Events in Kanagawa Prefecture (Hayama, Zushi)

Hayama's swimming beaches areopen from 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 Best 65 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 beyond the red torii gate and Yujiro Lighthouse.

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

This is a local festival in the Shimoyamaguchi area. It's a small festival, but portable shrines parade through the district, and in the evening, night stalls line the streets.

It's a chance to see Hayama at the end of summer from a non-touristy perspective.

For two days, Hikage Chaya, a long-established Hayama restaurant, opens its storefront for a festival once a year. This will be its 58th time.

There are famous mochi pounding, takoyaki, yakitori, and shaved ice stalls. Night stalls offer yo-yo fishing, target practice, ring toss, and rock-paper-scissors candy. There are also demonstrations of amezaiku (candy craft) and Edo-moji calligraphy, as well as performances by the Shrine Festival Music Preservation Society and Japanese taiko drums. On the adjacent La Mare side, seafood such as grilled scallops and turban shells, and tuna skewers are served.

This is not a festival created for tourists, but an event that local residents look forward to every year. From 4 PM to 9 PM. It's within walking distance after spending the day at Morito Beach.

This is a beach festival on Zushi Beach that marks the end of summer vacation. Stalls for yakitori, shaved ice, super ball scooping, goldfish scooping, ring toss, and masks. All the typical Japanese summer festival stalls line the sandy beach.

It's a short festival, only an hour and a half in the evening, so you can drop by before dinner.Postponed in case of rain (reserve day 8/30)so please be sure to check the organizer's announcement before going.

This is the annual grand festival of Morito Daimyojin, said to have been founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo. It's the most exciting two days in Hayama.

The highlight is the portable shrines. Portable shrines from all over town gather at Morito Beach, andthe "Hamamairi" (entering the sea while carrying the shrine)is performed (the exact day, whether it's the eve or the main festival, varies in different sources and is unconfirmed). It's a unique sight for a seaside town, and it's worth coming just to see it.

The beach will be crowded. Wear shoes that can get wet.

This is the most important festival at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, with a history of over 800 years. Of the three days,the Yabusame Shinji on the final dayis spectacular.

Archers of the Ogasawara school shoot arrows at targets from horseback. The power of the event is conveyed even without understanding the language, so it is recommended for international guests. Viewing is generally free, but regulations will be in place within the shrine grounds, so please follow the instructions on the day. If you want a good spot, arrive early.

This is the most important festival at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, with a history of over 800 years. Of the three days,the Yabusame Shinji on the final dayis spectacular.

Archers of the Ogasawara school shoot arrows at targets from horseback. The power of the event is conveyed even without understanding the language, so it is recommended for international guests. Viewing is generally free, but regulations will be in place within the shrine grounds, so please follow the instructions on the day. If you want a good spot, arrive early.

This is the festival of Hayama's oldest shrine, said to have a history of over 1250 years. Portable shrines are carried, and night stalls line the shrine grounds.

It's not an event created for tourists, but a festival for the local people. That's why you can see the town's everyday face. The shrine grounds are small, so hold hands with small children.

A once-a-year market where Hayama's shops gather. From food and drink to bread, miscellaneous goods, and crafts, the town's "best" items are lined up on the shrine grounds.

You can visit individual shops that are usually scattered throughout the town all at once, so if you're only going out once during your stay, this is the place. Items sell out quickly, so go in the morning.

This is a triennial art festival featuring domestic and international artists, including Zushi-based photographer Daido Moriyama. With the registered tangible cultural property "Former Honda Residence" as the main venue, the streets of Zushi and even the alleys of the Numa area become exhibition spaces.

Instead of a museum, it's a format where you encounter artworks while walking through the town, amidst historic buildings and the urban landscape. Admission is generally free, with only some exhibitions, live performances, and workshops being charged. With a long duration of three weeks, it can be easily combined with other plans.

This is an autumn festival where citizens are the main attraction. Stalls and stages from local organizations line the spacious lawn park.

Since it's not a tourist event, it truly reflects the atmosphere of the people living in this town. It's a great place to spend a day with children.

This is one of Japan's leading citizen marathons, with approximately 26,000 runners. The course runs along the coast from the Seisho Bypass to National Route 134.

