House to the majestic Mount Fuji and situated only one hour by high-speed practice from Tokyo, Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture is ready to welcome a number of thrilling occasions this yr – from Hina doll exhibitions and firefly viewing to spectacular flower festivals and awe-inspiring fireworks shows. Right here, the crew at Tourism Shizuoka Japan summarizes among the must-see occasions within the area for every season…
Winter – early blooming, Daruma doll market and Hina doll exhibitions
Shizuoka is house to among the earliest cherry blossoms in Japan, and the Itokawa Promenade Sakura Competition (early January to early February) and the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Competition (February) supply improbable alternatives to see them. Guests can anticipate enormous shows of well-known flowers, with deeper pink petals flooding the streets, alongside stalls promoting native specialties, Japanese road meals and handicrafts.
The Fuji Bishamonten Competition is held at Myohoji Temple on the foot of Mount Fuji. This yr the competition is held in February (it’s held in January or February because the date varies in response to the Lunar New Yr calendar). The competition can also be one of many largest Daruma doll markets in Japan. Many stalls are current, together with Daruma doll retailers, and guests can get their very personal Daruma doll from the assorted varieties obtainable, which is taken into account a fortunate talisman to the Japanese.
In Japan, the Doll Competition (Hina Matsuri) is held on March 3 when households rejoice their feminine kids and pray for his or her continued well being and happiness by displaying conventional Hina dolls of their houses. Earlier than the competition, each winter from January to March, Kasuisai Temple holds the Kasuisai Doll Competition, which attracts enormous crowds of people that need to catch a glimpse of the traditional temple adorned with greater than 1,000 intricately crafted dolls – the most important exhibition of its variety in Japan.
Spring – fireflies, enormous dragons and flower arrangements
In commemoration of its twentieth anniversary, Lake Hamana Flower Expo 2024 is scheduled to be held in two places: Hamamatsu Flower Park from March 23 to June 16 and Hamanako Backyard Park from April 6 to June 2. Set in opposition to the gorgeous backdrop of Lake Hamana, the colourful floral occasion will showcase the gardens of world-renowned backyard designers, together with winners of the Chelsea Flower Present.
In early Might, guests can witness the Hamamatsu Competition, one of the vital well-known occasions held throughout consecutive nationwide holidays referred to as Golden Week. The competition, which dates again 450 years, is held to rejoice the beginning of the first-born baby within the household. In the course of the day, the occasion sees giant historically adorned kites battling within the sky on the waterfront, whereas as night time falls, glittering floats parade by means of the streets of the town centre, every representing an area district or district.
A really magical sight, watching the fireflies at Okawa Onsen Takegasawa Park is a must-see in early June. Stuffed with numerous wildlife, the park comes alive at night time throughout these months with the unmistakable bioluminescent glow of your favourite bugs. Native specialties reminiscent of wasabi and Japanese road meals stalls will also be loved within the park, including to the unforgettable expertise.
Summer season – 3 million flowers, fireworks and Mount Fuji
The historic port metropolis of Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula prides itself on the Hydrangea Competition in June. The competition is held in Shimoda Park on a hillside overlooking the bay. Three million hydrangea flowers adorn the park, and guests can benefit from the colourful show.
Shizuoka is known for its fireworks, and the most well-liked summer time occasion is the Fukuroi Enshu Fireworks Competition (July). The competition can also be referred to as “Nationwide Event of Fireworks Specialists”. High pyrotechnicians collect from throughout Japan to compete. Guests can anticipate awe-inspiring exhibitions and plenty of bang!
July additionally marks the beginning of Mount Fuji’s climbing season, with locals and guests alike flocking to climb the well-known mountain. There are three totally different routes in Shizuoka for mountaineering, ranging in skill and period.
Autumn – road efficiency and leaves
The DAIDOGEI World Cup, an occasion devoted to the artwork of road efficiency, is held in November within the metropolis of Shizuoka. Held yearly for over 30 years underneath the nickname ‘The Metropolis is a Theatre’, this worldwide occasion is one in all Asia’s greatest road efficiency festivals, bringing collectively probably the most proficient road performers from world wide.
In direction of the top of the yr, Shizuoka’s autumn leaves are simply as stunning as its well-known cherry blossoms, and the right solution to admire them is the Atami Baien Momiji Competition, held from mid-November to early December. The backyard the place the competition is held is known for its plum blossoms within the spring, and guests can witness the leaves of the final leaves in Japan altering to their autumn colours. Spectacular orange and pink hues of Japanese maples are illuminated all through the backyard.
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