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

In Hayama, drums beat somewhere every weekend during summer.

Rather than a summer festival for tourists, 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. Precisely because they are not prepared for travelers,this is when you can best see the town's usual face.We've compiled a list of festivals held in Hayama and its surroundings from August to September 2026.

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

August: Bon Odori by the Beach and in the Mountains

For the Morito Beach Bon Odori,a yagura is set up on the sandy beach. People 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葉山森戸 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 deity of a terraced rice field village. It enshrines the gods of bountiful harvests and food, and it's a shrine you can 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.

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

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

Fireworks ended in July.

Hayama's fireworks were held on July 22 (Isshiki Beach) and July 24 (Morito Beach) 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 the format of"Hayama Coast HANABI."Previously, fireworks were launched on the same day at two venues, Isshiki and Morito, 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 approximately 610 at the Morito venue. The duration is short, 10 minutes from 7:30 PM, but it's dense. The next one is expected in late July 2027. Once the dates are announced, we will update theLocal Eventspage as needed.

September: Mikoshi Enter the Sea

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

The annual grand festival of Morito Daimyojinis on September 7 (Mon) and 8 (Tue). The town's mikoshi (portable shrines) head to the sea, and theHamaori(sea descent) ritual is performed. 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 main festival on September 27 (Sun). This is the oldest shrine in Hayama, with a history said to span over 1250 years. At the main shrine, theYaotomeritual is dedicated. TheYobakari 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 imitating others.You don't need to understand explanations; just watch the movements of those around you, and 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 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 always check the organizer's announcements before heading out.
• Dates and content may change. This article contains information as of August 2026.
• Most local festivals do not have parking.Choose accommodation within walking distanceor use public transportation.

We've compiled information on how long it takes to get to 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.