The Hiroshima Flower Festival, held over three days of Golden Week each May, is the city’s largest annual celebration and draws well over a million people. Begun in 1977, it fills the broad Peace Boulevard with flower-decked floats, marching bands, dance teams and stages of music running from the city centre toward the Peace Park, culminating in a huge floral monument. Its founding spirit was explicitly one of peace and recovery, and the effect is striking: the same city that mourns each August turns bright, loud and joyful in spring, and the festival is free and open to everyone.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Naka-ku, Hiroshima |
| Hours | Three days over Golden Week in early May |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours |
| Best time | Early May, Golden Week; check exact dates |
What to Expect
- Flower-decked floats and parades on Peace Boulevard.
- Marching bands, dance teams and music stages.
- A huge floral monument as the centrepiece.
- A bright, joyful side of the city, free to all.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Peace Memorial Park at the boulevard’s end.
- Pair with okonomiyaki at the festival stalls.
- Read our Hiroshima overview .
Getting There
- By tram: central stops along Peace Boulevard; expect diversions.
- On foot: the whole route is central and walkable.
Tips
Check the exact dates, which fall within Golden Week in early May and shift slightly each year, and book accommodation early as this is one of Japan’s busiest travel weeks anyway. Go in the afternoon for the main parades, expect very large crowds along the boulevard, and use it as a bright counterpoint if you’re also visiting the Peace Park and museum.
