Kawashita Festival Brings People Together
Hyogo, Japan
Fri, 18 July 2025 Friday, 18 July 2025
Culture/Lifestyle
2 – 3 minutesEvery summer, a small town in Hyogo, Japan holds a special event called the Kawashita Festival. It takes place in Hamasaka, a seaside town, and has been celebrated for more than 400 years.
One of the main events is the Kirin Lion Dance. This dance shows a creature with a long neck, like a giraffe, called a kirin. Local people wear costumes and move through the streets with music and drums. The dance is fun to watch and is a big part of the area’s culture.
At night, the sky lights up with over 3,000 fireworks. Many families and visitors sit by the sea to enjoy the show. Some bring snacks and picnic while they wait. The fireworks are colourful and exciting, and many people take photos.
The festival also has food stalls, games, and lights. Children can win prizes, and there are many tasty things to eat. Even though some parts of the festival are modern, it still keeps many old traditions.
The Kawashita Festival is a time for people to come together. It helps the community feel strong and proud. For many, it is a happy and important part of summer.