As part of our list of resources for visitors to Kobe, here is a list of festivals in Kobe, Japan. Kobe has a wide variety of festivals that visitors can experience the changes of seasons throughout the year.
Lists Of Festivals In Kobe
– The Lunar New Year festival at Kobe Chinatown (January)
– BesNagata Shrine Traditional Tsuina Ceremony (February)
– Oktoberfest at Kobe (April)
– Danjiri Festival (May)
– Kobe Festival and Parade (May)
– Kobe Minato Festival (July)
– Kobe Umino Bon Odori (August)
– Summer Festival at Minatogawa Shrine (August)
– Mid-Autumn Festival at Kobe Chinatown (September)
– Mashup Festival Kobe (October)
– India Mela (October)
– Kobe Jazz Street (October)
– Kobe Christmas Market (November – December)
Also see our guide to Kobe events for other types of events in Kobe City.
The Lunar New Year Festival at Kobe Chinatown
Date: (It depends on the lunar calendar)
Time: 10:00 17:00
Location: Nankin-machi, Kobe
Website: https://www.nankinmachi.or.jp/
The Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year in Kobe, is a huge celebration in many Asian countries. Kobe Chinatown celebrates the Lunar New Year with powerful lion dances and Chinese traditional performing arts.
Nagata Shrine Traditional Tsuina Ceremony
Date: 3rd of February
Time: 12:30 – 2:00
Location: 3-1-1 Nagatacho, Nagata-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 653-0812
Website: https://nagatajinja.jp/gyouji/tsuinashiki.php
The Nagata Shrine Traditional Tsuina Ceremony is held at Nagata Shrine in Hyogo. This ritual serves the Oni (demon) as messengers of gods; their role is to purify all misfortunes on behalf of the gods; the shrine demons dance to pray for a fresh new year.
Oktoberfest at Kobe
Date: End of April to beginning of May
Time: 15:00 – 20:00
Location: Takahama Wharf Event Space
Website: https://okt-fest.com/
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest folk festival in Munich, Germany, celebrated with parades, dancing, orchestras, drinking, and games. Kobe is one of the places in Japan where Oktoberfest is celebrated; offering beer, food, and live music performances.
Danjiri Festival
Date: 3rd to 5th of May
Time: Depends on the area
Location: Higashinada Ward
Website: https://www.uhara-danjiri.jp/
The Danjiri Festival refers to a general term for festivals in which people pull dashi (festival floats) used in shrine ceremonies to pray for a good harvest of grains. Kobe has a unique Danjiri style as people dance on the top of the floats while putting on make-up.
Kobe Festival and Parade
Date: The third Saturday of May
Time: 11:00 – 17:00
Location: Sannomiya area
Website: https://kobe-matsuri.com/
The Kobe Festival takes place in the streets around Sannomiya Station. What is known today as the Kobe Festival was formed in 1971 by merging two previous events.
In 1933, the mayor of Kobe created the citizens’ festival, called Minatomatsuri (based in part on inspiration from a visit from Portland, OR officials). In the 1960s, Kobe had another event called Kobe Carnival; which included parades with singing, dancing, and costumes, mural paintings by artist groups, and a youth plaza for young people. These two events became the basis for the Kobe Festival.
Kobe Minato Festival
Date: July
Time: 10:00 – 19:30
Location: 2-2 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo 650-0042
Website: https://minatomatsuri.jp/about/
The Kobe Minato Festival is held to express appreciation for the port, and the sea that supports the city of Kobe. The festival features a variety of performances, such as dancing and singing, which people of all ages can enjoy together.
Kobe Umino Bon Odori
Date: August
Time: 18:00 – 20:30
Location: Meriken Park
Website: https://www.instagram.com/kobeumibon/?hl=ja
Kobe Umi no Bon Odori is an event where participants can dance to famous folk songs from around Japan (as well as folk songs connected to Kobe), accompanied by powerful live music and singing. The event is held at Meriken Park, and brings visitors of all ages and nationalities together in a circle to enjoy dancing as one.
