Things to do in Shizuoka Prefecture, Chubu: The Best Cultural Events

This event is held in Shizuoka at the beginning of November every year and brings numerous artists from around the world together. It began in 1992 and has now became a signature Shizuoka event. Held principally at Sunpu Castle Park and sites around the city, various enchanting performances are put on. Performers are grouped into three categories: of those, the performer scoring the most points in the World Cup category is crowned as that year's champion.

Of the cherry blossom trees, the "kawa-zakura" is known as an early bloomer. Starting in late January, its rich pink petals can be enjoyed for close to a month. The Kawazakura Festival begins with the blooming of the trees, and close to 800 trees on a 4km stretch along the Kawazu River burst forth in pink. At night, the area along the banks of the river becomes a pedestrian paradise, with beautiful illuminations. This is also true at Mine Onsen, where the trees are lit up. Seeing the cherry trees emerge out of the darkness is mysterious and beautiful. There are foot baths along the road where you can take a soak, and local specialties are on sale, as well as stalls serving food and drink. There are also special performances on stage.

As the nanohana (rape blossoms) and early-blooming Minamino kawazu-sakura cherries open, this festival is held from early February through March in Minami-izu. Rows of cherry blossoms span 4.2Km along the banks of the Aono River, with nearly 800 trees in a rich and vivid pink. Beneath them are the fallen rape blossoms, creating a carpet of yellow and a colorful world of spring. At night, the cherry blossoms are illuminated, and cherry blossom tea is offered, with sweet sake and other refreshments also for sale. Local delicacies are also sold, a marathon event is put on, andf much more.

This model and toy trade fair is held in Shizuoka City every May and features plastic models, radio-controlled toys, model trains, and more. It is the largest model hobby event in the country, gathering together the latest products and promotional items, including new products that have not yet been released. At each exhibition corner, visitors can directly ask questions of staff members from the manufacturers, and some of the items are available for purchase. In additional to the wide variety of model-related events, there will also be an "attraction corner" and workspace setup where visitors can get first hand experience with products that catch their interest. The fair is certain to delight the whole family, kids and adults alike.

The Hamamatsu Festival, also called the "Kite Festival," is held to coincide with Boy's Day (May 5). This custom of launching the first kite of the festival traces its roots to the Edo period. A must-see event is a battle of massive kites. Each municipality launches one with its own crest, and the goal is to maneuver it into other kites and sever their cords. The result is a spectacular performance. Lofted high on the wind, the kites battle it out high in the sky, and spectators go wild. In the evening, illuminated shrines make the rounds.

Records state that, after his retirement, Tokugawa Ieyasu took his retainers to Shizuoka to see the cherry blossoms. Today, an annual festival is held to mark the coming of spring. Around Sunpu Castle, an amazing historical parade is reenacted, almost as if you are seeing a history book come to life. The story revolves around influential figures going to see the cherries, and there are five key scenes set up, spanning from a luxurious feast under the trees to a decisive conclusion with a large torch parade and bonfire. At each location, an amazing historical story unfolds. Each year, a different famous figure assumes the role of Tokugawa Ieyasu himself.

In early August, a three-day festival is held in Kiyomizu, Shizuoka Prefecture. The main street running through Kiyomizu is opened to some 30,000 residents, who engage in unique dances like the "Minato Kappore" and the "Kappo Reggae." There are also traditional local dances like the Jiro-cho Odori, the Minato Odori, and the Kiyomizu Odori, dances special to this area. The last day concludes with a fireworks show, with a range of complex fireworks and high-speed blasts being shot off from aboard pontoons on the water. The colorful fireworks light up the night sky and reflect on the water -- marvelous!

In 1953, a shopping arcade in Kiyomizu, Shizuoka assumed a central role in starting this festival as a means of reconstruction after the war and of promoting commerce. Colorful bamboo decorations crafted by children line the streets around Kiyomizu Ginza, Kiyomizu Station Ginza, the arcades, and local businesses. Today, this event is a harbinger of summer in Kiyomizu. During the event, the local deity is transported from Oshiba Shrine to Tanata Shrine, a shrine in the Ginza arcade in front of Kiyomizu Station. People throng to donate small sheafs of paper inscribed with a wish. There is also a competition for the best bamboo decoration, and a Kiyomizu original, the Chibi Maruko-chan Festival.

The Hatsukaesai at Sengen Shrine is Shizuoka City's largest festival. It goes back over 450 years and was considered a major rite of the Sunpu Castle since as far back as the rule of the Imagawa clan. It is held when the cherry blossoms reach their full bloom each year. Portable shrines are paraded about and the local deity is transferred from one point to another. A court dance performed by a child, a rite that is a designated intangible folk culture asset of Shizuoka Prefecture, is also put on. Close to 120 shops and stalls appear along Sengen-dori and within the shrine grounds, plying their wares.