February

Oyster Festival

Various locations, Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima is famous throughout Japan for its oysters and oyster festivals are held in Hiroshima city, Miyajima Island and various other fishing towns along the coast.

3-5 May

Hiroshima Flower Festival

Hiroshima city

A festival calling for peace with flowers, music and various other forms of entertainment.  This festival attracts visitors from around the world.

3-31 May

Sea Bream Netting Festival

Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture

Ancient-style fishing is demonstrated onboard tourist boats.

Mid July

Kangensai

Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture

Decorated boats are towed from the Torii gate at Itsukushima to the opposite shore with Shinto rituals and classical bugaku dance being performed onboard.

6 August

Peace Ceremony

Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima

This solemn ceremony is held annually on the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945.  In the evening, thousands of paper lanterns float along the Ota River to pray for world peace.

9-11 August

Yassa Festival

Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture

A lively festival featuring traditional music and dance.

14 August

Suichu Hanabi Taikai

Itukushima Shrine, Hiroshima

This festival features the biggest fireworks display in Western Japan, with the fireworks being launched over the bay with the famous Torii gate as a backdrop.

3 November

Bechya Festival

Kibitsu-hiko Shrine, Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture

Men wear masks or dress as lions and run through the crowded streets looking for children.  They then “beat” the children with their bamboo whips.  Locals believed that children who are “beaten” in this manner will be safe from illness for the following year.

15 November

Shichi-Go-San Festival

Nationwide

Children age three, five and seven years are dressed in kimono and taken to shrines to pray for their future health and good fortune.

18-20 November

Ebisu-san Festival

Ebisu Shrine, Hiroshima City

A festival dedicated to Ebisu-san, the god of commerce.  Local shops have great bargains and street vendors line the streets during this festive time.