Just Another List: Festivals in Hyogo, August 2015
So you want to see a summer festival this year? Chances are that whatever town you find yourself living in will have a perfectly lovely matsuri or three all prepared. However, if you want to venture elsewhere in our fine prefecture here’s a few you may have heard of.
Dekansho Matsuri
City: Sasayama
Place: Sasayama Castle Grounds
What: Eponymous summer festival; food stalls, games, fireworks, and dancing the dekansho dance.
When: August 15 & 16
10am-9pm more activities as the evening falls
Yodo River Fireworks Festival
City: Osaka
Place: The banks of the Yodo River from Shin Midosuji Yodogawa Railway Bridge to National Highway Route 2.
What: Fireworks!
When: August 4
7:50-10:40pm get there early to find a spot!
Daimonji Fire Festival
City: Kyoto (not in Hyogo, but the neighboring prefecture)
Place: many viewing spots, in particular along the Kamo River, between Sanjo and Imadegawa Streets
What: Bonfires are lit in the shapes of giant kanji and shapes on the mountains around the city.
When: August 16
First fire lit at 8pm
Awajishima Matsuri
City: Sumoto
Place: Ohama Beach
What: Many parades, festival food, and fireworks
When:July 31- August 1, Special Fireworks on August 2
Evening, Fireworks start 8pm
Kobe Fireworks Festival
City: Kobe
Place: Meriken Park, walk 15 minutes southbound from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station
What: Fireworks!
When: August 8
7:30-8:30pm
Kinosaki Furusato Onsen Matsuri
City: Kinosaki
Place: Onsen Town (along the river North of Kinosakionsen Station)
What: Yukata contest, food stalls, onsen, fireworks
When: August 4
4pm- about 10pm
Compiled by Dana Warren
