A brilliant celebration for Kobe residents, with samba and music bringing the city to life
Kobe Festival
The 2026 edition of Kobe Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/05/17Ended
- Season / frequency
- May / Every year
- Location
- Sannomiya, Former Foreign Settlement, and Waterfront Area
- Area
- Hyogo Prefecture・Kobe City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 40 min–3 h 10 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A festival open to public participation, with parades, a mass dance, music, dance, and markets taking place throughout Kobe.
About Kobe Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: 663highland File:2010 Kobe Matsuri00s3s4050.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Kobe Festival began in 1971 as a festival organized by the Kobe Citizens’ Festival Association and open to public participation.
Centered around Sannomiya and the former foreign settlement, the festival features local festivals in the city’s various wards, parades, stage performances, markets, and more.
Rather than a traditional religious festival, it is an urban festival that brings the diverse creative expressions of residents and groups to the streets of Kobe.
Source: 神戸まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The highlight is the festival parade, featuring samba teams, marching bands, and more.
In 2026, the parade will follow a new route from Kyomachi-suji to Sannomiya Chuo-dori, and a mass dance performed by around 600 members of women’s associations will also take place.
Stages at Higashi Yuenchi and elsewhere feature an ongoing program of dance, singing, drumming, and jazz, while food stalls and markets offer a chance to enjoy Kobe’s food and products.
Source: 第53回神戸まつり
A brilliant celebration for Kobe residents, with samba and music bringing the city to life
What to expect
The day begins with an opening event near the intersection of Kyomachi-suji and Hanadokei-sen, followed by a mass dance on Sannomiya Chuo-dori and the festival parade.
Stages throughout the venues feature simultaneous performances of dance, singing, samba, taiko drumming, jazz, and more.
You can also spend time exploring the markets, food-stall village, food trucks, sports activities, and more at the venues.
Source: イベント情報 ｜ 第53回神戸まつり
How to take part
General visitors can watch or enjoy the parade, stage performances, market, sports activities, and more.
Groups wishing to perform must apply and go through a selection process; applications are open to groups from both inside and outside the city.
Applications for groups wishing to participate in the 2026 parade and stage performances have closed, and there are no plans to recruit individual volunteers.
Groups wishing to perform should apply using the application form on the official website and go through a selection process.
The application period for groups wishing to participate in 2026 ran from January 5 to February 2, and applications are now closed.
Applications were also invited from groups and individuals for citizen-proposed events, but applications for that year have closed.
Source: よくある質問 ｜ 第53回神戸まつり / 市民提案型イベント募集要項 ｜ 第53回神戸まつり
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around the Sannomiya Former Foreign Settlement and waterfront area.
The main venues include Kyomachi-suji, Sannomiya Chuo-dori, Higashi Yuenchi Park, in front of Kodomo Hon no Mori, and TOTTEI PARK.
- Train and bus
Bus stops and routes will be temporarily changed on the day due to traffic restrictions.
Please check the Kobe City Transportation Bureau and Shinki Bus notices for details.
- By car
Traffic restrictions will be in effect all day around the Former Foreign Settlement, and vehicles will generally not be allowed to enter while the restrictions are in effect.
- Parking
Nearby parking lots within the traffic-restricted area will not be available.
As crowds are expected around the venues, visitors are advised to use public transportation.
Event venue 兵庫県神戸市 三宮旧居留地
This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 Main Festival was announced as scheduled for May 17 (Sunday), from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The festivals in the various wards are scheduled from May 9 through the 30th, the Kobe Port Cutter Race on May 10, and the harbor events on May 13.
It is usually held in May, with events spanning multiple days when activities in the various wards are included.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Hyogo Prefecture / Kobe City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
In 2026, traffic restrictions will be in place all day around the Former Foreign Settlement, and vehicles will generally not be allowed to enter while the restrictions are in effect.
Bus stops and routes will also be temporarily changed, so visitors are advised to travel by public transportation rather than by car.
The venues span several streets and parks, so it will be easier to get around if you check in advance where and when the parades and stages you want to see will take place.
Nearby attractions
人と防災未来センター
兵庫県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
兵庫県立美術館
兵庫県神戸市「HAT神戸」にある美術館
布引ハーブ園
兵庫県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
生田神社
神戸市中央区にある神社
白鶴美術館
兵庫県神戸市東灘区にある美術館
写真：Original uploader was 663highland at ja.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo source ·
神戸どうぶつ王国
兵庫県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
神戸ポートタワー
神戸港にあるタワー
神戸市立博物館
神戸市中央区京町にある博物館
神戸市立小磯記念美術館
神戸市東灘区にある美術館
Origins and History of Kobe Festival
The Kobe Festival’s predecessors include Minato Matsuri, which began in 1933, the 1967 celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the opening of Kobe Port, and its eve-of-festival event, the Kobe Carnival.
Against this backdrop, the Kobe Festival in its current form began in 1971.
The 25th festival, scheduled for 1995, was canceled due to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Since 2002, the festival has once again been held in May.
Official information
Information on the 2026 event overview, activities, venues, applications from participating groups, traffic restrictions, and dates of festivals in the various wards is available on the official Kobe Festival website.
The website also has the latest information on the 53rd Kobe Festival, including times and venues for individual events.
Kobe Festival at a Glance
The Kobe Festival is open to public participation and offers parades, a mass dance, music and dance performances, and markets in Sannomiya, the former foreign settlement, and the waterfront area.
The 2026 Main Festival will be held on May 17, with the parade proceeding from Kyomachi-suji to Sannomiya Chuo-dori.
Traffic restrictions will be in effect, so it is recommended that you use public transportation and check the schedules for the various venues before visiting.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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