While it's an event for runners,the entire Shonan area is an option for participants looking for accommodation the night before.For guests who are not running, please inform them that National Route 134 will be crowded due to traffic regulations on the day of the event.

This is a New Year's event at the fishing port. Fishermen throw tangerines from their boats, and people gathered below catch them.

It's a festival that doesn't require language, so international guests can enjoy it as is.If you're not ready to catch them, they'll hit you.It's a port, so just be careful of your footing and the direction of the throw.

One of the earliest cherry blossom viewings in Japan.More than a month earlier than Somei Yoshino, the deep pink Kawazu cherry blossoms bloom in February. This is the only time of year when you can see the rows of trees along the railway line and the yellow rapeseed blossoms simultaneously.

It's a reason to visit Hayama during the coldest and quietest season. The best viewing period may shift depending on the blooming status, so please check the official page before you go.

Azaleas are the town flower of Hayama. Approximately 15,000 azalea bushes are planted in Hananoki Park, next to the town hall, and the entire hillside is colored from mid to late April.

Admission is free, and you can enter in the morning or evening. While there are festivals in some years, it is essentially a place to quietly view flowers. The timing of the bloom varies each year, so please check Hayama Town's blooming status page before you go.

A giant screen is set up on the sandy beach, and movies are shown from dusk. Zushi Beach becomes an outdoor cinema for two weeks during Golden Week.

There are also music and food stalls, and the main attraction is the "time spent on the beach" rather than the movie itself. It gets cold after sunset, so bring something to wear and a mat.Screenings depend on the weather,so it's best to check the official announcement on the day before heading out.

A town-wide art festival that has continued for over 30 years. Instead of art museums,private homes, ateliers, shops, and gardens become the venuesWith a map in hand, you walk through the town, enter open houses to see the artworks, and talk with the creators. These three weeks offer the best glimpse into the essence of Hayama. Since venues may be open or closed depending on the day, please check the program on the official website for opening days before visiting.

With a map in hand, you walk through the town, enter open houses to see the artworks, and talk with the creators. These three weeks offer the best glimpse into the essence of Hayama. Since venues may be open or closed depending on the day, please check the program on the official website for opening days before visiting.

This is one of Shonan's largest fireworks festivals, concentrating about 7,000 fireworks into less than an hour.Its characteristic is that it's held in late May,not in summer.

The grand finale, perfectly synchronized with music, is a highlight. Zushi Beach is about 10-15 minutes by car from Hayama. On the day of the event, surrounding roads get very congested, so we recommend using public transport or traveling early.

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

Isshiki Beach was selected as one of CNN's "World's Best 65 Beaches" and is also included in the Ministry of the Environment's "100 Best Bathing Beaches." Its location next to the Imperial Villa makes it quiet. Morito Beach is the largest in Hayama, with well-equipped beach huts, and in the evening, you can see Mt. Fuji beyond the red torii gate and Yujiro Lighthouse.

Outside of the opening period, there are no lifeguards. If you plan to swim, do so during the designated opening period.

This is the guardian festival of Zushi. The Edo-period portable shrine, donated in 1937, with its karahafu gable and urushi lacquer, parades through the city accompanied by flutes and drums.

If Hayama's festival is a "beach festival," this is a "town festival." In terms of the splendor of the portable shrine itself, it is the best in this area.

A summer tradition in Hayama. Fireworks are launched intensively for 10 minutes at two venues: Isshiki Beach and Morito Beach.

The long-running "Hayama Coast Fireworks Festival" has been suspended, and since 2025, it has been held as "Hayama Coast HANABI." Previously, both venues were on the same day, but to avoid congestion,they are now launched on separate days.The charm of this town's fireworks is being able to look up at fireworks launched from over the sea from a very close distance on the beach. Since the launch time is short, it is recommended to be on the beach 30 minutes before the start time.

The charm of this town's fireworks is being able to look up at fireworks launched from over the sea from a very close distance on the beach. Since the launch time is short, it is recommended to be on the beach 30 minutes before the start time.

This market is held in front of the fisheries cooperative only on Sunday mornings. Vegetables, fish, bread, cakes, and Hayama specialties are available.

It ends in 2 hours, and good items sell out quickly.Guests checking out on Sunday morning can also be directed here as a place to stop by on their way home.