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 65 Best 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 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. If you plan to swim, do so during the open period.

This is a Bon Odori dance held on the beach. A yagura (scaffold) is set up with the sunset over the sea and Mt. Fuji in the background.

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 gods of bountiful harvests and food, and it's the shrine visited during Wataya's terraced rice field walk.

It's a quiet mountain festival, completely different from the lively festivals on the seaside. Coming here reveals that Hayama is not just a "sea town."

At the end of Obon, lanterns are floated offshore from Morito Beach to send off ancestors. After sunset, the lights gradually drift away offshore.

This is not a flashy event. It's something to be watched quietly. Please watch from the beach without entering the water or touching the lanterns.

This is a local festival in the Shimoyamaguchi area. Although it's a small festival, a portable shrine (mikoshi) parades through the district, and evening stalls line the streets.

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

This is a beach festival at 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)Therefore, please be sure to check the organizer's announcement before going.

This is the biggest annual 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 shrine (mikoshi). Mikoshi from all over town gather at Morito Beach,and the "Hamairi" (entering the sea while carrying the mikoshi)is performed (the exact day, whether it's the eve festival or the main festival, is uncertain as descriptions vary in different sources). It's a sight unique to a seaside town, and it's worth coming just to see this.

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 (horseback archery ritual) on the final dayis spectacular.

Archers of the Ogasawara school shoot arrows at targets from a galloping horse. The power of it is conveyed even without understanding the language, so it's recommended for international guests. Generally, it's free viewing, but regulations will be in place within the shrine grounds, so please follow the guidance on the day. If you want to see it from 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 (horseback archery ritual) on the final dayis spectacular.

Archers of the Ogasawara school shoot arrows at targets from a galloping horse. The power of it is conveyed even without understanding the language, so it's recommended for international guests. Generally, it's free viewing, but regulations will be in place within the shrine grounds, so please follow the guidance on the day. If you want to see it from a good spot, arrive early.

This is the festival of Hayama's oldest shrine, said to have over 1250 years of history. Portable shrines (mikoshi) 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 everyday face of this town. The shrine grounds are narrow, so hold hands with small children.

A once-a-year market where Hayama's shops gather. From food and bread to miscellaneous goods and crafts, the town's 'best' offerings line 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. Things sell out quickly, so go in the morning.

This is a triennial art festival featuring domestic and international artists, including Zushi-resident photographer Daido Moriyama. The former Honda Residence, a registered tangible cultural property, serves as the main venue, with exhibitions also held throughout Zushi's streets and the alleys of the Numa area.

Instead of a museum, you encounter artworks in historical buildings and throughout the town as you walk. Admission is generally free, with only some exhibitions, live performances, and workshops requiring a fee. 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 by local organizations line the spacious lawn park.

Since it's not a tourist event, you'll get a direct feel for the atmosphere of the people living in this town. It's a good 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 pre-race accommodation.For guests not running, please inform them that National Route 134 will be crowded due to traffic regulations on the day.

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

It's a festival that doesn't require language, so international visitors can enjoy it as is.If you're not ready to catch them, they will hit you.It's a port, so watch your footing and the direction of the throws.

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

It provides a reason to visit Hayama during the coldest and quietest season. The best viewing period varies depending on the blooming status, so 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 slope turns colorful from mid to late April.

Admission is free, and you can enter in the morning or evening. There are years when a festival is held, but it is basically a "place to quietly view flowers." The timing of the bloom varies each year, so please check the Hayama Town blooming status page before you go.

A giant screen is set up on the 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 "spending time on the beach" rather than the movie itself. It gets cold after sunset, so please bring something to wear and a mat.Screenings depend on the weatherTherefore, it is 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 venuesas they are.

Walk around town with a map, enter open houses to view artworks, and talk with the artists. These three weeks offer the best glimpse into the essence of Hayama. Venues may be open or closed on different days, so please check the program on the official website for opening days before visiting.

This is a major fireworks display in Shonan, concentrating about 7,000 fireworks into less than an hour.A distinctive feature is that it's held in late May,not summer.

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

Hayama's swimming 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 Beaches 65" 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 well-equipped beach huts, and in the evening, you can see Mt. Fuji beyond the red torii gate and Yujiro Lighthouse.

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

This is the guardian festival of Zushi. The Edo-period portable shrine, donated in 1937, with its karahafu (undulating gable) and true lacquer finish, 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" was suspended, and from 2025, it has been held as "Hayama Coast HANABI." Previously, both venues were on the same day, but to avoid congestion,they are now held on separate days.The beauty of this town's fireworks is that you can look up at them from the sandy beach, very close to where they are launched over the sea. Since the launch time is short, it is recommended to go to the beach 30 minutes before the start time.

The beauty of this town's fireworks is that you can look up at them from the sandy beach, very close to where they are launched over the sea. Since the launch time is short, it is recommended to go to the beach 30 minutes before the start time.

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

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