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 summer festival for tourists, these are local community festivals. Scaffolding stands in the shrine precincts, food stalls line the elementary school grounds, 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 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 theMorito Beach Bon Odori, scaffolding 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."

Also,the Lantern Floating Festival is held annually on the night of August 16th at Morito Beach.Please check the announcements from theHayama Town Tourism Associationfor details on its implementation and times in 2026.

Fireworks ended in July

Hayama's fireworks for 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 searching.

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 theLocal Eventspage as needed.

September: Mikoshi Enter the Sea

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

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 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 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 dedicated. 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.

Hayama's local festivals only have Japanese announcements and signs. Still, we recommend them becauseyou can join the Bon Odori circle by imitating others.You don't need to hear explanations; just watching the hand movements of those around you, you can dance in 10 minutes. You can buy yakisoba and shaved ice at 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 always 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 a list of how long it takes to get to each festival from each Roopt accommodation, 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.