Hamamatsu Festival 浜松まつり

The Hamamatsu Festival is a popular event featuring up to 174 kites, flown high, battling in the skies. The event takes place in late spring during the holiday period known as Golden Week.

At night there's a parade of floats, creating a whole different style of festivities.

The Hamamatsu Festival kite-battle venue is accessed from Hamamatsu Station on the Tokaido Main Line and Tokaido Shinkansen.

From Tokyo Station , take either the Tokaido Main Line or Tokaido Shinkansen to go directly to Hamamatsu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture . The bullet train takes about 100 minutes, whereas the regular trains will take over four hours.

From Hamamatsu Station a shuttle bus takes visitors out to the kite-battle venue.

Hamamatsu Festival's origins date back to the 16th century when the birth of an heir to the domain was celebrated with a kite display. The tradition is echoed around the country when carp flags are flown on Children's Day on May 5, the climax of the festival.

Up to 174 large kites take to the skies. The highlight is a battle between kites. The aim is to cut your opponent's string using friction alone, a battle is for experts only.

In the evening the streets are full of about 83 pulled festival floats accompanied by traditional music. Each float is elaborately carved and decorated, and they are referred to as “palaces.”

Other attractions include dancing and drum and bell performances. Hamamatsu has a substantial non-Japanese community who take part in the festival.

The latest information may differ, so please check the official website