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

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

Rather than summer festivals for tourists, these are neighborhood festivals. Stages are set up in shrine grounds, food stalls line elementary schoolyards, and local children run around in yukata. Precisely because they are not prepared for travelers, these festivals arethe best time to see the town's usual face.

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

August: Bon Odori on the Beach and in the Mountains

For the Morito Beach Bon Odori,a stage is set up on the sandy beach. You dance with the sunset over the sea and Mount 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 is the venue.

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 the Wataya terraced rice field walk. Bon Odori is on the night of the 14th, and the annual 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.

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

Please note thatthe Lantern Floating Ceremony is usually held on Morito Beach on the night of August 16th. For information on whether it will be held in 2026 and at what time, please check the announcements from theHayama 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, 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 looking.

In 2026, approximately 480 fireworks were launched at the Isshiki venue and about 610 at the Morito venue. The duration is short, 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 on theLocal Eventspage.

September: Portable Shrines Enter the Sea

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

The annual festival of Morito Daimyojinis on September 7th (Mon) and 8th (Tue). Portable shrines from the town head to the sea for theHamaoriritual. This event, where bearers enter the sea with the shrines, marks the end of Hayama's summer. Stalls line the approach to the shrine.

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

Recommended precisely because no words are needed

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

Hayama's neighborhood festivals have all their guidance and signs only in Japanese. Still, we recommend them becauseyou can join the Bon Odori circle by watching and imitating. You don't need explanations; just watch the hand movements of those around you, and you'll be dancing in 10 minutes. You can 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," is what leaves the most lasting memories.

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 are subject to change. This article contains information as of August 2026.
• Neighborhood festivals usually do not have parking.Choose accommodation within walking distanceor use public transportation.

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

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