the Morito Beach Bon Odori,a scaffold is set up on the sandy beach. You dance with the sunset over the sea and Mount Fuji beyond it as your backdrop. It's one of the most picturesque nights of Hayama's summer. The venue is the sandy beach right outside Roopt Hayama Morito, a 3-minute walk away.

Even though it's the same Bon Odori, theSugiyama 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 Wataya's 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 vibrancy of the seaside. It's a 2-minute walk from Wataya.

Seeing these two side-by-side clearly shows that Hayama is not just a "sea town."

Please note thatlantern floating is held annually on the night of August 16th at Morito Beach.For information on whether it will be held in 2026 and the times,please check the announcements from the Hayama Town Tourism Association.please check the announcements from the Hayama Town Tourism Association.

Fireworks ended in July

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

There's a bit of history you should know. The former "Hayama Coast Fireworks Festival" was suspended and, starting in 2025,it changed to "Hayama Coast HANABI."What used to be held on the same day at two venues, Isshiki and Morito, is now held on separate days. If you search by the old name, you might not find the information, so please use the new name when searching.

In 2026, approximately 480 fireworks were launched at the Isshiki venue and approximately 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 them regularly on theLocal Eventspage.

September: Mikoshi Enter the Sea

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

The annual grand festival of Morito Daimyojinis on September 7th (Mon) and 8th (Tue). The town's mikoshi (portable shrines) head to the sea, and theHamaoriceremony takes place. This event, where the mikoshi bearers enter the sea, 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 26th (Sat) and the main festival on September 27th (Sun). This is the oldest shrine in Hayama, said to have over 1250 years of history. At the main shrine, theYaotomeritual is performed. TheYogakari Shinto ritual,which begins with fetching sacred water, 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.

The local festivals in Hayama only have Japanese 안내 and signs. Nevertheless, we recommend them becauseyou can join the Bon Odori circle by imitating others.You don't need to listen to explanations; if you watch what others are doing, you can dance in 10 minutes. You can also buy yakisoba and shaved ice from the stalls by simply pointing.

Many guests find that blending into a festival not tailored for tourists, not as a traveler 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 be sure to check the organizer's announcements before heading out.
• Dates and content are subject to 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've compiled how long it takes to get to each festival from Roopt's accommodations, along with a year's worth of upcoming events, 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.