Summer Festival at Minatogawa Shrine
Date: 22th to 26th August
Time: Depends on the day
Location: Minatogawa Shrine
Website: https://www.minatogawajinja.or.jp/natumaturi/
During the Summer Festival, the Minatogawa Shrine is decorated with many lanterns to honor and console the spirits. Visitors can enjoy various activities and foods, as there are spaces where everyone can dance together and many stalls are set up throughout the grounds.
Mid-Autumn Festival at Kobe Chinatown
Date: Follow the lunar calendar
Time: 10:00 17:00
Location: Nankin-machi, Kobe
Website: https://www.nankinmachi.or.jp/
Mid-Autumn Festival is a ceremony for the autumn harvest. Mid-Autumn Festival is the second largest festival at Kobe Chinatown.
MASHUP FESTIVAL Kobe
Date: October
Time: 10:00 – 19:00
Location: Bay area including Meriken Park
Website: https://mashup-fes.com/
Mashup Festival Kobe is the largest music event in Hyogo Prefecture. It brings together seven different music festivals and takes place over two days. The event features a lot of artists performing across various genres, along with many food stalls and vendor booths.
India Mela
Date: October
Time: 10:00 – 20:00
Location: Meriken Park
Website: https://india-mela.com/
India Mela is one of the largest Indian festivals in western Japan, where visitors can experience Indian culture, music, dance, and cuisine all in one place. It has been held in Kobe since 2010 under the theme of “introducing Indian culture to more people in Japan.” On the stage, a variety of performances are presented, including traditional Indian classical dance, Bollywood dance, live music performances, and yoga. There are also food stalls offering a wide range of Indian dishes and sweets as well as booths selling handicrafts and fashion items.
Kobe Jazz Street
Date: October
Time: 12:00 – 17:00
Location: Check the website
Website: https://www.kobejazzstreet.gr.jp/
Kobe Jazz Street began 38 years ago and continues to feature the same style of jazz that has been preserved in the city since the post–World War II period. Each year, jazz musicians from Japan and Europe collaborate (a popular aspect of the Kobe Jazz Street program). Both professional and amateur performers take part, and the event includes a variety of styles and performances by both small combos and big bands.
Kobe Christmas Market
Date: November to December
Time: 9:30～20:15
Location: Nunobiki Herb Gardens
Website: https://www.kobeherb.com/tips/kobechristmasmarket/index.html#guideMap
The Kobe Christmas Market is held at the Nunobiki Herb Gardens, a popular tourist spot in Kobe. Visitors can take the ropeway to enjoy the market. The gardens are decorated with Christmas lights, and there are several spots with beautiful night views. The market is located at the top of the herb gardens. In November, visitors can also enjoy the autumn scenery in the gardens.
See Also
— Population of Kobe
— Neighborhoods in Kobe, Japan
— Shopping places in Kobe, Japan
— Department stores in Kobe, Japan
— Major train stations in Kobe, Japan
— Kobe Airport in Kobe city, Japan
— A boat service between Kobe and Osaka
— Train Lines, Shinkansen and Subway in Kobe, Japan
— Temples and Shrines in Kobe, Japan
— Events in Kobe, Japan
— Hot springs and onsen in Kobe, Japan
— Popular museums in Kobe, Japan
— Parks and gardens in Kobe, Japan
— Public swimming pools in Kobe
— Japanese language schools in Kobe, Japan
— Colleges and Universities in Kobe, Japan
— International schools in Kobe
— English speaking immigration lawyers in Kobe
— Co-working spaces in Kobe
— Tax specialists that speak English in Kobe
And Also:
— Festivals in Osaka, Japan
— Festivals in Nagoya, Japan (and the Ume no Hi Port Festival in Nagoya)
— Festivals in Sapporo, the Sapporo Snow Festival, and the biggest events in Sapporo, Japan