10 Events in Kanagawa Prefecture That You Shouldn't Miss

To celebrate the vitality that the tabacco industry brings to the region, the Hasano Tabacco Festival takes to the city streets in a parade with auto-mounted floats. Though a contentious subject these days, the parade sees a lot of local gusto, with locals stores and groups creating an eclectic batch of floats, featuring everything from cartoon characters to local produce.

In this display, approximately 3,000 fireworks are launched from the western coast of Katase, over a backdrop of Enoshima. Held every year in October, this event allows spectators to eperience something a bit different from summer fireworks. Star mines and other fireworks light up the Autumn sky in vivid colors, and the only 2-shaku dama (large shell fireworks) in the Shonan area are also set off. These 2-shaku dama are a sight to behold, as they produce a dynamic blooming arrangement in the sky, with a diameter of approximately 480 m accross.

This fireworks display is held every summer in the area along the banks of the Sakawa River, which flows through the heart off Odawara, Kangawa Prefecture. 6,000 To 7,500 colorful star mines, small burst fireworks and trick fireworks light up the night sky, captivating a large number of spectators. The highlight of the show comes during the finale, with a 300-meter long and 30-meter tall Niagara display that spans the Sakawa River. While a brilliant shower of light flows down over the river, large blooming fireworks are timed to launch with music, forming a gorgeous display that should be considered a single story.

This festival of light and color is known as one of the Kanto region's three largest illumination displays, and is also recognized as "a night view inheritance of Japan." The festival is composed of three different events: "Enoshima Sea Candle Light Up" (end of November to end of January), "Enoshima Winter Tulips" (January) and "Valntine Island Enoshima" (beginning of February to middle of February). 20,000 Tulips emerge amidst illumination that spans an open space of dazzling light. "Shonan no Hoseki" concludes with an art event that uses light balloons and mirror balls to produce a magical atmosphere of illumination.

The Kanagawa Shinbun Fireworks are a hallmark summer event in Yokohama. With over 15,000 rockets sent up into the sky, it draws large and eager crows to the coast of Minato Mirai. The largest of these spectacular fireworks is called the "Nishakudama", a dazzling giant that spans over 1,500 feet and dominates the skyline.

Oktoberfest is a global beer festival held in Munich, Germany from late September through October. Oktoberfests modeled on this event are also held in various places in Japan, and Yokohama Oktoberfest, which started in 2002, is particularly famous. It is held at the perfect location of the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Square, where the scent the sea fills the air, and visitors can enjoy a diverse selection of directly imported German draft beers and gourmet German cuisine. Live bands and singers from Germany also perform on the stage inside the tent every year, and the mix of drinking songs and popular hit tunes familiar to Japanese listeners help liven up the event.

The "Yokosuka Kaikokusai" is an event that first started in 2003, marking the 150th anniversary of Matthew Perry's arrival off the coast of Uraga. Amidst a variety of exciting events, such as contests and stage shows, the finale is adorned by the "Yokosuka Kaikokusai Fireworks." While only lasting 30 minutes, the event is highlighted by a non-stop array of unique fireworks, including aquatic fireworks and fireworks showing popular characters! In addition to the main grounds themselves, there are number of wide-open parks in the surroudning area, making it easy to find a viewing place.

This fireworks display began in 1951 (Showa 26) with a desire to revitalize Suigotana. Currently, this event colors the night sky of Sagamihara, and draws in a large number of people as an unmistakable sign of summer. The event is held every year on the last Saturday of August along the riverbanks upstream of Takatabashi, where approximately 8,000 fireworks are set off. Rapid shots and gorgeous star mines form high points of the show. The finale is adorned with "hyakka ryouran," vividly colored bursts that bloom in the night sky one after another. Numerous vendors line the event grounds, and as many as 400,000 people gather every year to join in on the excitement.

These fireworks have been held by the local tourist association along the Shonan Coast since Showa 26 (1951). Beautiful star mines flying over the sea at night are a highlight of the event.

Over 500,000 people from inside and outside the prefecture gather for the "Ayu Festival Fireworks" held on the first night of the Atsugi Ayu Festival. A total of roughly 10,000 fireworks are set off one after another, including trick fireworks, large shell fireworks and fireworks that form shapes and patterns in the sky, making this event one of the biggest in Kangawa Prefecture. The viewing grounds and launch site are close togheter, allowing spectators to enjoy a truly exciting time. Be sure not to miss the massive Niagara display during the finale.