Shizuoka stretches from the slopes of Mt Fuji to the beaches of the Izu Peninsula, and its 2026 event calendar is as varied as its geography: giant kites battling over Hamamatsu’s dunes in spring, one of Japan’s premier fireworks competitions in summer, marine fireworks over Atami Bay across much of the year, and Japan’s earliest cherry blossoms on the Izu coast. Add the climbing season on Fuji itself, and Shizuoka rewards a well-timed 2026 trip. This guide gathers the events worth planning around, with a month-by-month calendar at the end.
A note on dates: Confirmed 2026 dates are given where announced. Festival and firework dates can shift for weather or organiser decisions, and ticketed events sell out — always confirm on the official website before building a day around one.
Hamamatsu Festival (浜松まつり) — May 3–5, 2026 ⭐
Held on the fixed dates of May 3–5 during Golden Week, this is one of Japan’s most exhilarating festivals. By day, roughly 170 neighbourhood teams fly enormous kites in fierce kite battles over the Nakatajima sand dunes, trying to cut each other’s lines in swirling sea winds; by night, ornate wheeled yatai floats parade through the city to trumpet and drum. The festival marks the birth of first children and is loud, physical, and hugely local. Free to watch; the dune battles are the daytime highlight.
Fukuroi Enshu Fireworks (ふくろい遠州の花火) — July 25, 2026 ⭐
A national fireworks-masters competition and one of the Tokai region’s finest displays, held over the Haranoya River in Fukuroi City. 2026 date: July 25, 19:20–21:00. Top pyrotechnicians from across Japan compete, and the scale — tens of thousands of shells including two-shaku giants — is exceptional. Paid seating sells out; a 20-minute walk from JR Fukuroi or Aino stations.
Atami Marine Fireworks (熱海海上花火大会) — multiple dates
Unusually, the resort town of Atami holds its bay fireworks on many dates through the year, launched into the natural amphitheatre of the harbour so the sound echoes off the surrounding hills. 2026 summer dates include July 20, 26, and August 5, 9, 18, 24 (20:15–20:40), with autumn dates September 13, October 12 & 25, and November 8 & 23. Because there are so many dates, it’s one of the easiest major fireworks displays to build a trip around — pair it with an Atami onsen stay.
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (河津桜まつり) — February 2026
Japan’s earliest cherry blossoms bloom on the Izu Peninsula: the deep-pink Kawazu-zakura line the Kawazu River for about a month from early February, weeks ahead of the rest of the country, with a festival, food stalls, and evening light-ups. A rare chance to see full-bloom cherries in winter. Confirm the 2026 festival dates, which track the bloom.
Mt Fuji Climbing Season — July to early September
The Mt Fuji climbing season runs roughly early July to early September, when the trails and mountain huts are open. Shizuoka’s three trailheads (Fujinomiya, Gotemba, Subashiri) climb the southern face; reservations, timed-entry systems and a climbing fee now apply — check the official Fuji climbing site before planning. Even without climbing, the mountain is Shizuoka’s year-round icon, seen from Miho no Matsubara, the shinkansen, and the tea fields.
Other Events
- Shizuoka Festival (静岡まつり) — the city’s spring festival around early April, with a grand daimyo costume procession and cherry blossoms at Sunpu Castle Park
- Shimizu Minato Festival (清水みなと祭り) — a August port festival in Shizuoka City with the Kaidan-ya dance and fireworks
- Yaizu Port Festival and coastal summer festivals through August
Cherry Blossom Season (Spring 2026)
Beyond the early Kawazu blooms (February), Shizuoka’s main season peaks in late March to early April.
- Sunpu Castle Park (Shizuoka City) — cherries around the moats, timed with the Shizuoka Festival
- Fuji & cherry views — Fujinomiya and the Fuji-Motosuko area, where blossoms frame the mountain
- Izu hillsides and river valleys
Autumn Leaves (Nov 2026)
- Sumatakyo Gorge (Kawanehon) — the “Dream Suspension Bridge” over emerald water framed by autumn colour, peaking mid-to-late November
- Umegashima and the Oi River valleys — mountain foliage
- Shuzenji (Izu) — a temple town beautiful in autumn
Winter & New Year
- Hatsumode at Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha (Fujinomiya), the head of Japan’s Sengen shrines
- Nihondaira and coastal viewpoints for a “first sunrise” with Mt Fuji
- Atami and Izu onsen at their cosy winter best; Atami’s winter fireworks and illuminations
Month-by-Month Calendar (2026)
| Month | Key events |
|---|---|
| January | Hatsumode at Fujisan Sengen Taisha; Atami winter fireworks & illumination |
| February | Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (early Feb) |
| March | Kawazu blossoms continue; main cherry season begins late month |
| April | Shizuoka Festival (early April); cherry blossom peak |
| May | Hamamatsu Festival May 3–5 |
| June | Rainy season; hydrangeas; tea harvest |
| July | Mt Fuji climbing opens; Fukuroi Enshu Fireworks Jul 25; Atami fireworks (Jul 20, 26) |
| August | Atami fireworks (multiple); Shimizu Minato Festival; summer festivals |
| September | Mt Fuji season ends; Atami autumn fireworks begin |
| October | Atami fireworks (Oct 12, 25); early autumn |
| November | Autumn leaves (Sumatakyo); Atami fireworks (Nov 8, 23) |
| December | Winter onsen; year-end; New Year prep |
Practical Tips
- Book ahead for Golden Week and July. The Hamamatsu Festival (May 3–5) and the Fukuroi fireworks (July 25) fill accommodation; the Atami fireworks nights book up too.
- Confirm every date on the official site. Firework dates depend on weather; Mt Fuji climbing now requires reservations and a fee — check the official Fuji site early.
- Atami’s many firework dates are a bonus. If one is rained out or sold out, another is often just weeks away.
- Kawazu blossoms are weather-led. The February bloom shifts each year — track the forecast before you go.
- Summer heat. July–August events are hot and humid; water, a hat, and a fan are essentials.
