https://shizuokamatsuri.com/en Shizuoka Festival started in 1957 as a citizen's festival following the legend that Ieyasu Tokugawa took his vassals to Sunpu to see the cherry blossoms. The festival is popular as a festival of cherry blossoms in bloom, with the "O-Gosho Hanami Parade" as the main attraction. The 67th festival will be held from Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2, 2023, centered around Sunpu Castle and the downtown area, which is close to Shizuoka Station. We hope you'll stop by and take a look. Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:21:42 +0000 ja hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 188462513 https://shizuokamatsuri.com/en/news/70thdays/ Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:00:15 +0000 https://shizuokamatsuri.com/en/?post_type=news&p=892 Overview of the 70th Shizuoka Festival
Since the 40th festival, the Shizuoka Festival has been organized under a citizens’ executive committee format. Despite interruptions caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival has continued to build its legacy. This year’s 70th Shizuoka Festival will once again be held as a celebration created together with the citizens.
Carrying forward the spirit of a festival handed down from the administration to the citizens, and cherished as an occasion where people gather, the event draws upon the prosperity of politics, economy, and culture during the Sunpu Ōgosho Era under Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as the flourishing of scholarship, performing arts, and town development in the Imagawa Era. Centered around the “Sunpu Procession,” the “Ōgosho Cherry Blossom Parade,” and the “Castle Town Grand Dance – Yozakura Ranbu,” the festival offers opportunities both to participate and to spectate. Through these events, the living history and culture of Sunpu will be handed down to future generations, and the Shizuoka Festival will continue to advance as one of Shizuoka City’s representative celebrations.
Festival Period
Shizuoka Festival (Overall)
April 3 (Fri) – April 5 (Sun), 2026
Sunpu Castle Park and Aoba Square Venues
April 3 (Fri) – April 5 (Sun), 2026
Ōgosho Cherry Blossom Parade, Sunpu Procession, and Yozakura Ranbu
April 4 (Sat) – April 5 (Sun), 2026
Details of the event schedule and programs will be announced as they are finalized.
Overview of Festival Events
[Sunpu Castle Park Venue]
In front of the Grand Performance Stage → Sunpu Yatai Village featuring local food and drink stalls
Sunpu Grand Performance Stage → Stage performances by various groups
Other areas → Sunpu Komachi Teahouse, Yume Plaza, and a variety of other attractions
[Aoba Venue]
Shin-Tamagawaza Stage → Traditional Japanese street performances and group stage shows
Children’s festival area with kids’ stalls, food booths, and family-friendly activities
[Central Downtown Area]
Yozakura Ranbu (Nighttime Cherry Blossom Dance)
Sunpu Procession
Music Parade and other events

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