Local Events

Hayama's beaches are openfrom early July to the end of August. During this period, lifeguards are on duty and beach houses are open.

Isshiki Beach was selected as one of CNN's "World's 65 Best Beaches" and is also included in the Ministry of the Environment's "100 Best Swimming Beaches." Its location next to the Imperial Villa makes it quiet. Morito Beach is the widest in Hayama, has excellent beach houses, and in the evening, you can see Mt. Fuji over the red torii gate and Yujiro Lighthouse.

Outside of the season, there are no lifeguards at the beach. If you plan to swim, do so during the open season.

This is a Bon Odori dance held on the sandy beach. A yagura (scaffold) is set up against the backdrop of the sunset over the sea and Mt. Fuji.

One of the most picturesque nights of Hayama's summer. There's no fireworks-like crowd, so it's a manageable size even for families with small children.

This is the festival of the guardian deity of the terraced rice field village. It enshrines the god of bountiful harvests and food, and is a shrine you'll visit during the Wataya terraced rice field walk.

Completely different from the flashy festivals on the seaside, this is a quiet festival on the mountain side. Coming here, you'll realize that Hayama is not just a "sea town."

This is the manga museum of Shotaro Ishinomori, located on a sandbar in the Kitakami River. Original drawings of Kamen Rider and Cyborg 009 are on permanent display.

Special exhibitions change every few months, so the content will be different even on a second visit.Destination for rainy dayscan also be used as.

It's within walking distance from the Ishinomaki accommodations. Character statues line the street outside the museum (Ishinomaki Manga Road), so you won't get bored on the way.

This is an Obon event where lanterns are floated on Matsushima Bay to send off ancestors. Lights and fireworks combine on the sea of one of Japan's Three Scenic Views.

The 15th is the eve festival, with stalls, Bon Odori, and taiko drums. The 16th is the main event of the Daiseigakie, where lanterns are floated after sutra chanting. Both nights feature memorial fireworks for about 15 minutes.

These are not fireworks for tourism, but rather farewell fires. It is customary to watch them quietly.

This is a music festival where the entire city becomes a stage. Performances begin simultaneously at dozens of locations throughout the city, from under the zelkova trees on Jozenji-dori to parks and building eaves.

Not only professionals perform. Student bands and working adult bands also stand on the same street corners. No tickets are needed. Just walk around and stop where you like the sound.

Although it's called jazz, it actually mixes rock, gospel, and wind instrument music.

This is a festival where soba-producing regions from all over Japan gather at Matsumoto Castle Park, and you can compare various types of handmade soba.

Not only Shinshu soba, but soba from various regions is available. Since it's eaten outdoors while viewing the castle, it's weather-dependent.

Groups from all over Japan play taiko drums with the National Treasure castle tower as a backdrop.

For the evening stage, the illuminated Matsumoto Castle itself becomes the background. It's an event that doesn't require language, so it's easy to recommend to international visitors.

It's four summer days in Kagurazaka. The first two days are theHozuki Market, and the latter two days are theAwa Odori Dance Festival.

For Awa Odori, the slope itself becomes the venue. Dancers come down the narrow street, so the distance is very close. Groups from Tokushima also participate.

The view differs between the top and bottom of the slope. If your accommodation is halfway up the slope, you can go out before it gets crowded and return when you're tired.